Tips for managing job breaks or a career change
Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2025 4:11 am
Job breaks and career changes are becoming more common and can be effectively addressed on your resume to present your experience in a positive light. Here's how to handle these situations.
36. Be honest and brief about work interruptions
Address career gaps head-on, but provide a brief, positive explanation. If you’ve taken time off for personal reasons, a career break, or to develop your skills, you can include a short note in the experience section along the lines of: “Career Break (2021-2022) – Focus on personal development and skill acquisition.” Brief explanations can reassure recruiters that the break was intentional and productive.
37. Highlight transferable skills and achievements
Identify and highlight skills from previous roles that apply to the new industry or type of job.
Example
Skills such as project management, customer service or data analysis can be relevant in canadian cto cio email list different fields. Manage your skills according to the job description.
Specify how these skills have led to tangible achievements in previous roles. This will demonstrate that you can contribute effectively, even in a new industry.
38. Add a summary of your career or a statement of objectives
Including a summary or objective statement at the top of your resume can clarify your career change and show recruiters why you're a good fit for the new role.
Use this section to briefly mention your experience, what inspired your career change , and how your skills make you a good candidate.
Example
"Marketing expert transitioning to data analytics, leveraging deep understanding of audience insights and analytical tools to drive data-driven decisions."
39. Add volunteer work or freelance projects
If you have worked as a volunteer, on freelance projects, or on side hustles during your downtime, list these experiences in the "Relevant Experience" or "Volunteer Work" section.
Highlight skills you acquired or accomplishments you achieved in these roles to fill in gaps and demonstrate your proactive commitment, even if it wasn't a traditional job.
40. Highlight any relevant training, certifications or courses
If you've taken courses or earned certifications during your career break or to prepare for a new field, list them prominently on your resume. Adding an "Education" or "Professional Development" section will demonstrate your confirmation that you're staying current and gaining knowledge relevant to your new field.
36. Be honest and brief about work interruptions
Address career gaps head-on, but provide a brief, positive explanation. If you’ve taken time off for personal reasons, a career break, or to develop your skills, you can include a short note in the experience section along the lines of: “Career Break (2021-2022) – Focus on personal development and skill acquisition.” Brief explanations can reassure recruiters that the break was intentional and productive.
37. Highlight transferable skills and achievements
Identify and highlight skills from previous roles that apply to the new industry or type of job.
Example
Skills such as project management, customer service or data analysis can be relevant in canadian cto cio email list different fields. Manage your skills according to the job description.
Specify how these skills have led to tangible achievements in previous roles. This will demonstrate that you can contribute effectively, even in a new industry.
38. Add a summary of your career or a statement of objectives
Including a summary or objective statement at the top of your resume can clarify your career change and show recruiters why you're a good fit for the new role.
Use this section to briefly mention your experience, what inspired your career change , and how your skills make you a good candidate.
Example
"Marketing expert transitioning to data analytics, leveraging deep understanding of audience insights and analytical tools to drive data-driven decisions."
39. Add volunteer work or freelance projects
If you have worked as a volunteer, on freelance projects, or on side hustles during your downtime, list these experiences in the "Relevant Experience" or "Volunteer Work" section.
Highlight skills you acquired or accomplishments you achieved in these roles to fill in gaps and demonstrate your proactive commitment, even if it wasn't a traditional job.
40. Highlight any relevant training, certifications or courses
If you've taken courses or earned certifications during your career break or to prepare for a new field, list them prominently on your resume. Adding an "Education" or "Professional Development" section will demonstrate your confirmation that you're staying current and gaining knowledge relevant to your new field.