Addressing Career Gaps

You’re allowed to have a life

Raising a child 🍼

Caring for a family member 👩‍👧‍👦

Exploring the world 🌍

Having a rest 🌷

Considering your options 🧠

Trying out a new career 🥷

Pausing the hamster wheel 🐹

Volunteering 🎗

Navigating a tough job market 🚵‍♀️

Getting through a significant life change 🧭

Managing health issues 🏥

and so on...

You don’t need to be ashamed to address real-life on your CV. Having a gap in your career journey isn’t a crime and doesn’t make you unemployable, it makes you human.

I don’t know about you, but I like working with humans 💘 I’ve experienced a handful of these myself and will no doubt face (or choose) more in the future.

Tips to address a career gap in your resume:

🚨 Don’t feel the need to over-explain

🚨 Highlight any part-time, freelance, or volunteer work you undertook

🚨 Reference any courses, certifications or classes you attended (they don’t need to be directly related to the role)

🚨 Re-frame this time as an asset to you by pointing out transferable skills it taught you

🚨 Seek advice from others on how your resume reads

🚨 Consider what you choose to highlight. The odd month here or there is probably not worth mentioning

🚨 Be prepared to explain your career breaks honestly during interviews - honesty doesn't mean you have to share everything

There are so many reasons for career gaps/breaks, some by choice and some out of our control, either way, they shape our experiences and stories.

If you've got a "blank space" embrace it, it's made you who you are. Great recruiters and leaders know this too. ✨