I've recently begun to SERIOUSLY actively job hunt after a few years of being unemployed.

8 Comments

1. Dr. Patty GrossAugust 9,2025 at 9:42PM UTC

   Since the gap is more than a year, be sure to include "family caregiver" to cover that part of the gap. You don't want to work at any place that has a problem with that on your resume.

   Include any other continuing education or professional development you have also been doing, and if appropriate, try to up-skill through more continuing education because that can generate leads for you.

   I'm not sure what type of writing you do, but if you are a journalist, several independent news agencies are starting up in this part of the country (mid-Atlantic), and you may want to check them out.

   Include the "side gigs" in your resume as contract work.

2. AnonymousAugust 10,2025 at 5:03PM UTC

   Yes, the job market is drastically different, thanks to AI and more recently, administration changes, DOGE layoffs, tariffs, etc. Are you on LinkedIn? LI has instituted a 'career break' placeholder in the Experience section. You can do the same in your resume. Career break, i would lean into the family caregiving as the reason and play up the writing side gigs, also anything else you did that can show job skills. Join a club? Volunteer anywhere (doesn't have to be regular basis). Don't worry, plenty of folks have gaps since 2020, it's more about how to address it. Good luck!

3. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistAugust 10,2025 at 11:42PM UTC

   I would recommend you list that time block on your resume as "Family Leave" and just say you were caring for an elderly family member in interviews - no details needed.

   And the job market is very different from 2015 - there are scammers everywhere so please beware.

4. GirlBossanova934974August 11,2025 at 1:29PM UTC

   As others have said, put in family leave and family caregiver for those two years. The job market is very different than 10 years ago. We have a lot more people who have employment who are trying to bail out of their current bad job situation. We have a lot more inexperienced "managers: (in title only) out there. I wouldn't read too much into the AI headlines. Some HR groups are still doing their jobs. Just like they were 10 years ago. Your LInkdedIN profile must be filled out if you want any calls from recruiters. However, applying to LinkedIn jobs which used to be a good idea 10 years ago is now a bad idea as they are far too many submitted AI resumes to those jobs aka way too many job seekers and way too few jobs. Your best bet is hybrid local jobs.

5. Heidi ClareAugust 13,2025 at 2:15PM UTC

   Copy and Paste this post into Chat GPT and see what it suggests to do. There is also a feature on Linkedin where you can add a career break instead of a job, you can add that to explain the gap.

6. AnonymousAugust 14,2025 at 1:50PM UTC

   Only one suggestion: maybe "elder care" rather than "family leave"? So many people are in the generation that carries added responsibilities for elderly parents, it might generate fewer questions - I'm not sure what "family leave" means - and if you're lucky, a bit of sympathy. Just a thought.

7. AnonymousAugust 14,2025 at 4:51PM UTC

   Congratulations on getting past your cancer diagnosis! that is worthy of a celebration. Here is what to say. " During COVID I had to deal with elder care and that consumed my time at home. After we moved my family (don't disclose who) into my home our company had a significant downturn and let go of the whole team. I took this time to focus full time on their care until their passing and now and prepared to go back full time to work". Don't hesitate to steal that word for word if it works for you. It shows that you took on more than what you could them company failed then you focused.

   You could add that during this time you took classes to strengthen your experience in XYZ which will help you in the next role. Use your references to introduce you places and do be prepared for a long search as many companies have demolished their internal talent teams due to costs. Good luck!

8. Krystin MorganAugust 14,2025 at 5:02PM UTC

   Hi! I'm a resume writer and I've helped folks with similar gaps.

   I would recommend keeping it light and simple. A few options:

   1. On your resume, create a current position for freelance writing and add a bullet or two to show what you've been doing.
   2. Alternatively, add a "position" that is simply "Family caregiving - Date-Date" to show that you intentionally took that break. I would not add anything about the specifics OR your own health issues (and I'm glad your treatment is under control!)

   In an interview, if you're asked about it, you could say something like, "I was laid off and I chose to take some time to care for a family member and address some health issues while freelancing. Everything is going well now and I'm excited to get back into a full-time role. This one particularly excites me because..." and use it as a way to talk about your interest in the role + how your skills are a match.