Ever faced the fear of explaining a career gap in your resume during an interview?
You’re not alone! A recent survey found that 68% of workers have experienced a career gap, with family responsibilities being the most common reason. The same survey showed that 60% of workers believe the gap has impacted their job search.
No matter how strong you are in your technical expertise and domain knowledge, confidence can start to waver when there’s a gap in your employment history. Employers often view these gaps with suspicion, even when they are for legitimate reasons.
But don’t worry—VDart has got you covered. Here are five effective hacks to address career gaps in resumes and during interviews.
1. Be Transparent
Transparency is key when dealing with a career gap. Many people, out of anxiety, fabricate irrelevant stories during interviews that can drive potential employers away. Instead, be honest about your situation.
“We had a candidate who had a career gap for two years because of his plan to move abroad, believing he would secure a job upon arrival. When things didn’t go as planned, the career gap emerged, complicating his job search,” shared Dino, the Delivery Manager at VDart “Unless you’re sure about your work visa or have strong confidence in your decision, taking such a risk is not advisable.” he also advised. “Despite this situation, we were able to onboard him because he was technically strong and transparent with the employers,” he added.
For a transparent resume approach, consider framing your situation like this..“I decided to move abroad for personal reasons, believing it would provide me with new opportunities. Although things didn’t go as planned, this experience taught me resilience and adaptability, which I believe are valuable traits for this role.”
2. Highlight Your Updates During the Career Break
Career breaks can be a necessity, especially for major lifestyle changes like marriage, health conditions, family situations, or embracing motherhood. Use this time to keep yourself updated, even if it’s outside your core subject area. Online learning platforms make it easier to gain certifications and new skills during your break.
Show potential employers that you used this period productively. Taking a course in Marketing, for example, can demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning and adaptability.
Consider adding this: “During my career break, I completed an online certification in Digital Marketing from Coursera. This course kept me updated with current industry trends and enhanced my skills in SEO and content marketing, making me a stronger candidate for this position.”
3. Emphasize Personal Development During Sabbaticals
Taking a break can be a valuable experience. In fact, a balanced approach to life and a commitment to personal growth can make an employee more well-rounded and adaptable.
You can effectively communicate the skills you gained during your break by explaining how your time away helped you develop new skills, gain a fresh perspective, or achieve personal goals. Use bullet points in your resume or cover letter to highlight:
- Volunteer Work
- Pursuing Hobbies and Personal Interests
- Focus on Family and Personal Development
- Gaining a Global Perspective
You can also address this during interviews by saying, “I chose to take a sabbatical to focus on personal development. My time away included volunteer work, family development, and pursuing hobbies to enhance my global perspective. This experience has provided me with a renewed sense of purpose.”
4. Women Facing Career Breaks
Women often face career breaks due to maternity leave or other family responsibilities. Confidence and continuous skill improvement are crucial during these times.
Al Fahd, from VDart’s Canada team, recalls how he successfully onboarded a talented candidate who, despite her impressive background, was hesitant due to a maternity break. “At VDart, I encountered numerous candidates with unique career journeys. One such experience that stands out is Bhagya, a talented candidate who applied for a position after a two-year maternity break. Despite her impressive resume, she was visibly hesitant during our initial conversations, expressing concerns about the gap in her professional experience.
Understanding her apprehension, I took the time to reassure Bhagya. I shared stories of successful VDart employees who had taken similar breaks and returned to the workforce even stronger. I emphasized that career breaks for family responsibilities, especially maternity leave, are completely normal and can even bring valuable skills and perspectives to the workplace, like enhanced time management and communication.
To further support Bhagya, I helped her prepare for her interview. We practiced common interview questions, focusing on how to confidently address her career gap and emphasize her readiness to return to work and contribute to the team.
Bhagya took my advice to heart. By the time her interview came around, she was much more confident and prepared. Her preparation paid off. Bhagya impressed the hiring team and landed the job. She’s now a valued team member, contributing significantly to our client’s projects.”
So, here’s the hint. If you encounter such a situation, you can highlight them during interviews by saying, “After my parental leave, I took online courses to stay updated with industry trends and attended networking events to reconnect with my professional community. This period helped me sharpen my skills and regain my confidence, making me ready to re-enter the workforce.”
5. Provide the Right Amount of Information: Not Too Much, Not Too Little, or Vague
Balance is essential when explaining a career gap. Even if you got laid off, avoid blaming your previous employer way too much or providing excessive negative details, as this can be seen as a red flag. However, giving vague or insufficient details can also leave recruiters puzzled about your authenticity.
When discussing your productivity during such situations, make sure your achievements are well-documented. Proper certificates or tangible proof of your activities will strengthen your case.
Here’s how you can address this in your resume: “During my career gap, I focused on personal projects and freelance work. I completed several web development projects for small businesses, which helped me stay current with industry practices. I have documented these projects in my portfolio, which I’d be happy to share.”
Still feeling nervous about your job search? We’re here to help! Our global team is available 24/7 to guide you towards landing your dream job.