Questions on Career Gap can be disappointing for any job hopeful. Most of the time career gap happens because of the reasons, which are completely beyond the control of an individual. It can be slow economy or lack of opportunities in a particular field or simple indolence of a person. In case you got career gap because of some professional course or health reasons then most likely the interviewer would not grill you for that. However, in case the gap happens because of reasons other than health or professional course then get ready for the volleys of questions on your career gap. Anyway, just like any other dreadful questions, which are commonly, asked in the interviews you could use this question for your own benefit.
If you really want to make an impression while answering this question then tell the interviewer about the things that you learnt during the gap period. Don’t be too straight in your reply and talk less about your experiences but elaborate on enhancements in your professional competency you got from the experience. If you lost your previous job because of slow economy or bad financial performance of the company, then be straight and tell the real fact to the interviewer, most likely you will get some positive points, as interviewers are also aware of the current trends in their industry.
For those who are having career cap because of sheer lethargy, it is too hard to defend and please do not tell the interviewer that you were out of job because you did not want to burden yourself with professional responsibilities. In this case, you may say that after a long and busy professional stint your body and mind was in desperate need of rest and now you think that your body is well refreshed and you are ready for another long and successful stint.