How bad is a resume gap really

[Anonymous]

Was just reading an article about how a resume gap of over a year is like the kiss of death if its over a year. I'm sure some truth to that but is it overblown?

Let's say you have a great resume and big list of achievements and are burned out. Like service partner at respected law firm. But you are 45 and have saved a bunch and have a few million in the bank. So you spend a year hiking the Appalachian trail and visiting your aunt in Korea or whatever. Then you look for a new job. Are you like done?

What if you start a business but it fizzles?

Anyways I'm not at a law firm but the rest of the analysis is true. I could take a break at 45 from a financial standpoint and then come back and do more. Or I can just push to 50 and have more than enough and pretty much just admit I may be walking away from full time work for good. Is option #1 reckless?

[Anonymous]

It depends. If you have a great resume and relevant skills, no one is going to care about a one or two year gap.

If your skills and contacts are rusty it is a different story, but that generally takes more than a year.

[Anonymous]

Could you put a consultant type job (employ yourself) on your resume to fill in the gap?

[Anonymous]

I guess so. One can't just say, "I worked hard and saved well for 20 years and wanted a moment to reflect before starting a new adventure."

I think having the means to walk at 45 is so rare most people won't believe it and will assume you are actually strapped.

[Anonymous]

It’s a big roll of the dice. From the employer’s perspective, you’re saying “I got tired of grinding.” Well they want grinders, not hikers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s a big roll of the dice. From the employer’s perspective, you’re saying “I got tired of grinding.” Well they want grinders, not hikers.

I get the perception but the reality is sometimes people get refreshed and renewed after a break.

[Anonymous]

I was at that point when I was 42 and quit my job. Not that I am rich and have only enough for a $100k per year retirement. Now I am 51 and have not gone back to work yet. After COVID I might enjoy a little bit of working in an office environment, having been cooped up at home real tight. So I might start looking for work next year. I am in software. Male. Will see how it goes.

I am not able to answer your questions OP but wanted to share my own experience. Very happy to have taken a break or early retirement if that is what it ends up being.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s a big roll of the dice. From the employer’s perspective, you’re saying “I got tired of grinding.” Well they want grinders, not hikers.

I get the perception but the reality is sometimes people get refreshed and renewed after a break.

Exactly how I would explain the gap - I took a year off to serve you better!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s a big roll of the dice. From the employer’s perspective, you’re saying “I got tired of grinding.” Well they want grinders, not hikers.

I get the perception but the reality is sometimes people get refreshed and renewed after a break.

Fine, but many employers won’t see it that way/will worry it won’t be that way for a given candidate. It feels less risky to just take someone who has stayed grinding.

[Anonymous]

I have one while I was working on my PhD. I have been asked about it but I got a lot of publications and did my data collection, so I have evidence of work so to speak.

[Anonymous]

Assuming your job doesn't jeopardize your health, I'd push through to fifty. Life is pretty boring right now due to covid. It's not a good time to travel, socialize, etc. I'd build more of a cushion first if quitting now means you'd have to work later. Because you could try to go back to work and therefore make way less money per year and wind up working overall more years.

Make sure you take all your vacation time, though! That's importnat

[Anonymous]

I took a year off after my husband’s suicide. I explained it as caring for family and just focused on my previous position, lengthy involvement in trade associations, and my publications. So, I’d say it depends on the rest of your resume and how you sell yourself.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. I am 37 now and just planning so covid is not a concern. I expect I'll be lame and just push to 50 and then take a break once I have well more than I need. There will probably be another downturn again so would be good to first get through that and be adding $$ at the bottom.

Still its a little disappointing how rigid our culture is but my impulse is to not slow down until I'm 100% sure the marathon us done so I get it and appreciate the feedback.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I took a year off after my husband’s suicide. I explained it as caring for family and just focused on my previous position, lengthy involvement in trade associations, and my publications. So, I’d say it depends on the rest of your resume and how you sell yourself.

. I am sorry to hear that and hope the time was helpful in recovering.

[Anonymous]

If the person interviewed well and employment was stable prior to the hiatus, I wouldn’t hold it against them. Working at a different company each year is a red flag to me.