Bad experience led me to quit in this crazy market, how can I explain a gap?

6 Comments

1. AnonymousOctober 13,2023 at 9:16PM UTC

   First, be confident and unapologetic. Prepare a brief summary (2-3 sentences) stating that it was not a good fit where you can contribute fully to the company and utilize your skills etc, so you decided to leave to look for other opportunities. If you are confident and able to demonstrate your knowledge and experience, it shouldn't be a problem.

2. AnonymousOctober 17,2023 at 12:22PM UTC

   It sounds like you needed time to take care of your health. That is completely valid and should be appreciated by a future employer that you're ready to work. Another option would be to say that the previous position was not a good fit and you needed time to consider your next career move, which demonstrates that you've put thought into what you need and want and think they would be a better fit. Good luck!

3. AnonymousOctober 17,2023 at 3:01PM UTC

   Career sabbatical is what I see often; some folks just use the terminology "sabbatical" to keep things general.
   The beauty about a sabbatical is you control the narrative of how much (or little info) you want to share.

   I'd focus your sabbatical time in still doing things that make you feel good, whether that's you decided to travel during this time or go back to school to gain a cert, volunteer, write a book or, even if it about your health, that's okay to say too (you're not obligated to go in details about your health unless it impacts your ability to do a job). People have also used a sabbatical because they recently became a new parent or caregiver too.

   Career gaps are common! I have one on my resume/LinkedIn too and I used that time to travel and take bootcamp course, which allowed me to rebrand myself and get an entirely different career. I also chose to share those details on my profile but I definitely was unemployed for almost a year before I landed my job that I'm in now.

   Career gaps are common, but the most important thing is YOU are doing what's best for YOU. I sincerely hope you feel better soon. Don't worry too much about the gap! You aren't the first nor the last person to have one on their resume.

4. AnonymousOctober 17,2023 at 4:29PM UTC

   You can tell prospective employers a choice of a few things:

   Took time off for caregiving, now back on the market

   Took time off for getting certification in your field and wanted to focus full time on that.

   Misalignment with former employers growth trajectory and chose to leave to focus full time on work search and not on their dime.

   Travel because you never take vacation and now going back to work.

   All of these take it from a positive viewpoint vs badmouthing or negativity at previous company.

5. Lorraine HerreraOctober 18,2023 at 12:32PM UTC

   You quit for your health. In all honesty, I spend a year out of the job market because of a major surgery, I think most interviews I did didn’t even asked about the gap.

   Edit: You can say to solve some health issues and be more ready for another job. To avoid discrimination in the interview if they think is ongoing. You are not required to disclose health information in an interview, so they can’t ask you details about it. I always say my condition because I need accommodation and if they will discriminate, they better don’t give me the job at all. But if it doesn’t come from you, that basic information is perfectly ok.

6. AnonymousOctober 19,2023 at 12:48PM UTC

   1) Don’t explain unless asked

   2) Have an explanation that reassures the prospective employer that it won’t happen to them. Yes, employers should be understanding and care about mental health, but more than that they care about reliable employees. So, “I needed to reassess my goals, which is why I am so excited about using my skills in X to do Y ar your company,.” If you say anything about the last job “not being a good fit,” you need to say why this one will be a good fit, because what if you quit on them because you decide this isn’t it either?