How to Build a Career After a Long Employment Gap

Most people feel like an employment gap is a hindrance to there career. They mostly feel like going back into the work force may be difficult because the work place has evolved. You may some times feel like your employer will only focus on the gap and not the skills and experience you have. However having an employment gap  doesn’t mean you have to start all over again just focus rebuilding your career, demonstrating your ability and showing your employer where you fit into.

1. Identify what has changed in your industry:   

Try to see how your industry has changed before you apply for any job. Make research on job boards, look for job requirements, any skills appear regularly on job descriptions and different job titles. Check recent job descriptions, roles and skills employers ask for repeatedly, this tells you what you need to learn.

2. Update your skills:

You don’t necessarily need to go back to university after an employment gap. If your previous skills are outdated take some online courses, certification, practice the skills you have gained and take on some projects to demonstrate your usefulness to your employers. It is important to focus on skills that employers need rather than having different certifications with no purpose.

3. Start rebuilding experience:

If you have been away from work for a few years applying for a full time position may not be the best thing to do at that time. Try to take on some freelance projects, volunteery work, internships, temporary positions or even personal projects. This gives you experience, shows your employer not just what is written on your CV  but what  you can do, it helps to add to your achievements on your CV and it show the employer that you were working on your self during the break.

4. Rebuild your professional network :

People that you have worked with can be very useful when returning to the workforce. Before you start asking everyone you know for a job try to reconnect with old Co workers and tell them that you want to go back into the industry and you are interested in going back into that field. Through networking you can learn about the position you are going into and types of jobs that are advertised.

5. Rewrite your CV around your value:

Don’t make the employment gap very noticeable in your CV. You don’t need to give them a long explanation about the gap just make it short, simple and reasonable if the gap needs to be explained. Focus on highlighting your skills, and achievements like some courses that you have taken or certifications. Make sure you mention the ones that employers need and  list them where they are needed.

6. Consider a stepping stone role : 

You may need to take a position that is slightly lower than where you stopped. You can try to take on a related position or contract work to build experience for higher positions. Your first job after a gap doesn’t have to be your last destination. Don’t just accept any job your old skills are still valuable.

7. Prepare for questions about the gap:

Employers may ask you question about the gap. Make your answers short, truthful and try your best not to be too defensive. Make sure you emphasize on what you can do and not why you were away.

8. Use your online presence strategically :

Update your LinkedIn profile and other personal platforms to correspond to the role you are applying for. Your headline, skills, projects and professional summary make the type of job you are applying for clear. Employers will see this as evidence that you are trying to rebuild your career.

9. Apply strategically rather than randomly :

Do not spend hours on applying for any job after an employment gap. Look for jobs that require skills that match your previous skills and experience. Make your CV specifically for the position you are applying for and to demonstrate your achievements. Look for employers that have returnship, career re-entry or return to work programs.

10. Give your self time to rebuild :

It can take a long time to find a job after an employment gap and being rejected doesn’t mean you are unemployable. Try to recover the experience you have missed. It is a process of recovering your current skills, recent experience, professional relationships and ability to show your skills. Don’t try to hide the gap, make your current skills, qualifications and what you can offer today evidence that the gap is not important.