Employment Gap..

5 Comments

1. AnonymousMarch 27,2025 at 12:29AM UTC

   Were you doing any volunteer or other work during the gap? Caring for parents or others can show that you were keeping your skills up during the gap.

2. AnonymousMarch 27,2025 at 1:37AM UTC

   Volunteering? Yes, go ahead and list it. Caring for family members (parents, kids, whoever)? Absolutely do not list that on your resume. It will only hurt your chances.

3. LauraMarch 27,2025 at 1:47AM UTC

   I work specifically with people who have career gaps and here are some of my top tips:

   Not sure what your field is but look into returnships (PathForward.org and iRelaunch.com are great starting points)

   Create connections with people in the industry/field you are looking to get back into, others who have had navigated back to the paid workforce after a gap and people who are at/or have knowledge of the companies you are interested in working at

   Have a clear idea of what you want out of your next position (with employment gaps people tend to have the take whatever mindset which actually can make the job process more frustrating)

   Make sure the gap is handled appropriately on your resume (keep the title simple and professional i.e career break, family leave, etc) and include a couple bullet points speaking to what you have been doing during your time that speaks to the position you are applying for

   For the above some suggestions would be strategic volunteering, joining appropriate professional organizations, upskilling by taking classes/certifications

   Have a clear game plan rather than blindly apply to jobs

   Take care of yourself and know it is a process but that you're going to find a company and role that is a fit for you!

   Good luck on your job search journey!

4. AnonymousMarch 27,2025 at 6:44PM UTC

   Previous recruiter, always fill in the gaps with something. The further away you are from working maybe in a niche industry or job, the more challenging. Look at your other skills and see if you can find jobs that align. And update your resume when applying to highlight those skills. I had a long gap but I filled it with contract work. It helped me get the job I'm in and though it was a huge step back financially, it has kept me employed. Even if you took a gap to help care for family, put that with a date range just like you would a job you're paid for, and see if that helps. But leaving nothing after the last full-time role, can sometimes put you in the "no" pile. Peak the interest of others by highlighting the skills you have and making sure they are listed in the descriptions.

5. Barbara SoninMarch 28,2025 at 4:40PM UTC

   A gap of that length should be explained. I just hired a person who had a year gap. They explained that after getting their degree, they decided to travel for half a year and then help their mother build a house in Mexico. Those experiences probably added more to their contribution as an employee than a year in an entry-level job would have.