What do I do about a gap in employment on my resume?

Conventional wisdom was always that resume gaps were bad… until Gen Z (and the pandemic) came along.

Younger workers are rewriting the rule book in many ways, including when it comes to resume gaps. One recent UK survey showed that nearly half of Gen Zers in that country have at least a 6-month career gap in their short resume. Another survey by LinkedIn found that 62% of workers of all ages have taken a break from work at some point. Further, according the the US Bureau of Labor Statistics more than 90% of professionals in the US have been unemployed at some point in their career.

So why the contempt for resume gaps?

Aside from the pandemic, there are a lot of reasons a professional may have taken some time off: to have children, to help raise children, to take care of parents, or just to take a break from the rat race. Some people take breaks to care for their own mental or physical health, too. It’s all valid.

As a recruiter, I encourage job seekers not to be embarrassed or ashamed of resume gaps. Conversely, many times these breaks can be celebrated! Bring it on, and we’ll find you the next new role that truly works in your life!

#careerdevelopment #mentalhealth #career #resume