When an interviewer asks about a layoff, a resume gap, or a short stint that didn’t work out, the goal isn’t to defend the past. It’s to show judgment, growth, and readiness for what’s next. In this episode, we walk through a simple narrative framework you can adapt to any uncomfortable situation: set the context briefly, name the decision you made, highlight the skills and results you built during or after the experience, and connect it directly to the role in front of you. You’ll hear examples for gaps, restructurings, performance issues, and culture misalignments, plus quick scripts you can practice to sound clear and calm under pressure. We’ll also cover how to avoid oversharing, how to keep emotions in check without sounding robotic, and how to end with a forward-looking close that refocuses the conversation on your value to the team. If you’re job searching in biotech or planning a move in the next six months, this is a repeat-listen episode.

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00:00 Why awkward questions derail good interviews

01:12 The formula to create a narrative for tough situations

03:05 Handling layoffs and restructurings without sounding defensive

05:02 What to say about resume gaps (caregiving, health, re-skilling)

07:10 Turning short stints and job hops into a story of good judgment

09:06 Addressing performance issues and what changed

11:02 How to avoid oversharing and manage tone

12:15 Forward-looking closes that refocus on value

13:30 Quick practice scripts you can adapt today

15:10 Final checklist before your next interview