by Good reasons for gaps in employment can be a valuable part of your career journey, even though they may initially raise concerns for hiring managers.
These breaks, whether due to personal health, family responsibilities, or pursuing further education, can actually highlight resilience, adaptability, and the skills to grow beyond traditional work environments.
Understanding the reasons and knowing how to explain gaps in your employment can turn what may seem like a setback into an asset for your future career.
What are employment gaps?
Employment gaps are periods of time when an individual is not actively working.
These can occur for a variety of reasons and are often seen between two periods of formal employment. Employment breaks are not inherently negative, but they can raise questions for HRs if not properly addressed.
Common reasons for employment gaps include:
- Personal health issues. Taking time off to recover from an illness or injury.
- Family responsibilities. Caring for children, elderly relatives, or a spouse, especially during times of need.
- Further training. Going back to school or gaining additional qualifications to advance in one’s career.
- Personal exploration. Resigning to travel, pursue personal projects, or explore new opportunities.
- Freelancing. Using the time to build a business or engage in independent work.
- Mental health. Recovering from burnout or improving mental well-being.
While these breaks are sometimes viewed with skepticism, they can also offer opportunities for personal growth and self-improvement. How someone addresses these gaps in their resumes or interviews can often make a difference in how potential employers perceive them.
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Good reasons for gaps in employment samples
Pursuing education
Many individuals take time off from work to go back to school, either to complete a degree, pursue a certification, or acquire new skills. This is a positive reason for a gap, showing a commitment to personal and professional growth.
Example: Sarah, who worked as a marketing coordinator, decided to take a two-year break to pursue an MBA. While the gap in her resume was significant, the degree she earned opened doors for her to transition into higher-level management roles.
Health reasons
Health issues—whether personal or related to family caregiving—are often unavoidable. An individual may need to take time off to recover from surgery, manage chronic health conditions, or care for an ill family member.
Career change
Explaining employment gaps is often the result of exploring different industries or starting in a new field that may not have immediate job prospects.
In a 2022 LinkedIn survey, 38% of workers said they were interested in changing their job. As industries evolve and opportunities shift, career switches are more common than ever.
Sample resume with gaps in employment:
Relocation
Moving to another city or country can lead to a gap in a resume as the individual adjusts to a new environment, network, and job market. Relocation often involves logistical challenges like housing, settling in, or learning the region.
Example: Thomas moved from New York to Berlin for personal reasons. The transition took several months, during which time he wasn’t employed. Once settled, he found a role as a data analyst at a global company, where his international experience was valued.
Raising a family
Many people resign to care for children or family members. This is a common and valid reason for gaps in a resume, especially if the break is during early parenting or caregiving years.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 69% of women with children under 18 were in the labor force in 2020.
Gap in resume due to caring for children:
Personal development or travel
Some people take breaks to explore personal growth or pursue lifelong dreams, like traveling or working on a project. While this is less conventional, it can be an enriching experience that adds value to one’s skillset and perspective.
The "gap year" is particularly common in countries like the UK and Australia, where 40-50% of students take a year off before starting university. However, this concept is increasingly popular among adults too.
Economic factors
Industry downturns or recessions can force people out of their jobs. During periods of unemployment, they might experience gaps in their resume as they search for new roles or deal with the impacts of these shifts.
Example: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many industries experienced layoffs and furloughs, which led to significant employment gaps for millions.
Starting a business
While running a business may not always be financially successful, the experience gained can be incredibly valuable. Skills such as entrepreneurship, risk-taking, and resilience can be directly transferable to other roles.
How an employment gaps on a resume can be a strength?
By providing context and examples for each reason, it becomes clear that career breaks aren’t always negative. Explaining gaps in employment can make all the difference in how they’re perceived by potential employers.
1. Demonstrates resilience
Gaps caused by challenges like layoffs or health issues can show your ability to bounce back and adapt to change.
“During my time away, I reassessed my career goals, upskilled in graphic design, and prepared myself for new challenges.”
Employers value candidates who can navigate difficulties with grace and come out stronger.
2. Highlights proactive skill development
If you used the gap to pursue education, certifications, or learn something new, it shows initiative and a commitment to continuous improvement. These breaks proves that you’re not stagnant and are always looking to improve.
3. Reflects valuable life experiences
Personal development, travel, or caregiving during a gap can enhance skills like empathy, communication, and cultural awareness.
“During my year of travel, I developed a deeper understanding of global cultures and honed my language skills, which have been valuable in international business contexts.”
This is especially important for roles involving teamwork or collaboration.
4. Tells a compelling story
A well-explained gap in a resume makes your professional narrative more authentic and interesting. This makes you memorable to hiring managers and sets you apart.
Concerns employers may have about gaps in a resume
| Concern | Explanation | Mitigation Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Loss of Knowledge | Employers may worry you’ve fallen behind on industry trends, technologies, or skills. | Highlight activities like courses, workshops, or freelance work to show you stayed current. |
| Lack of Commitment or Stability | Concerns about being a “job hopper” or leaving the position after a short time. | Emphasize your commitment to long-term opportunities and clarify career goals. |
| Difficulty Adjusting Back to Work | Recruiters may fear you’ll struggle to reintegrate into a professional environment. | Demonstrate readiness through activities or routines that kept you engaged during the gap. |
| Performance Issues | A break might raise questions about being fired or poor performance. | Be honest but positive, focusing on lessons learned and growth during the gap. |
| Lack of Direction | HRs may think a gap reflects indecision or lack of focus in your career. | Frame it as a period of exploration that led to clarity and renewed focus. |
| Concerns About Work Ethic | A long break might raise doubts about your motivation or willingness to work. | Highlight proactive activities like volunteering, freelancing, or learning new skills. |
| Health or Personal Issues | Hiring managers might worry about ongoing challenges affecting your ability to work. | Reassure them that the situation is resolved and won’t impact your performance. |
| Reinvestment in Training | Employers might think hiring someone with a gap requires extra onboarding or training. | Show how you’ve stayed sharp and are prepared to contribute immediately. |
How to explain gaps in employment during an interview?
- Can you provide your employment gap explanation?
- Absolutely. After leaving my role at Anderson Marketing, I took some time to focus on caring for my mother, who was recovering from surgery. During that time, I made sure to keep my skills sharp by volunteering at a local non-profit. I managed their social media accounts, and completing a digital marketing certification through Google. This experience allowed me to grow personally and professionally, and I’m excited to apply these skills to new challenges.
- Why did you take time off work?
- After moving to Austin for family reasons, I decided to take time off to settle in and reassess my career goals. I wanted to ensure my next move aligned with my long-term aspirations. During this time, I also took an online course on project management through Coursera and earned my PMP certification. This has helped me prepare for opportunities like this one.
- How have you kept your skills current during your employment gap?
- During my time away from full-time work, I stayed engaged in the industry by attending monthly webinars hosted by the American Marketing Association and completing HubSpot’s Inbound Marketing certification. I also freelanced as a copywriter for a small e-commerce business, which allowed me to stay hands-on and up-to-date with industry trends.
- Are you concerned about re-entering the workforce after this gap?
- Not at all. I’ve taken deliberate steps to prepare for this transition, including attending industry networking events, completing a certification in data analysis through Tableau, and working on freelance projects for local businesses. These experiences have ensured that my skills remain relevant and that I’m ready to contribute immediately.
- What have you learned during your time off?
- I learned how to adapt to new challenges and prioritize effectively. For example, I managed a volunteer project at the local library, where I organized a community reading program. This experience honed my organizational and leadership skills, which I’m eager to bring to this role.
- Why should we hire you despite the gap in your employment?
- This break gave me the opportunity to earn a certification in SQL and gain experience volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, where I managed fundraising campaigns. These experiences helped me grow my skill set and develop a fresh perspective. Combined with my previous experience in financial analysis at Greenway Consulting, I’m confident I can make a strong contribution to your team.
Conclusion
Overall, reasons for gaps in employment should not be seen as a hindrance but rather as an opportunity to grow and learn.
By presenting your breaks thoughtfully, you can show potential employers that you’ve gained valuable life experience, skills, and perspectives that will contribute positively to your role.
Embrace the journey and turn your employment gaps on a resume into a testament to your strength and adaptability.
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