Yahoo Finance Nearly 70% of US workers have an employment gap on their resume, new study shows — here's how to get hired after a 'career break'
A work gap can be a challenging period for those seeking employment. Whether it was a result of a layoff, or a newborn, it can be a red flag for many employers.
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A survey published last month revealed that 68% of workers have experienced a gap in their employment, with family responsibilities (39%) being the most common reason. Among these workers, 60% believe the gap has made it harder to find a new job.
To top it off, the number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) was at 1.1 million in March, accoring to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In total, this group makes up nearly 20% of all unemployed persons.
However, it is possible to acknowledge that gap without it hurting your chances of getting hired, says Stefanie Ince, career coach and founder of Toronto-based March Management Leadership Coaching.
Some experts even assert that the wave of layoffs during the pandemic has lessened the stigma of having time off on your resume. Sites such as LinkedIn are also helping to normalize it by adding a new “career break” option, where users can list reasons for time off such as “career transition,” “relocation” or “health and well-being.”
Some employers might not be as accommodating yet, but there are still ways to overcome any worries that an employer might have. If you’ve had to take time off for any reason, you can reframe your time off as a period of skill development in order to demonstrate your value and re-enter the workforce.
Addressing the elephant in the room
“Many people have gaps in their resume because their employer went out of business or they themselves had health issues, and being clear in that explanation is really important,” says Mark Franklin, president of CareerCycles, a career counselling company based in Toronto, Canada.
When discussing a lapse in employment Franklin suggests the “sandwich approach,” where you acknowledge it and follow up with a positive example of what you’ve learned from the experience.
The advantage of this approach is that you can simultaneously address the gap and turn it into a positive. What you’ve learned then becomes the main focus.
Talk about the tasks that you accomplished with your time off, such as taking an online course, can be important conversation pieces and demonstrate that you have used your time effectively. Showing a desire to continuously improve will make you a great investment for any employer, Ince says.
Those who have taken time off to care for family can showcase important values such as empathy and caring. These qualities are highly valued by many employers and can set you apart from other candidates, Franklin says.
“Don’t miss the personal learning you did while you had that time off,” Franklin says.
While confronting the work gap is important, Franklin suggests not spending too much time on the subject if you can. Instead, discuss your current skills and qualifications. That way, the conversation focuses more on what you’ve accomplished.
The gap can be disheartening but it doesn’t need to be detrimental to your career and mental health. Seeking out a career coach or other professional can be a valuable tool and experience for sorting out your future.
“I personally would rather hire somebody who had that strength of character and confidence to be able to do that,” Ince says.
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How to re-enter the workforce
People may have all the necessary information on their previous job titles, but they sometimes don’t do a good enough job selling themselves. Representing yourself honestly is crucial but people don’t always give themselves enough credit, Ince says.
“For resumes, the mistake I see almost exclusively is there's not enough specific data to demonstrate their impact on the organization,” Ince says, adding that a resume should be about how you impacted the role and not only what you did.
Only explaining job responsibilities may not be enough to attract employer attention. Discussing the benefit you brought to your company is a more appealing measure toward being a good fit. Instead of saying you edited videos, say you edited videos that got X amount of views on YouTube. Use quantifiable results whenever possible in order to help sell yourself to an employer.
While it is important to market yourself effectively, you must also avoid dishonesty, since that can put you in a role where you won’t succeed.
“Let people see who you are and what you have to offer and whether or not it's a fit for you is up to them, but I think you've got to trust that process,” Ince says.
The importance of networking
Another area to examine is your social network, says Franklin.
One of the best ways to find a job is through another employee. In some cases companies may make use of an employee referral program, where they encourage employees to recommend new talent to join, Franklin says. Once the position is filled, the employee receives a reward for the referral.
Employee referral programs are among the most efficient ways to get a job because they aren’t open to the public. Most of the time these jobs aren’t posted publicly and applicants are only made aware if they were informed by a current employee.
The secrecy can be its own benefit, as there will be less competition compared to a job posting. Referred employees are often preferred over other applicants, depending on who is recommending you.
“You need to spend time building connections and relationships with others,” Franklin says. “We need to allocate an equal amount of time into building connections as well as submitting our resumes.”
Prepping for the future
Once you have landed your dream job, it's time to start thinking about your financial future. It's never to early to start thinking about your retirement or bolstering your existing nest egg. Do you have 401(k) or any other retirement investments? What do you need to set yourself up for comfortable golden years?
According to data by the Federal Reserve Board, only 40% of non-retirees feel confident about their retirement savings — clearly many Americans could use help navigating their finances and making sure their assets are protected.
Whether you are strarting a new job or have been for years, working with a financial adviser is often a smart move — and it’s better to get started sooner rather than later.
Since many people find it overwhelming to find a suitable and trusted professional, there are free online services that are designed to match you with a pre-screened financial adviser who will meet your unique needs.
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
