Resume gaps aren’t the job killer they used to be but applicants still need to get smart about explaining their time away from the workforce
The Job Market Is Cooling, But Don't Let Resume Gaps Worry You
Despite a resilient labor market, job seekers are facing increased challenges in their search. With U.S. job openings hitting a three-and-a-half-year low in September and October showing the slowest hiring pace since late 2020, many candidates are concerned about potential red flags on their resumes – particularly gaps in employment.
However, career experts emphasize that the stigma around employment gaps has diminished significantly. There's growing recognition that professionals step away from work for various legitimate reasons, from family caregiving to pursuing personal passions or traveling globally.
"We've seen this shift where hiring managers realize that life happens, and sometimes you're going to need to take time off. That doesn't mean that you're not employable," notes Catherine Fisher, a LinkedIn career expert. "It's what you make of it."
Key Strategies for Handling Resume Gaps
1. Embrace Transparency
Career professionals unanimously advise against hiding or downplaying employment gaps. Valerie Workman, chief talent engagement officer at Handshake, suggests making these periods a focal point: "If you have a gap and you have a cool story of what you did during that gap, that's a great differentiator. Highlight that gap – what you did, what you learned, and the skills you built."
This openness about career breaks is becoming increasingly common. LinkedIn's "Career Break" feature, introduced in 2022, has seen a 40% increase in usage over the past year, with over 2 million users now incorporating it into their profiles.
2. Take Control of the Narrative
During interviews, experts recommend proactively addressing career breaks rather than waiting for the interviewer to bring them up. Maryann Abbajay, chief revenue officer at SAP SuccessFactors, advises using the "tell me about yourself" question as an opportunity to explain how your career break fits into your professional journey and what value it added.
3. Focus on Skill Development
While attitudes toward resume gaps have evolved, candidates still need to demonstrate professional growth during their time away. In today's skills-focused hiring landscape, employers value competencies gained through various experiences – whether through formal work, volunteering, or personal projects.
Workman emphasizes the importance of quantifiable skill development, particularly in technical areas: "Routinely do something to build skills, and it has to be something that's quantifiable. A certification, or some third-party recognition of what you're doing. Self-study is not going to cut it."
Embracing Non-Linear Career Paths
The timing of a career break often causes anxiety – whether it's early in one's career, during peak professional years, or closer to retirement. However, experts stress that there's no "perfect" time for a career break. As Abbajay points out, "Moving up your career is not a linear process anymore. There are zigzags."
The key message from career experts is clear: focus less on the gap itself and more on making the most of your time away. Whether it's through acquiring new skills, pursuing meaningful experiences, or taking care of family obligations, what matters is how you frame and utilize this period in your professional narrative.
In today's evolving job market, where AI and technical skills are increasingly valuable, a career break can even become an opportunity to pivot or expand your professional toolkit. The most important thing is to be strategic about your time away and confident in presenting it as part of your career journey.