Why its now normal to have a gap in your CV.

We can all remember when it was a huge 'No, No' to have a gap in your CV.

What happened? What went wrong?

Alarm bells would ring out from recruiters, HR teams and all the way down to the interviewer. Must have been a health issue right? or a family issue? and if it's not those, there must have been a performance issue!

Traditionally its always been deemed as a career taboo.

But not no more. It's now becoming 'a thing' and fortunately, it's becoming increasingly normalised. I believe this is healthy and good as long it's for the right reason and not just to become lazy and idle.

But Why?

I think there are two key reasons;

Firstly because its inevitable when taking into account the post-pandemic statistics. The Great Resignation saw?47.8 million US workers quit their jobs?in 2021 alone – many of them without other positions lined up. In the UK, by June 2022, there were?1.7 million economically inactive people?looking for work.?

In addition, the economic slowdown and worries about a future recession have caused businesses to announce waves of?job cuts coming into the new year,?particularly in tech. As a result of this disruption, CVs are starting to look different. They are beginning to feature more gaps in employment.

Secondly, people just want a break. They want to take stock and rediscover their purpose, their meaning. Find themselves and discover their 'whys' again.

A recent Microsoft?study?of 30,000 people revealed that 46% of workers are considering a major career pivot or transition. For many, this search goes beyond just a change of role and into the realm of personal renewal or reinvention.

CV gaps are being rebranded as ‘career breaks’ – a time when you take stock, recharge and potentially return to the workplace refocused or even upskilled.

This is cool because there is now an openness around discussing these gaps and a general curiosity about what you have done during your break. People are intrigued and I think it's because a good career break is within us all and on our minds more so than ever.

Because of this new openness to career gaps, there's no longer a need to hide it as people use to do, by labelling themself as a 'freelance consultant' whilst really on a career break.

People on LinkedIn can even highlight it on their profiles as a ‘career break’, where they can detail newly acquired skills or life experiences.

In its March 2022 survey of?23,000 global workers, 62% of employees said they’d taken a break?at some point in their professional career. This openness around resume gaps has coincided with a surge in redundancies, the shedding of the?layoff taboo?and workers writing?long, heartfelt farewell messages?on the platform highlighting their experience of being cut.

What can a career break offer?

A career break can offer people, a fresh perspective, a chance to upskill and learn and most importantly a chance to return to the workplace with newfound energy. Knowing what they value and appreciate more can also enhance their overall well-being in the workplace.

A career break doesn't mean a growth break. We are living in the age of the internet, so take advantage! I have and it has been one of the most rewarding things I've ever done.

However, be ready for that tough question about your gap with a good, informative response. You may not have been working, but you didn’t stop learning! Working on your skills and expanding your knowledge base can be as easy as taking certified courses online, or being fully up to speed on all that is happening in your industry.

Keep your friends and colleagues close whilst on a career break. Not working doesn't mean you need to go off 'grid'. It's a real chance to build connections or nurture the ones you may have not had time for whilst flat out at work.

Getting yourself ready for a new start is also a good idea as is really focusing on the future. You have may have adopted new skills, and new interests and who knows you be about to embark on a totally different path.

You may want to share all these great things on social media too and see where it leads. It's becoming increasingly important to own your story and there is power in sharing it with others. It builds trust, connection and confidence.

But for how long, should I take a break?

According to Adam Nicoll, group marketing director at recruitment and job-consulting firm Randstad, based in Luton, UK, a candidate that’s taken six months to?upskill?for a?career switch?may be judged more favourably than a job-seeker out of work for a year following burnout.

“It still relies on the individual tastes of the recruiter scrutinising the CV,” he adds. “Unfortunately, there are some hiring managers who will still look at someone taking a career break for mental-health reasons as demonstrating a lack of resilience. On the other hand, no one will ever think less of someone who’s taken time out to better themselves and learn new skills – it’s a CV gap that’s always been perceived positively.”

Likewise, a career pause for caring responsibilities has usually been treated sympathetically by hiring managers, says Nicoll. However, these carers – often women – may still be at a disadvantage against a similarly qualified jobseeker, especially if they’re an early-career candidate. “If someone had a year out to care for their family, they’ve still ultimately had a year’s less experience in the workplace. If it’s between someone who has three years’ experience versus someone who’s had four, there’s a more obvious difference in skill collection.”

If you're gearing up for a career break or you've just been laid off or you're just at a career crossroads, I can help.

As a career, lifestyle and transformation coach, I'm working closely 121 with clients on navigating through all these career factors whilst finding deeper purpose and meaning.

If you have lost your job and are eager to get back into the workplace my book 'You're Fired, You're Hired' will show you how. It's a powerful, straight-talking, no-nonsense guide on how to deal with unexpected job loss, redundancy or sudden career change.

I always recommend coaching. It's the gift of life and can change everything for you.?It did for me.?

Before I go please check out my resources and website below. These are all the things I work hard on to help you, become a better you!

Speak Soon.

Justin

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