How to Address Gaps In Your Career When Applying for a Job

Taking time off from work can be intimidating and when it comes time to look for a job, many people worry about how to explain the gap in their career. But taking time away from your career isn’t something to be ashamed of. Whether you took a break to travel, have a baby, care for an aging family member or just take some much needed “me” time, there are ways to make sure your gap doesn’t hold you back. Here are some tips on how to address gaps in your career when applying for jobs.

Be Honest and Upfront

When it comes to explaining why you had a gap in your work history, honesty is always the best policy. If you were out of work due to personal reasons such as traveling or caring for a child, don’t be afraid to tell potential employers. In many cases, employers will understand and may even be impressed by your decision! Explain why taking this time was important for you and how it helped you grow as an individual.

Highlight Your Other Experiences During Your Time Off

Just because you weren’t working in an office doesn’t mean that you didn’t gain valuable experience while taking some time away from work. Use this opportunity to highlight any other professional experiences you may have acquired during the gap in your career such as volunteer roles or freelance projects. These experiences can help show potential employers that not only did you stay active professionally while not holding down a job but that they can expect certain skills or abilities that come with those experiences as well.

Show How You Kept Yourself Up-to-Date

In addition to highlighting any extra-professional experiences, it is important to show potential employers that during the gap in your career you kept yourself up-to-date with industry trends and skill sets related directly with the job role at hand. This could include attending relevant seminars or classes, participating in online webinars or simply keeping up with what is happening within the industry through reading industry publications/blogs/journals etc… Make sure that whatever activities you did during this time are highlighted on both your CV and cover letter so potential employers can see them easily.

Conclusion:

No matter what type of break from work life that has been taken, there is no need to feel embarrassed or ashamed when applying for jobs after having had the break period away from formal employment; instead use these tips and advice around addressing gaps in careers confidently when talking with prospective employers and potentially even turn the situation into an advantage! After all, taking some personal “me” time shouldn't be something we should feel bad about - so why not use it as an opportunity show prospective employers what we have learned while being away? We never know – they may even find it inspiring!