Mind the Gap: How Career Breaks Build Better Professionals

My business is called WanderList+Go (https://www.wandertowin.com/), but I host career workshops via Lu.ma called the Wander to Win Collective (https://lu.ma/calendar/manage/cal-zpT4naB4MjXs991).

Connect with Daniele Owens on Instagram and TikTok: @wandertowin.

A few weeks ago, I had a coffee chat with an old friend from college where we spoke about everything that had happened to us between now and about 2012/2013. After almost a decade had gone by, we picked up right where we left off. I had travelled the world, hustled hard in NYC, and had become a bougie auntie who brings back my nephew delicious, delectable treats from Istanbul and Paris. She had moved to Denver in a beautiful, naturous world of mountains, with great sunrises and sunset quiet. She has two dogs that she loves dearly and is married with her son who was a little over a year old. Although our lives changed since our Spartan days, it was great to speak with her and really dig into the details.

As a mom would, after she delivered her son, she became a stay-at-home mum which has been her joy in her life but looking at the job market had been daunting for her. We're both no strangers to layoffs and the world has been looking a bit spooky lately. She knows that living on one income is impossible these days, although her husband makes pretty good money and she's wondering what she'll have to contend with when going back into the world.

After this conversation, it made me think about a lot of things. Career gaps have never been a new thing, but the circumstances of which you have one has opened the minds of talent acquisition leaders. The layoffs, and economic instability of Americans in particular has caused a lot of gaps and the gaps could be for a multitude of reasons, both in and out of our control. Layoffs, family expansion, mental wellness, becoming a caretaker… there are many reasons. I think that at one point, folks tried to disguise these career gaps as sabbaticals so they would sound better. But I'd like to invite you to just dig a bit deeper and go beyond the actions and let's interrogate the why.

Americans tend to glorify the hustle and the gap can feel like a blip in our professional stories that was never supposed to happen. We don't talk about the spaces between jobs with the same enthusiasm as promotions. Just think about it, we praise Deborah who hasn't taken a vacation in five years, but we side-eye the candidate who was on a 1-year break because their role (although they love it) was mentally taxing, leading them to explore their creative side as an artist. We celebrate 100-hour work weeks, but question the "commitment" of someone who decided to take a risk on themselves by turning a hobby into a viable stream of income.

I beg you, make it make sense! The truth sits right in the middle of our contradictions: We claim to want employees who are well-rounded with rich lives outside the office because they bring value to our work. But heaven forbid someone actually takes time to build that rich life! Oh no, call the cavalry when professionals dare to interrupt the sacred timeline of employment.

We have been looking at career gaps ALL WRONG. Ten toes, we've been looking at career gaps from a narrow lens.

We forget that careers, like life, rarely follow a path we set. There is no such thing as a perfect career trajectory and it's almost been more fantasy than reality for most and yet, we cling to it. We're being unreasonable and outdated with how we look at others.

Jobs are one thing, but life is the biggest teacher. Consider this: the same gap that makes a hiring manager hesitate might be precisely the experience that makes someone a more empathetic leader, a more innovative thinker, or simply a more grounded human being. The parent who navigated the chaos of remote schooling during a pandemic has masterclasses in adaptability that no corporate training could provide. The professional who burnt out, stepped away, and returned has insights into sustainable work that could transform a toxic workplace.

If you're in the midst of a career gap or trying to re-enter the workforce after one, here are some approaches to help you get through to the other side and help you land the role you deserve.

1. Reframe Your Narrative

Your gap isn't a hole in your story—it's a chapter. Think about what you learned, how you grew, or what you accomplished. Did you develop patience? Problem-solving skills? A new perspective on work-life balance? These are the things that money cannot buy and could be exactly what the recruiter is looking for.

2. Stay Connected (Without the Anxiety)

It's easy when you've been out of the game for a long time to have anxiety and to think that you're not worthy because you don't have a job or you've been out of the field. Nobody can take away your experience, but it is important to have your finger on the pulse of what you would be walking back into. Here are some ways to help:

• Low-pressure networking: Coffee catch-ups or quick Zoom calls with folks in your network to ask how they've been and what they have seen lately. Text an old colleague: "In town next week. Coffee?"

• Industry learnings and involvements: Join online communities or contribute to discussions in your field. Even occasional participation keeps you visible.

• Selective social media: You don't need to be everywhere. Pick one platform relevant to your field and engage thoughtfully.

• Build a personal brand: Just because you stopped working does not mean your identity as a professional goes out the window. Share your expertise with the world via LinkedIn, Substack, or whatever social platform fills your cup.

3. Mind the Skills Gap

With technology affecting all industries rapidly, it's helpful to learn skills that you would potentially learn on the job. Think about when you left, was there anything that was of interest to you? As you've been combing through job boards and LinkedIn posts, is there any software or skills popping up frequently? Take note and follow suit.

• Free or low-cost learning: Platforms like Coursera and YouTube offer quality content without breaking the bank.

• Project-based learning: Consider taking on a small project that demonstrates your abilities—whether paid or volunteer.

• Transferable skills inventory: List skills you've developed during your gap that transfer to the workplace.

4. Resume Strategies That Work

I find that this is the most exciting part because you can focus on skills over the gap. This allows you to highlight all the things that you've learned and done to show to an employer that you are well-rounded, a go-getter and the person they should consider for the role because you do the job or have pursued the skills outside of the 9 to 5. That shows grit.

• Focus on skills over chronology: Consider a functional resume that emphasises capabilities rather than timeline.

• Look beyond paper and go video: Video resumes are excellent conversation starters for any professional opportunity.

• Be honest but strategic: Brief, matter-of-fact explanations beat elaborate cover-ups. "Family caregiving, 2021-2022" is perfectly acceptable.

• Highlight gap activities: Include relevant volunteer work, freelance projects, or educational pursuits during your gap.

5. Interview With Confidence

The gap is just a blip in time. It doesn't define you but what you did with it matters. Being able to speak to it confidently is what will give you the competitive edge. Your confidence will take you further than you could think.

• Practice your explanation: Keep it brief, positive, and focused on return. "I took time to care for my parent after a stroke. That experience actually taught me a lot about crisis management and prioritisation. I'm excited to bring those skills back to the workplace."

• Redirect to value: After acknowledging the gap, pivot to what you bring to the table now.

• Ask questions that showcase your knowledge: Demonstrate you've kept up with industry trends despite your absence.

The future of work requires resilience, adaptability, and the kind of perspective that often comes from navigating life's messier moments. If you have a gap, it could be your superpower. Life is queer with its twists and turns, and we should stop asking people to apologise for their gaps and start asking what they gained from it.

After all, it's often in the breaks—the pauses, the gaps, the unexpected detours—that we find our way back to ourselves. And isn't that the kind of wholeness we actually want to bring to our work?

Special thanks to Haley ONeill for collecting this list for HR/People roles. Make sure to connect or follow her on LinkedIn for all things recruiting.

P.S. I am not the recruiter for these roles. Please do your due diligence and click the link that is provided to learn more about each role.

🌼 Abnormal Security, Talent Acquisition Enablement Manager: https://lnkd.in/eyEH3i8t

🐝 GE HealthCare, Employment Offer & Onboarding Cooridnator: https://lnkd.in/e4vZdERv

🌼 Zoom, Global Head of Benefits: https://lnkd.in/eyFtyapF

🐝 Fliff Inc, People Operations Coordinator: https://lnkd.in/eXTHPq9g

🌼 Coinbase, Program Manager, Employee & Workplace Experience: https://lnkd.in/eck5V9ej

🐝 Atlassian, Senior Technical Recruiter: https://lnkd.in/eqfwA_Jj

🌼 Alma, Senior Manager, Talent Development: https://lnkd.in/eCNKkrnq

🐝 DraftWise, Lead Recruiter & People Operations Partner: https://lnkd.in/ejqsN_Zy

🌼 Talkiatry, HR Business Parnter: https://lnkd.in/ekMuu_zm

🐝 Root Inc., Director of Technical Talent Acquisition and Strategic Sourcing: https://lnkd.in/e7Ze6j5h