September 16th 2024.
In today's fast-paced world, it's important to remember that we all need a break sometimes. Whether it's for personal reasons or unintentional circumstances, taking a career break is not uncommon. However, when you decide to re-enter the workforce, it's crucial to be honest and upfront about your time off. Even celebrities like Adele understand the importance of taking a break, as she recently announced her need for "a rest" after a two-year tour and residency in Vegas.
But for us regular folks, it may not be as easy to take a break and resurface when it suits us. Some may worry that explaining a gap in their resume during an interview will make them look bad. This could be due to being made redundant or having trouble finding a new job. Other times, life gets in the way and we may be faced with personal issues such as relationships, loss, or mental health battles. These are all conversations that can be uncomfortable to have with someone you've just met.
However, when the time comes to go back to work or search for new opportunities, it's important to be transparent about your career break. A careers expert, Julia Belak, has shared some valuable tips on how to address this topic in your job search. She reminds us that there are many valid reasons for taking a career break, such as parental leave, caregiving responsibilities, travel, or health reasons. And, rather than seeing it as a disadvantage, it can actually add value to your CV if you focus on the right things.
Belak suggests building a functional CV that highlights your skills instead of your experience. This allows you to showcase your relevant abilities from the start. Additionally, she recommends including any additional education or training you may have pursued during your break, as well as any new skills you've acquired. In the experience section, you can briefly mention the reason for your gap, using headings like "Career break," "Sabbatical," or "Parenting." It's important to keep it simple and avoid using negative words like "unemployed" or "fired."
It may also be helpful to mention your career break in your cover letter, reassuring the employer that you are motivated to get back to work and have no intentions of taking another break. For example, if you were caring for a family member, you can simply state that "following a period of absence while providing care for a family member, they have now made a full recovery and I am eager to return to the workforce." If you were made redundant, you can mention that your previous employer had to make budget cuts, but this gave you the opportunity to broaden your skills through volunteering and taking classes.
During the interview, it's important to be prepared to discuss your career break. However, Belak encourages job seekers not to worry, as many people have successfully returned to work after a break. And, it's essential to remember that honesty and a positive mindset can go a long way in the eyes of hiring managers. So, rather than lying, be open and transparent about your career break.
In the end, we all have our own unique stories and experiences that shape our career paths. Taking a break should not be seen as a setback, but rather a chance to recharge and gain new perspectives. If you have a story about your career break, we would love to hear from you. Please email us to share your experience. Best of luck on your job search!
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