As you are only given a CV and creative freedom to make up things about your candidate, it is difficult to think of things to say to justify your answers. Example: CLIENT: This candidate has a gap on their CV, whats the reason for that? ME: They went travelling. CANDIDATE: Why? ME: To increase their fluency in their foreign language skills. CLIENT: Which languages? ME: French, German and Spanish None of this info was on their CV, but we spent a large part of the role play talking about it. You are being asked about something that doesn't exist, and only have 5 minutes preparation. My advice would be to use personal thing so you can keep the reasoning straight in your mind. Also remember "MOTIVATION" Why is your candidate leaving their current role.