Unemployment Is Not A Sin
Employers and employees should embrace resume gaps
I quit my last position after only eight months. I left for several reasons, but the driving force was my health, which was declining. My work was suffering as a result, and as someone who does not like to let others down, these missteps gave me severe anxiety. I was very passionate about the work I was doing and I never imagined myself leaving this position any time soon.
In hindsight, this passion is likely what led me to push my limits for longer than I should have.
Things came to a head when my mom went to the hospital for a heart procedure and I was unable to be there with her. I had a breakdown that day.
During this surge of emotions, I remember my hair falling on my face and frustrating me. I guess my hands and mind were desperately searching for a distraction from what I was feeling, because minutes later, I was cutting off four inches of hair in my bathroom sink. I knew then it was time for a break. I had reached my limit.
After resigning, I was deeply depressed for about a week. But after finding a therapist and talking about everything, I realized I had been ignoring my physical and emotional needs and had actually made myself sick. This was a powerful realization, and it freed me to use my time off to restore my health.
I started going on long walks and began to lose the weight I had gained during the early days of COVID. I reengaged in activities I hadn’t even realized I stopped doing, reading the first book I had read in months and re-learning French through music and TV. I scheduled much-needed visits with my primary care doctor and dentist.
In January — two months after I left my job — I began volunteering with a literacy center — helping them with their communications wherever I was needed. I went through the training to volunteer with a local sexual assault response center that provides vital aftercare and support. In February, I started writing for fun again, publishing one blog that had been in draft form since 2019. I created a WordPress site to house my writing samples for future employers to view, and I stayed busy writing policy papers, more blogs, and even short stories.
In April, my mother had her hip replaced, and this time I was able to be there for her. A week later, on Easter Sunday, her mother passed away peacefully in her sleep. As my mother grieved, I kicked into gear and cleaned my grandparents’ house from top to bottom, dug up photo albums for the memorial, and cared for my grandfather.
As summer approached, I was 25 pounds lighter and stronger, and my mind was clearer than it had been in years. The time I had taken off had allowed me to recover in ways I hadn’t even known I needed, and most importantly, I was strong enough to be there for the people who had always been there for me.
Despite all the new skills I gained during this time, as I look to reenter the workforce, I am finding it difficult to get an interview. The gap in my resume is not easy to succinctly explain, and although I try, it feels like any explanation gets overlooked.
Recently I had a phone screen with a recruiter who asked me about the gap. I briefly explained some of the above to her.
“So you left a paying job to what? Volunteer?” she asked in a snarky tone.
I reiterated my answer, but she was clearly unsatisfied with it, and the rest of the interview was unpleasant.
I’ll admit, it is hard not to feel discouraged. It seems like I prioritized my health and now my career is paying the price. It also appears that despite how many companies claim to care about their employees’ work-life balance, gaps in your resume are still something hiring managers view as a red flag. And my career break is short compared to individuals who take time off to raise children or care for ailing family members. I can only imagine how difficult it must be for them to get back into the workforce.
I write this to give an honest account of what some people face reentering the workforce. I also hope this shows employers (and employees) that a gap in a person’s resume does not equate to a loss of skill, nor does it speak to the character or work ethic of the individual. In fact, time off can be part of what makes someone a strong candidate. The way I spent my gap reflects the empathy I bring to my clients and colleagues and highlights my best characteristics — loyalty, commitment, and passion.
And for all those struggling to reenter the workforce, I want you to know that I see you and I understand what you’re going through. Remember, life has ups and downs for everyone, and your value can never be measured by a job title or a salary. All of your life experiences are worthwhile and give you skills that others may not have, so keep your chin up.
