Let’s talk about career gaps

Read original article

What’s top of mind at the watercooler.

After living through a global pandemic, a volatile economy, and changes in the workplace for the past two years, some of you may have chosen to take a break from your careers. Whether you paused to be a stay-at-home parent or reassess your priorities, on paper, your professional life may appear to have been interrupted. But if you decide to rejoin the workforce, how do you explain a resume gap? Sidekick spoke with two talent and recruitment professionals—Erin Scruggs, VP of talent acquisition at LinkedIn, and Neesha Guliani, senior recruiter at Mineral—for their tips on discussing sabbaticals.

First, negative stigmas associated with career breaks are “starting to change,” Scruggs told Sidekick, adding that almost half of hiring managers believe people with resume gaps are talent waiting to be tapped, according to a LinkedIn survey.

“What employers are realizing is that there are many benefits for taking a career break: learning a new skill, raising a family, or finding a new passion in life,” she said.