Making the decision to take a break from the workforce can be hard, but with the right strategy and preparation there's no reason that the return should be.
Sixty-nine percent of hiring managers worry about employment gaps on a resume, according to a recent survey conducted by Resume Genius. Thirty-one percent think gaps slightly reduce a candidate's chances of moving forward and 29% believe they make a candidate less likely to be hired — and candidates need to be ready to make their case.
"In the past, gaps were seen as a major red flag that could significantly hurt a candidate's chances because they illustrated an inability to find or maintain paid employment," says Eva Chan, lead career expert at Resume Genius. "Today, while employers still frown upon unexplained breaks in work history for the same reason, [most] of them no longer view them as dealbreakers."
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For the most part, the pandemic is to thank for the shift in perception around employment gaps. Layoffs peaked in April 2020 with 18 million "temporarily" losing their jobs due to the effects of COVID-19 on the economy, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And while employment has rebounded since then, the process to re-employment in the wake of mass job losses was long, which forced employers to be more flexible with their outlook. But that doesn't necessarily mean that employers won't question long or sudden resume breaks, according to Chan.
"Employers understand now that life can bring unexpected challenges, like layoffs, caregiving responsibilities or personal reassessments," she says. "However, candidates are now expected to explain those gaps clearly by showing how they used that time productively."
This means that when meeting with a potential company, applicants should be prepared to share the experiences that may have played into their career break — such as illnesses, sabbaticals and travel — as well as explain how they've managed to stay competitive. Whether it was by taking online courses to upskill, volunteering, freelancing or even just managing personal projects that demonstrate initiative and commitment, job seekers should highlight any new skills they've developed or ways they stayed connected to their industry.
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"The best thing applicants can do is be upfront and confident about their career gap," Chan says. "Rather than waiting for the employer to bring it up, mention the gap in your resume or cover letter, explain why you took the time off, and highlight what you did during that period. Own your decision to take a break and show how it helped you grow personally or professionally."
It's in employers' best interests that they continue to help with some of the lift in interviews, too. In the wake of the pandemic, people are looking for jobs that align with their values and lifestyle, which means that organizations need to keep an open mind because great candidates might have taken time off to travel, care for a loved one or raise a family — and they're looking for employers who not only understand those things but prioritize it in their culture.
"A gap doesn't necessarily mean a lack of ambition — it often means someone took time to refocus and gain experience in areas outside of direct employment," Chan says. "Being willing to hear an applicant out can let employers tap into a pool of passionate and driven candidates who they may have otherwise quickly rejected."
