Notes on Dealing with a Gap in Employment

Larry Wilson, MSW, LSW, Career Counselor, Social Worker

June 15, 2023

Gaps in employment can happen for a lot of reasons – some by choice, some by necessity. Reasons may include:

• ·        Illness

• ·        Caregiving responsibilities

• ·        Incarceration or home confinement

• ·        Getting laid off from a long-time job

• ·        Getting fired for cause

• ·        And others…

The problem with any candidate’s gap in employment, from the HR or hiring manager’s point of view, is that it is viewed as a potential red flag:

• ·        Is the candidate up to date in their technical skills? Professional skills?

• ·        Does the candidate have the energy and commitment necessary to reenter the workforce and perform at an acceptable level?

• ·        Is the candidate’s gap, or the reason for it, an indication that they could be a problem employee?

• ·        Is the candidate’s gap an indication that they have lost their confidence?

• ·        Is there any other negative reason for the gap?

So, when looking for a job after a gap in employment, here are a few guidelines:

First off, your mantra should be:  That was then, this is now. In other words, no matter what has happened, it is in the past. What is important is what you have to offer, now.

• ·        For any gap in employment, you may be asked to explain the then. For some, that will involve explaining family responsibilities – circumstances required that you become primary caregiver for kids, become primary caregiver for a sick parent or relative, and/or serve as the executor of an estate. For others, it will involve acknowledging previous mistakes – for example, you were young and made some mistakes, and ended up being fired from your job, or being incarcerated or serving a sentence of home confinement. For others, it may be that you were laid off from an employer where you had served from many years, felt blindsided, and were not quite sure where to turn or what to do next. NOTE:  Some “thens” may be disqualifying for some employers. And often there is no way to tell which ones. Regardless, it is important to own the past, without any shame or lack of confidence. What is, is.

• ·        The key to being seriously considered as a hire is how you handle the “now” part. There may be doubts about your character, motivation, and/or skills. The key to handling these doubts on behalf of an employer is evidence.

  • If there could be perceived character issues, such as for someone formerly incarcerated, then representatives from anti-recidivism programs, instructors from employment training programs, or supervisors of volunteer or community service assignments, can vouch for your record. You came in on time, did the job, provided good customer service, etc.

  • If there are concerns about motivation, then the most important thing is the energy and focus you bring to the interview. Projecting energy and enthusiasm, doing your research on the employer, and asking relevant questions when you have the chance, can show that you are motivated and are ready to bring your energy and enthusiasm to the workplace. They are your evidence!

  • If there are concerns about whether your skills are current, you can address those in a number of ways:

    • Joining LinkedIn groups associated with your profession and participating in them.

    • Posting current content to LinkedIn – easy to do by reposting relevant content from your connections.

    • Taking a refresher course, or training on the highlights of a new software release, or starting a certification process, and listing all this on your resume. NOTE: if a certification requires three courses, you can enroll in one, and list the expected completion of your certification at a future date.

    • Attending a relevant conference – especially if you can moderate a session – there is often a demand for moderators.

In summary, you explain the “then” without any trace of shame or lack of confidence, then demonstrate that in the “now” you are qualified and ready for service. It is true that this is easier said than done, and that these steps don’t guarantee that you will get hired quickly – but they do give you the best chance to get hired by employers willing to consider qualified candidates in spite of gaps in employment.