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Explaining an 8-Month Gap in My Resume

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Explaining an 8-Month Gap in My Resume

In January, I was laid off and decided to take some time to reflect before diving back into job searching. Currently, I am one month into my job hunt.

During a pre-interview with an external recruiter, I was questioned about the employment gap. When I honestly explained that I took some time off and recently began applying for jobs, it wasn't received positively by the recruiter. They mentioned that the CEO, whom I will be meeting with, might require more information.

Any suggestions or advice on how to handle this situation would be greatly appreciated.

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  1. Lisa Kahler

    what does "reflect" mean?

    Also, people are laid off all the time (more so recently). I've never been asked "why so long"... everyone is aware of the job market. Its not uncommon to go several months to find the next adventure.

  2. Anonymous

    Laid off should have been end of story.

    If they require more "I decided to use this unexpected opportunity to make thoughtful decisions on where I take my career next."

  3. Anonymous

    This is a weird comment from the recruiter. In today's climate, a layoff is extremely common and really wouldn't require further elaboration.

    I think this recruiter is extremely cautious. Honestly I would be surprised if the CEO would dig on thus beyond what you've offered.

  4. Anonymous

    Actually, most recruiters today don't even care about a gap any more. Life happens. They say that is someone asks, it could be a red flag. They could be looking for something to not move you along.

  5. Debra Sesholtz

    Surprised by the recruiters reaction. Lots of people take time after being laid off. I wouldn’t be so concerned. If you are concerned that the CEO might want more info, prepare by coming up with a statement that you are comfortable using such as “this lay off gave me an opportunity to evaluate where I want to take my career next before jumping into my job search.” If you also used your time off to do something else, like travel, spend time with family, etc. I would also add something to the effect “it also opened up an unexpected opportunity for me to accomplish some things I have been wanting to do.” Good luck with your interview!

  6. Anonymous

    People generally don't expect to be laid off and when it hits them, they have nothing else lined up. It takes a different amt of time for all of us to start looking again. If you did anything like building skills (however you want to define that) mention it. I think that's enough. If it's not, then I think this ceo would be hard to work for. Good luck.

  7. Anonymous

    It might be that the recruiter isn’t sure that’s the truth. Very few people have the luxury of taking time off for self-reflection. The recruiter might think that’s your interview answer and not the truth so I would consider giving a little more detail about what you did and why.

  8. Anonymous

    If you were latex off that’s all they need to know. If it was for personal reasons that’s all you need to say.

  9. Elizabeth Hicks

    you need to talk about how you reskilled to be competitive or what you did, so they don't think you just sat in unemployment- which runs out in about the same time frame (which also isn't their business, but people are rude). I also got laid off twice during covid for budget cuts and the second time I was fed up and changed career fields. I told them I reevaluated the marketplace and where things were going and decided on a new path with a better long term outlook. only one person I interviewed with really didn't like my answer and directly accused me of job hopping, but in the end he was unprofessional in multiple ways and I don't think I would have been happy there, unlike the job I have now. keep fighting.

  10. Katherine Metres Akbar, Interview Coach & Resume Expert

    This is just one person's take. I wouldn't sweat it. Just give a brief, positive, true explanation so that both parties can move onto how you can meet their needs. I recommend you take away the awkwardness of being grilled about this by building it into your opening statement that you will make at the beginning of your interview with the CEO. For example: I'm delighted to meet with you, Ms. Brown, because this role is exactly what I've been looking for. After being laid off in January, I took some time to decompress and reflect on what I most wanted for my next job. I decided that, while my technical skills are strong, I most wanted a role where I could exercise my leadership skills as a project manager. I get the most satisfaction from shepherding a team to delivering exactly what a client wants on time and on budget. And a few reasons I might be the person you most need--although of course I want to hear from you about that in more detail--include ...

    I hope this helps. Best wishes, and feel free to call on me if I can help more!

  11. Anonymous

    If the CEO asks then I would give them your honest answer. Taking a break to reset after a layoff is not uncommon. And in today's job market, a job gap of several months or even a year is not uncommon, since it takes time to find a new job.

  12. Anonymous

    This recruiter has a narrow and old fashions view of a gap. This is so common now, I think you don't have to explain it beyond being honest. That shows you have confidence in your decisions and current situation. And it takes time to find a job, it usually doesn't happen over night so a few months seems very normal to me. good luck!

  13. Anonymous

    I was laid off last November, while 20 weeks pregnant. I was high-risk and had A LOT of doctor appointments .. it was also the holidays .. I opted to wait to seriously job hunt. I really didn't start looking seriously until after my twins were born and ultimately its been collectively 9-months .. obviously I don't drop during a recruiter call "I was pregnant, I have newborns, etc" that is way too much information and personal information at that. I just politely say "I was laid off and took some time to relax before really preparing to jump into a new role. I now feel ready and eager to get back to things after a nice break" I have not had any issues with anyone not saying "oh that sounds lovely" and moving right along.

    You can also just nicely say you've been looking but only applying to roles you really think would be a good next step for you. I think that shows you're being active but selective and that can take some time. I think I would also enjoy hearing that as a recruiter or hiring manager personally. Either way in this climate taking time to find your next role seems to be the norm. Its rough, there is a lot of competition, not only from people who are also in the laid off boat but also people who just want to change jobs for whatever reason. It's cut throat. Don't get down that its been a few months.

  14. Heather (she/her)

    I'd recommend sticking with honesty - you were laid off, and then you spent some time reevaluating your opportunities and refining your skills so that you were ready for your next steps. Anyone who sees that as unrelatable or a negative probably isn't someone you want to work with.

  15. Anonymous

    Why the hell is honesty the preferred choice with this thorny and impossible subject? Since when are CEOs and HR people honest?

  16. Heather (she/her)

    Because being honest helps you not only maintain your own integrity, but judge theirs. If being honest holds you back, you don't want to work for that company. I've worked for many honest CEOs and with a lot of honest HR people.

  17. Elizabeth

    Yeah, telling them honesty is a good thing. Letting them know you wanted to wait to find what your passionate about helps. It lets them know you want to care about your next role.

  18. Lauren Winchester

    Honesty is always the best policy, but if you’d rather not be questioned you could say you’re under an NDA.

  19. Anonymous

    Honest answers are the best answers. Most thoughtful people will take time off as you did. Simply answer the question and move on. Then don’t say anything else. Good luck.

  20. Anonymous

    If you have the financial ability to take time off between gigs to consider your options and you’re now choosing to apply to that company it shows you’ve been thoughtful about where you want to work and not just looking for any old job. The CEO should see that as a sign of future dedication if you frame it that way.

  21. Krystin Morgan

    I think anyone who would judge you for taking time off to reflect and regroup is not someone you'd want to work for.

    You could, of course, try to talk it up a bit by saying you took some time off to really get clear on your next professional move, spend time with family, and did XYZ to learn & stay current on your industry (reading, researching, events, whatever). That will make it clear that you didn't just "take time off" (even though there should be nothing wrong with that!) and that you were still thinking about your professional experience.

  22. Anonymous

    Absolutely, Most recruiters will look to find holes in your experience that can be explained because they may know it will come up in conversation down the path. It's not a bad thing. I would script out what you will say to the CEO and bring it up before they do.

    Something like this.

    When I was laid off as part of a RIF from my former company along with 10% of the rest of the team, I was given a small severance and took the time after the exit to take a long look at where my career trajectory was going to go next. As I was with my former company for X years it seemed appropriate without the pressures of a job search while employed to do this for myself so that when I re-commit somewhere new it was for the long term. Here is what I found out during that time, I took a class in ABC, strengthened my skills in FGH- (something in their job description) and otherwise did research on the types of companies that I would like to consider next in my career. I did take 2 months to spend with family and friends as well during that time.

    Now you see how it is filled with good stuff! And you also give yourself a bit of a vacay in there but at the end of the sentence.

    Feel free to steal this post word for word if it helps you. Good luck. And remember CEO's are people just like us, be yourself don't worry about their title its just words and they are the same as you and I. Tell them who you are and why you want to work there and why they should hire you! You got this sister!

  23. Anonymous

    Recruiters & HR professionals were brutal about my gap. Some recruiters acted like they didn’t even know about all these corporate layoffs in text. Statistics show that most people will have a gap at some point in their career. Some of these corporate drones would never have a gap because they only have their career (nothing else in life) & they simp for employers.

    as this post says have a script ready and lie if you must. I did and got hired.

  24. Anonymous

    Any place where you were mistreated in the process by anyone no matter their dept is not a place you should consider working. Recruiters & HR people in the interview processes role is to vet qualified candidates and often at the direction of a hiring manager told to discredit those who have gaps. I once worked for a company running the talent function and a hiring manager told me to discredit anyone who was over 30. Needless to say being ethical and non-biased I showed her qualified people most of whom were over that age because what she expected was "young and hungry" remember that phrase? I was only the facilitator and refused to follow her direction. She was fired soon after and the person we hired became her replacement. Not all Recruiters & HR people are bad...and I am sure in your field of expertise the same is true. I'm really tired of people universally bashing recruiters. Please stop!

  25. surfnwrite

    If a recruiter or HR person is brutal about a gap, go somewhere else. It only gets worse from there.

  26. Anonymous

    CEO are not like us at all.

  27. C M Fallin

    Work gaps are no one's business and people need to stop asking. If I found out my recruiter was asking this, they would be told to never do so again.

  28. Anonymous

    I would not work for them. I had a 30 yr due to child raising and cancer. Peooooe don’t like it-oh well. I’ll work somewhere else, maybe,

  29. Hannah Goldberg

    You have 2 choices.

    tell them you signed a non disclosure agreement

    or

    Tell them that this recession is significantly worse than 2008 and joe biden is absolutely full of shit about our Economy. Tell them you’ve been looking for over 8 months and submitting over 30-70 applications per day like the rest of us.

    then tell the recruiter to get her resume ready cause she’s probably up next on the chopping block.

  30. Hold on Lee Lou

    This is unhinged.

  31. Anonymous

    Lol so true

  32. Hannah Goldberg

    I know.

  33. Anonymous

    Yeah maybe she should not mention politics and no this recession is not worse than 2008. Plus the reason she has an extended break (which isn't really that long) is that she chose to. So not Joe Biden's fault.

  34. Anonymous

    I approve this message! I was literally applying to 100’s of jobs per month for almost a year... I find that question to be ridiculous and far from reality. Another example of people in positions that were not impacted by the pandemic and can’t even relate to what others have gone through.. some, still going through. It was an 8 month gap not 5 years..the world has gone through a lot in the last 3 years and if someone decided to take time off for any reason , that’s their prerogative anyway! We are not robots! The world was literally turned upside down! Period!

  35. Hannah Goldberg

    somedays I feel like I’ll never get a fkn job. It’s so discouraging

  36. Anonymous

    I worked 17 years for the largest beverage company in the world and due to COVID our entire team was laid off and our jobs sent to India. Well, guess who was President at that time? Oh, and it wasn't Biden. I've since gotten a job with the country's largest DIY company making $20k more than I was making at the beverage company--it'll be a year in 19 days--guess who was President when I got my current job? It ain't DJT.

    I've only ever gotten laid off when the President In Charge had an 'R' by his name. The point is, this is not the place to rant about whoever is President. Layoffs are a part of living in a capitalistic economy regardless of which party is in charge in Washington. It happens.

  37. Peggie Arvidson * Career Consultant | Adoptee Advocate | Recruiter

    Anyone who is "frowning" on work gaps between the years of 2020 and now is in the stone age...the world economy has gone upside down and then right side up and then upside down and anyone who has been paying attention (hello HR and hiring teams) knows that. If they can't partner with their leadership to promote strong candidates (this is the key - are you the BEST candidate for this role based on what they are looking for) they are not a team you want to join.

    So, brush up on what they really want - how can you help the company make money or save money and speak to that. Share anything you've done in the intervening months that helps you prove your point (took a class? traveled and met new people? cured a nagging problem in your home? learned a new, complicated skill?) and move on from there. If the CEO asks, I like to give them the info about why I'm a stellar candidate and how that breathing room helped me become so. And then at the end of the interview, ask "Is there anything that would give you pause about hiring me?" LISTEN intently to their answer and take into consideration as you move forward.

    Also, keep applying and interviewing in more than one place - do not put all your eggs in this basket.

  38. Sasha Aaron

    I would say someone at home was unwell like a parent or grandparent and you had to take care of them.

  39. Anonymous

    I definitely wouldn't lie

  40. Sir John McPoopington XVII Jr

    Sounds to me like you dodged a bullet. Your real reason for the gap is perfectly ok and understandable and any decent employer would see that.

  41. Melissa J

    I would tell them exactly this and if they do not like that like what Sir John said below you dodged a bullet. There is nothing wrong with taking sabbatical for your mental health, especially if your previous job was toxic. Everyone needs a break.

  42. Anonymous

    I think you should welcome the conversation. Explain the 8-month gap as a way to discuss how you upskilled and hopefully promoted self-care through travel, staycations, or helping loved ones, which was an act of commendable services. Be wary of a CEO who is alarmed that you haven't worked. Don't be discouraged; highlight your best talents, and your path should be smooth sailing. There are more employers out there. The recruiter can keep it moving!

  43. Aly Hollewijn

    I have worked in HR and in exec leadership and always loved learning what people did during a gap. Put the gap on your resume and bullet out your time. Something like "Planned Career Break" with bullets of what you did.. could be anything from getting family settled to professional development, to personal development...or health enhancement time, wellness experiences for mental health... etc.

    Here is the deal, career gaps should be respected. People who opt to take them are putting themselves and their family first. If this cannot be respected, then they will not respect when you need to take a day or so off for doctors appointments, kids having a bad day at school, etc.

    It is hard to accept when you need a job, you need the income, and you are desperately seeking your next move. But, be judicious in your search and the culture of your next career.

  44. Anonymous

    I absolutely love this post Aly! You are absolutely right! I took a career break myself, about 6 months. In all honesty, I needed a break, but I also finished earning my certificate during that time. My approach in interviews was all about story telling. Being confident in my employment gap and focusing on the positives of re-entering the work force renewed with new education. Instead of focusing on the gap, I would focus on my intentions for employment and why I thought I'd be a great fit at the new company. I think the "expectation" that we work from the time we're 16 to the time we retire is highly unrealistic. Companies that have an inclusive culture and more modern viewpoints don't focus on this, but instead how you can contribute to the team. Aly, thanks for being one of the good ones, you don't know how much of a difference you make. To the poster - best of luck in your search!!

  45. Elizabeth Hicks

    I agree, how they take it says a lot about the company culture. well spoken.

  46. surfnwrite

    I was traveling and I wrote a book which, is in final edits.

  47. ParentsPivot

    I work with people with a career gap all the time to help them get back to paid work and agree with some of the comments below:

    1) If the company is not understanding now, then they might not foster an understanding culture at their company. It may be a red flag and you might be better off focusing your efforts on other companies. I would ask them more questions to assess if this is truly a red flag or just a side comment from a recruiter.

    2) I always encourage people to own their career breaks and be honest about them. Research shows that people who have a break and are honest on their resume received 60% more interviews. But you also need to connect the dots for the employer. A career break may signal a lack of commitment to an employer. This is a biased view, but one that you can address in your interview by sharing your commitment and excitement to get back to work.

    3) Frame your decision to "take some time to reflect", assuming that this reflection helped you better connect with who you are now and what you want for your next career, as a benefit over other candidates to potential employers. You could say something like this: you have given this next career move attention and focus and that attention and focus has led you to this role and this career path. You are different from other candidates who have just been following the inertia of doing what they have always been doing. You have put thought and intention to what you do next so that you can make an informed decision about where you work. You could also add that for the right company you are looking to stay long term if that is true.

    4) I have a free master class coming up on September 5th if you want to join and hear more tips: https://www.parentspivot.com/masterclass-success-in-return-to-paid-work

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