Why It’s Okay To Have A Career Gap

If you have been feeling burnt out, chances are people have told you just to push through because your career will not recover if you take a break. Having a career gap is always touted as career suicide. But this is simply not true.

Here is why it’s okay to have a career gap in our new economy.

What counts as a career gap?

Career gaps occur for many reasons. Some of the reasons you might choose to take a career gap include parental leave, illness, mini-retirement, travel, education, self-employment, or family care. These are all reasonable reasons to take a career gap.

A couple of months to several years is the typical span of a career gap. Some people consider a few weeks a career gap as well, but this is untrue. Having up to a month of breaks between jobs and roles is completely normal. It is understood in the job market that transitioning to a new job or role takes time. Most people often choose to take a couple of weeks to reorient themselves before a new job.

A long career gap is anything over six months. It is usually assumed that job hunting will take you up to six months in a good economy. Additionally, most companies agree that getting an extra qualification, parental leave, or vacation between jobs will take you three months or less.

The mental health career break has also become popular. If you choose to take a break for your mental health and relax, it is perfectly understandable. Most employers understand that a burnt-out employee is not a productive one. You are more likely to cause problems and ultimately cost the company money. Employers no longer automatically dismiss you for taking a break. It is now seen as an investment in bettering yourself.

Are career gaps okay to have?

As our economy changes, career gaps are becoming more normalized. In the USA, the culture has always revolved around work and professional careers. People are defined by their jobs and how long they spend in each career. However, we are beginning to borrow a leaf from other cultures around the globe.

In the UK and Asia, people often take sabbaticals and extended work breaks. Professional careers are viewed as a profession, not a personality, across the world. They don't define a person fully. Taking time off of work to adapt to a new baby, spend time with family, travel, or go back to school is considered normal. In the US, we are only now learning how to incorporate employment breaks into our lives. As we shift away from toxic work environments, we are beginning to embrace living, and all that comes with it, including career gaps.

They may see it as an advantage because you will bring a different perspective to their workplace.

How do you write a career gap in a resume?

The simplest advice is to simply leave it out. Just fill in all of the information for the rest of your employment history. This is especially beneficial for shorter career gaps of up to a year. A 3-month break will rarely raise any red flags when a recruiter or HR scans your resume.

If the potential employer brings it up during an interview, be honest about your experiences and reasoning. Don't try to lie your way through or dismiss their concerns. Address the topic head-on and speak the truth. Chances are that your employer could get records of what you did during that time anyways.

If you took a mental health break, speak on that. Try not to disparage your previous employer or coworkers as that can raise concern for your potential new employer. Be diplomatic about it and try to avoid combative language. For example, you can explain that you felt like your productivity and ability to meet certain performance metrics were inhibited and you, therefore, took some time to seek help, reconfigure your mind and regain focus.

For those who decided to travel or go back to school, a short explanation of why you made that decision at that point in your career will suffice. Be sure to include how that choice and your consequent experiences have equipped you for the role you're applying for.

If you became a parent, got ill, were taking care of sick relatives, or decided to try out entrepreneurship, it is easy to integrate these into your application. These are major life decisions and teaching opportunities. Similarly to travel and school, share why it was important to take the break and what you learned during that time.

Remember that confidence is the key. You can get a job even after a two-year gap. Don't try to overexplain yourself, ramble on, or belittle what you accomplished by taking a career gap. You are bringing unique value to the company. Don't sell yourself short.

Your next phase awaits

It is perfectly okay to have a career gap. But don't take them willy-nilly. Be intentional with any career gaps you do choose to take. Plan for them and don't burn bridges on your way out. Life is short, so make the most of it!