How to successfully navigate a gap in employment.

Introduction

There are few things more nerve-wracking than a gap in employment. Whether it’s a layoff, maternity leave or something else entirely, it can be difficult to face questions about why you’re out of work, especially when everyone else is busy hustling and competing for jobs. This post will give you tips on how to navigate a gap in employment gracefully and successfully so that when it comes time for your next job interview, you won’t have anything to worry about!

Take advantage of the break

If you've been laid off, fired, or lost your job for any other reason, take advantage of the break to make some changes in your life. There are many things that can be done with an extended period of time off from work. You can travel, volunteer or intern for an organization that interests you, collaborate on a project with friends and family members, and enjoy time doing something new and exciting. If you have been working at the same job for several years or even decades (no shame!), it's possible that using all of this time off will give you the opportunity to discover new passions.

If none of these options seem appealing to you personally, perhaps starting a business would be more interesting? This is especially true if there has been any sort of unexplained "gap" in employment on your resume due to personal reasons such as illness or injury which resulted in needing more time away from work than usual

Stay current in your field

  • Stay current in your field. Keeping up with the latest technology, protocols and procedures will help you stay sharp and current.

  • Look for opportunities to volunteer. Volunteering can be a great way to get back into the swing of things without having to commit full-time hours, which may not be feasible given your financial situation at this point. You may also find that volunteering helps you build relationships within the community so that when it comes time to look for a job again there is already a network of people interested in helping you out!

  • Take classes if you can afford them. If taking courses or earning certifications will help keep your skills sharp while not requiring too much time away from work then do it! It’s important not only from an employability standpoint but also because it makes sense financially—if something costs more than $100 per class then maybe wait until after graduation when there are no more bills coming due every month like rent or car payments etcetera…

Build your network

The first step to successfully navigating a gap in employment is building your network. You should build your network by meeting new people and maintaining old relationships. It’s also important to understand that networking isn't just about finding jobs; it's also about creating opportunities for yourself. The more people you know, the more likely you are to come across new opportunities—and if you don't have many connections yet, there are plenty of ways to start building them.

Here are some ideas on how to begin networking:

  • Meet new people at professional events like conferences or industry meetups (or even just local networking events). These events will help you make connections with other professionals who may not be part of your current network but could potentially become valuable contacts later on down the road (and who knows? They might already work somewhere near where you live!).

  • Use LinkedIn as a place where people can find out more about what interests them professionally—not only does this make it easier for others within their field or industry to find out more information about themselves but it also makes it easy for anyone looking specifically at certain skillsets needed by companies around the world - which ensures that even if someone doesn't know much about what they do yet still want

Evaluate employment gaps

If you have a gap in your employment history, there are several things you should do to ensure that you will be able to successfully explain the absence.

If you’re trying to explain a gap in employment, the first thing to do is check out what types of questions employers ask during interviews and why they ask them. By understanding how employers use this information, it will help guide the way you answer these questions when they come up during an interview.

Employers often ask about gaps for three reasons: (1) because it helps them understand who their potential employees are and what their priorities are; (2) because it gives them insight into whether or not an applicant is reliable; and/or (3) because it allows them see if there are any red flags that may affect job performance down the road.

Prepare for interviews

Before you begin the interview, it's important to do some preparation. To ensure that you look your best and are fully prepared for any question that might be thrown at you, consider these tips:

  • Research the company and prepare a list of questions in advance. Knowing as much as possible about the job, the company, and its competitors will help you appear interested in working there.

  • Dress appropriately for the setting. If it’s an informal setting like a coffee shop or restaurant, wear something casual; if it’s more formal (a law office or accounting firm), dress up!

  • Be prepared to answer questions about your gap in employment by talking about how hard work has always been one of your strong suits—and how good it feels to be back on track! You could also mention that this time has helped build character and taught important lessons about life or work; for example: “I learned so much from my time off! I know exactly what kind of worker I am now—and what kind of boss would want me around."

Be positive about your gap in work experience.

When you're interviewing for a job, it's best to focus on what you've learned, gained and accomplished during the time that has passed since you last worked.

For example, if your last job ended because of downsizing and/or layoffs, don't focus on the negative aspects of that situation. Instead, talk about how you used that time to improve yourself in other ways (such as by volunteering or going back to school). Or if your employment was terminated due to personal reasons (e.g., illness), discuss how the experience changed your life for the better so that now you're ready for a new career opportunity.

A gap in employment doesn’t have to be a career-killer

A gap in employment doesn’t have to mean the end of your career. If you find yourself with a gap in employment, here are some ways to make the most of it:

  • Make a plan for what you can do during your time away from work. If possible, try to keep learning new skills or practicing old ones, such as networking and attending conferences or seminars related to your field. The more prepared you are for interviews when it comes time for them, the more successful they will be—and the easier it will be for employers who don’t know about your time away from work (or don't care) to see how valuable an employee you are.

  • Use this opportunity not just as preparation but also as networking! You never know who might know someone else who needs someone like yourself—and even if they don't hire right away (or ever), building relationships with co-workers can lead down other paths later on down the road if necessary.

Conclusion

While a gap in employment can be a concern when you’re looking for work, it doesn’t have to be. With the right approach and some preparation, you can successfully navigate your way through any break in your career.