I’m more than 2 decades into HR and trust me, each time I’ve decided to go ahead and interview a candidate with career breaks, they’ve turned out to be the one of the best hiring decisions of my career.

These individuals, armed with a wealth of life experiences, brought a perspective and maturity to the table that set them apart.

A resume is not just a piece of paper; it’s a snapshot of a person’s professional narrative. It doesn’t reveal the full spectrum of skills, adaptability, and determination that someone brings back after a career break.

So, let’s challenge the notion of dismissing resumes with career breaks. Let’s extend our support and offer a chance to those individuals whose life stories, beyond the paper, might just defy our expectations.

To all those who’re going through a similar situation, try this:

-> Instead of leaving the space empty and leaving questions running in the HR’s mind, go creative with your break and own it. Own your narrative. Well, how to do this will depend entirely on your situation. For example- you were laid off- mention the projects and skills you undertaken during that period.

Turn negative -> positive.

Remember, a career break is not the end; it’s the beginning of a remarkable second act.

What’s your perspective on career breaks?