by Good reasons for gaps in employment can actually be a valuable part of your professional story, even though, sure, hiring managers might raise an eyebrow at first.
Those breaks — whether it’s about taking care of your health, stepping up for family, or diving into more education — can highlight your resilience, flexibility, and your ability to grow outside the usual work bubble.
If you understand the causes and know how to explain gaps in your employment, what might look like a setback could turn into something that actually boosts your future career. Everyone’s got a unique path, and those twists?
What are employment gaps?
Basically, it’s a chunk of time when you’re not working — no office, no boss, no paychecks rolling in.
These pop up for all sorts of reasons and usually fall between periods of formal employment. Honestly, they’re not a big deal on their own, but if you don’t address them, recruiters might give you the side-eye.
Here are some pretty common reasons folks take a break:
- Health stuff. Maybe you got sick or injured and needed time to recover.
- Family duties. Sometimes you’ve got to step up for kids, aging parents, or a partner who needs you.
- Learning something new. Could be going back to university or picking up extra skills to boost your career.
- Personal adventures. In case you wanted to travel, try out a passion project, or just see what else is out there.
- Freelancing. Some people use that to build a side hustle.
- Mental health. Burnout is real, and caring of yourself matters.
- Moving. Sometimes life drags you to a new city or country, and you require time to get settled.
Sure, bosses can get a little skeptical, but these breaks can actually help you grow as a person. The trick? How you talk about them — whether on your resume or in an interview — can totally change the way employers see those blank spaces.
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Good reasons for gaps in employment samples
Pursuing education
A lot of folks step away from work to head back to school — sometimes it’s to finally grab that degree, pick up a certification, or learn something new. It’s actually a pretty strong reason for a gap. Shows you’re serious about growing, not just personally but professionally, too.
Example: Sarah had a gig as a marketing coordinator, but she pressed pause for two years to chase an MBA. Sure, there was a noticeable gap in her resume, but that degree? It opened up way more doors. She was suddenly in the running for management roles she never could’ve snagged before.
Health reasons
Health is delicate. You’ve got to step back, whether it’s dealing with your own medical situation or helping out a family member. Maybe it’s surgery, or something long-term. It happens to the best of us.
As of July 2024, ~30.7 million people ages 16-75 had a health condition or difficulty that limited work — about 12.4% of the civilian noninstitutional population in that age group.
Career change
Explaining employment gaps is super common when you’re trying to pull into a whole new line or switching gears altogether. Sometimes those first jobs in a fresh field don’t show up right away, and that’s just part of the practice.
Sample resume with gaps in employment:
Relocation
Moving to a new city — or even a whole country — can throw a gap in a resume while you try to get your bearings. Seriously, it’s not just about packing boxes. You’ve got to find a place to live, figure out your morning commute (or where to find decent coffee), and get used to a totally different vibe.
Example: Thomas left New York behind and landed in Berlin for personal reasons. It wasn’t an overnight adjustment — he spent a few months getting everything sorted and wasn’t working during that time. Once he finally settled in, he scored a job as a data analyst at a global company, and his international background actually worked in his favor.
Raising a family
Plenty of people resign to look after kids or support family members. Totally normal, and it’s a pretty solid reason for having a break in your history — especially during those early parenting years or when someone at home needs you.
For a little perspective, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in 2020, 69% of women with children under 18 were active in the workforce.
Gap in resume due to caring for children:
Personal development or travel
Ever get that itch to drop everything and just see the world, or finally dive into that passion project you’ve been putting off forever? Some actually do it — they hit pause on the usual grind to chase lifelong dreams, like traveling. Sure, it’s not the typical route, but honestly, it can totally shake up your outlook and add some wild new skills to your toolkit.
The "gap year" thing? Super normal in places like the UK and Australia — like, nearly half the students take a year off before heading to college. Not just for kids, either. More and more adults are jumping on the bandwagon.
Economic factors
Those resume gaps aren’t exactly a choice. Maybe the economy tanks or your whole industry goes sideways, and suddenly you’re out there hustling for a new role. Yeah, it’s rough. Those blank spots on your work history? Been there — blame the market, not yourself.
Example: During the pandemic, entire industries took a nosedive. Layoffs and furloughs everywhere, and millions of people got stuck with big, unexpected gaps in their employment.
Starting a business
Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t — either way, you learn a ton. Seriously, taking that leap teaches you way more than just business lingo: you pick up guts, resilience, and a knack for dealing with the unexpected.
Whether or not your company takes off, you walk away with mastery that’ll stick with you wherever you land next.
How an employment gaps on a resume can be a strength?
People stress way too much about career breaks. If you give some context and a few real-life examples of a good resume, you’ll see a gap can actually work in your favor. It’s all in how you spin the story.
1. Demonstrates resilience
Gaps caused by challenges like layoffs or health issues can show your ability to bounce back and adapt to change.
Layoffs, health, emergencies... whatever knocks you off course, what matters is that you dust yourself off and bounce back. Maybe you used that time to rethink your goals, pick up new talents, or get ready for the next chapter.
“During my time away, I reassessed my career goals, upskilled in graphic design, and prepared myself for new challenges.”
Employers love folks who can handle tough times and come out swinging.
2. Highlights proactive skill development
If you spent that time learning — maybe you grabbed a certification, took a course, or tackled something brand new — that says you’re not just sitting on your hands. You’re always leveling up. It proves you’re the type who keeps pushing yourself, no matter what.
3. Reflects valuable life experiences
Not everything come from a classroom. Maybe you traveled, took care of someone, or lived life for a while. That can give you empathy, better communication, or a whole new view on different cultures.
“During my year abroad, I got to know people from all over, learned new languages, and honestly, that’s been super valuable in my work with international clients.”
This is especially important for roles involving teamwork or collaboration.
4. Tells a compelling story
Let’s face it — a resume with a well-explained gap is way more memorable. When you’re honest about your break and show what you learned, it makes your journey real and interesting. That’s what sticks.
5. Demonstrates work-life balance
Sometimes you just need to hit pause and focus on your well-being. That’s not a weakness — it’s actually smart. It displays you know how to think about yourself, which means you’re less likely to burn out.
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. |
| Cultural Fit | Recruiters may be concerned about how well you’ll adjust to the company’s environment after a break. | Emphasize experiences that improved your flexibility and interpersonal skills, such as community work. |
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 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 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 helped me 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 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 expertise volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, where I managed fundraising campaigns. These helped me grow my skill set and develop a fresh perspective. Combined with my previous practice 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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