I have been out of the work force for 3 years due to the pandemic and my spouses career moving us cross country.

4 Comments

1. AnonymousFebruary 16,2023 at 9:17PM UTC

   Personally, in this instance, I'd have an experience section that uses the time as "Career Development" instead of Career Break. Use the dates like 2020-2023. If you need to site months on an application, do so. If the recruiter or hiring manager isn't familiar with the company, a brief sentence under the company name (in your case "Career Development" is desired so they have some info. I'd say something like, "Cross-country relocation, (do not say spouse - not their business) and Covid-19 Pandemic" created an opportunity for career development." I'd then explain what I've done to keep up on skills. You know, those transferable skills: Negotiation, communication, zoom, any courses you've taken to upskill, etc. Good Luck.

2. AnonymousFebruary 21,2023 at 1:29PM UTC

   it's hard to give specific advice without knowing your industry and background, but to get your feet wet again you may want to consider temping to get some more recent experience on your resume. Good luck with your job search!

3. AyianFebruary 21,2023 at 5:20PM UTC

   Have you considered doing volunteer work while you're looking for a new career move? Even unpaid, it can show that you're keeping yourself busy. Check out Idealist.org for listings of volunteer work and paid positions.

   As for a 3 year gap, it's been Covid season the whole time. Recruiters and employers are aware that this is occurring throughout the workforce. Labor statistics indicate a great many people have left the workforce (their term for people who have been unemployed so long that they have fallen off the eligibility list for unemployment). Your cover letter is probably the best place to reference the employment gap and that you're ready to get back into a career path.

   Be advised that there are indications of a recession on the horizon, so employers may be more hesitant than they have been in recent years to take on a new employee. It may not be you at all.

4. AnonymousFebruary 21,2023 at 8:38PM UTC

   I would address it in a well written cover note. You are not alone and use your network to help you or find some meetup groups where you can connect with others who can lead the path for potential employment. Take temp jobs sign up for a few temp agencies and keep busy. Take classes if need be but don't mope, as it will become a part of your story if you don't turn it into a positive conversation.