Overcoming employment gaps
Ken Pelczarski | TLT Career Coach November 2019
After a year or more off, you’ll need to explain the past and future.
Prove you are still passionate about your profession.
© Can Stock Photo / alphaspirit
Have you been working outside your chosen profession for an extended period and wondering how long it will take to regain employment in your field? In this scenario, it can be highly challenging to secure a desirable position in a competitive job market.
Deviations in your career path can happen at any time and can last for a year or longer. Employment gaps can be well thought out and internally driven or triggered by events largely beyond your control.
For purposes of this article, an employment gap is defined as an extended break for many months or years without full-time employment in your primary field.
A deviation in your career path can occur for a multitude of reasons. The scenarios listed below assume that you have not worked in your field for at least one year.
Each scenario below is rated from one to five asterisks, with a higher number of asterisks indicating a greater difficulty in finding suitable employment in your primary profession.
Reasons for gaps in employment
(Asterisks indicate level of difficulty regaining employment in your field.)
Parted ways with employer
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Unemployed (let go for performance reasons) *****
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Unemployed (downsized/laid off) ***
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Unemployed (left job voluntarily) ***
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Unemployed (relocated without job lined up) **
Change in career status
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Went back to school full time *
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Took an early retirement **
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Started a new business **
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Made a career change ***
Volunteering
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Long-term volunteer commitment **
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Humanitarian mission outside the country **
Family
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Helped a family business **
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Family health issues **
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Became a stay-at-home parent ***
Personal
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Health issues **
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Took leave of absence ****
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Long-term home building or remodeling project ***
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Extended personal travel ****
After an extended break without work in your field, you’ll likely need to prove much of the following to a prospective employer.
© Can Stock Photo / ryanking999
Your employment gap is understandable and justified. Employers are looking to hire individuals who consistently make smart decisions that make sense for their personal and business lives. You will inevitably be judged on why you have not worked in your field for a long time. Be prepared to discuss in detail why spending time outside your main career path became a higher priority than your chosen profession. Most employers believe that family comes first and will understand if you leave your career path because of pressing family issues.
The same gap scenario is unlikely to recur. Employers will not only evaluate your ability to do the job but also the risk level of losing you in the short term because of other priorities in your life. You must convince the employer in an interview that the reasons for your employment gap are 100% in the past. This may necessitate detailed discussions about family issues that have been take care of or about other career interests that have been put aside.
You have done worthwhile and productive things with your time. Whatever the reason for leaving your primary career path, employers will be looking at how you have spent your time. Be ready to account for time away from your career since employers will be evaluating your purpose, productivity and level of success. If you are unemployed and looking for work in your field, stay active while you are searching by consulting, taking a temporary position, working outside your field, obtaining education, volunteering in your field or making presentations. These activities can be stated on your resume to fill gaps.
You have stayed current in your field. Barring an extreme long-term crisis in your life, employers will expect you to have maintained some level of knowledge, training and contacts in your field. Describe to employers the different ways you have stayed current in anticipation of returning to your main profession. Ways to stay current include attending or teaching classes or seminars, reading industry articles, starting a blog and keeping in touch with your network.
You do not require extensive training. Employers look to hire individuals who will hit the ground running with minimal training. Be sure to prepare extensively for an interview to avoid appearing rusty in a key area. Encourage the employer to put you to the test regarding technology or industry knowledge in order to prove that you are current. Many employers will assume you have lost your edge after being out of the industry unless you demonstrate otherwise.
You have passion for your primary profession. This is one of the most important points to prove to employers, especially if you left the industry voluntarily for other career pursuits. Depending upon your situation, you may describe your career passion as renewed or as one that never left you. If you left the industry because of pressing family issues, your career passion probably stayed with you. If you departed for a career change, you will need to persuade the employer that the passion for your main profession has been renewed.
You will achieve company objectives. Employers are interested in hiring individuals who will sink their teeth into a job and be focused on achieving key objectives. Again, you must convince the employer that your heart is in this profession and that you have put other career interests behind you. Display to employers your determination and stick-to-it attitude related to achieving company goals. The toughest situation to manage is when you have been let go for performance reasons and have been out of work for an extended period. In this scenario, be honest, document and quantify your successes, state what you learned from this experience, have several references ready to vouch for you, avoid criticism of your past employer and explain that it was simply not a good fit.
You are likely to stay long term. Employers are always looking at the potential long-term fit of an individual. They will be evaluating your career goals, ability to do the job and cultural fit. Convey to employers that you have had a great deal of time to think about exactly what you want to do in your career. Give as many reasons as possible why you would be satisfied, challenged and motivated in the position being offered. Also, emphasize the importance of maintaining stability in your career.
Ironically, there are many points you can stress to a prospective employer that may be considered positives or advantages if they were to hire you after a year or more of not working in your field. Below is a summary of common selling points to present to an employer if they apply to you.
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You have had a lot of time to think clearly about long-term career goals.
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You know better than ever what you want to do with your career.
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You have renewed passion for your primary profession.
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You are more motivated than ever.
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You are hungry to achieve big things.
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You are likely to stay long-term to maintain career stability.
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You have strong incentive to prevent an employment gap from recurring.
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You are available immediately.
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You have no non-compete issues.
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You are willing to accept a lesser salary to start.
When interviewing for a position in your field, acknowledge and be honest about employment gaps. Explain career relevance of time spent during gaps and show how you have been productive. Convey that you are 100% ready to make a long-term commitment to your primary profession by displaying passion, motivation and a drive to succeed.
Ken Pelczarski is owner and founder of Pelichem Associates, a Chicago-based search firm established in 1985 and specializing in the lubricants industry. You can reach Ken at (630) 960-1940 or at pelichem@aol.com.