Why Career Gaps are not a Problem

Career gaps on resumes have long been seen as red flags to some recruiters and hiring managers. Historically, negative biases existed around these gaps in one’s career, however, the recent pandemic changed things by lessening the stigma. The vast majority (92%) of hiring managers now say there are acceptable reasons for large gaps on an applicant’s resume and will not overlook a suitable candidate simply because they took a planned career break.

Millions of people dropped out of the workforce during the pandemic for a range of reasons - job loss, needing to care for a family member, childcare, career changes or early retirement - and attitudes about gaps on a resume began to shift. In fact, LinkedIn has launched a new feature that gives users the option of adding the heading "Career Break" to the experience section of their profile. The same heading can also be used on a resume.

Here are some reasons for large gaps on resumes:

  • Education - Going to School

  • Childcare - Staying home with a child

  • Health & Wellness - Health issues and/or attention to self-care

  • Eldercare - Caring for an elderly parent or relative

  • Career Transition or Career Break - Reassessment of your career path, transitioning out of a past role or industry into something new

  • Travel - extended planned travel

  • Community - extended volunteer work

How to address the gap:

On your resume: Job seekers can enter dates and choose a reason for the gap, including adding a few pertinent details on what you did and what was accomplished during that time.

In an interview: If a potential employer asks about a gap, be transparent about it. The key is to acknowledge the break and give a few key details. You don’t need to share overly personal information here, just the basics. Then change the focus to why you are a strong candidate for the role. Bring up anecdotes from previous work or volunteer experience that highlight your strengths and how your skills can transfer to the new role.

For job seekers who have been looking for a while: Focus on the things you've been doing during the gap, like new skills training or any relevant experiences that make you a strong candidate, and how you are being selective about your next opportunity.

We encourage you to visit our Virtual Resource Room at Calgary Career Hub for current information about all topics relevant to job searching.

(Percentage from the Financial Post)

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