Resume gaps aren’t red flags. They’re life happening.

It’s time we rethink how we view career breaks (if you haven’t already)

Gaps in a resume used to raise eyebrows. But today, they often reflect real, human experiences: raising a child, caring for a loved one, facing health challenges, pursuing education, relocating, dealing with layoffs, or even taking a step back to figure out the next move.

Behind every gap, there can be a story of resilience, adaptability, and growth.

Instead of asking, “Why the gap?” we should be asking:

• What skills did you develop during that time?
• What perspectives did you gain?
• How did those experiences shape who you are today?

When we lead with empathy in hiring, we unlock better conversations, uncover stronger candidates, and build more inclusive workplaces. People who have navigated real challenges often bring unmatched problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and grit to the table.

Companies that value these qualities will outpace those stuck in outdated models of “perfect” career paths.

Next time you review a resume with a gap, pause. Ask yourself:
“Am I judging a timeline, or am I seeing the person behind it?”

Because the best teams aren’t built by choosing the most linear careers — they’re built by choosing the most capable, resilient people as our business world is certainly NOT linear.

Let’s lead with understanding, not assumptions.

This IS personal!

When I began my career, as I earlier stated : “Gaps in a resume used to raise eyebrows” — we were trained that they were possibly red flags and to sniff those out. The bias was that there must have been a reason for the gap: Unreliable, irresponsible, least valuable, not desirable. It took years to shake it. After hearing the reasoning for years, my view changed to understand that perhaps the flags were true, but more-likely, the reasons were valid, or what you learned about the person exhibited integrity. Yes, you learned things that made you feel proud of that person’s actions.

This happened to me a few times in my career: I lost my job during the dot-com crash. Later, due to COVID. Finally due to a company pivot to an outsourced RPO-supported model. In my last gap, I helped an elderly relative through chemotherapy after a lung cancer diagnosis, another elderly relative through ulcers and kidney stones, and finally a third through cancer and later death, all within one year. While I already had compassion and empathy for people who said they used time to care for a sick loved one, I lived it, and can not only share kind words, but now experiences.

“Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.”

I’ll leave that quote from the late, great, Robin Williams right there.

My .02

A little about me:  I’ve been involved in Human Capital and Talent Acquisition leadership and advisory for over 25 years.  My quest is to expedite hiring processes, bring the best people to the best companies through relationships, process, and technology, AND to help people along the way.

#Hiring #TalentAcquisition #Leadership #CareerBreaks #EmpathyInHiring #InclusiveWorkplaces #FutureOfWork