Maybe you stayed home with kids. Maybe you cared for a parent, dealt with a health issue, went back to school or got laid off and the search dragged on. Whatever the reason, a few months or a few years away from work is common. Employers see it all the time. What helps most is walking back in with a plan. This guide covers how to update your work history, explain the gap in a sentence or two and figure out what kind of job fits your life right now.
A gap is not a dealbreaker
Recruiters care about a few things: Can you do the job? Can you work the schedule? Will you show up? A gap in your work history doesn’t answer any of those questions on its own. A short, honest explanation and a clear idea of what you want next usually matter more than the dates.
You don’t need to apologize for the time off or tell your whole story. You just need to be ready to talk about it briefly and then move on to what you can do.
Update your work history first
Before you apply anywhere, write down every job you’ve had, even the ones from a while back. For each one, note the job title, the company, roughly when you worked there and two or three things you did. If it’s been a long time, your memory may be fuzzy. Old pay stubs, tax forms or an old email account can help you fill in dates.
Then think about what you did during the gap. Many people pick up useful experience without calling it work:
- Managing a household budget and schedules
- Caring for a family member, including appointments and medications
- Volunteering at a school, church or food pantry
- Taking classes, earning a certificate or learning new software
- Side jobs, gig work or helping with a family business
Not all of it belongs on a resume, but some of it might. Volunteer work, classes and paid side jobs are worth listing. If you don’t have a resume yet, our guide on how to start building one walks through it step by step.
Prepare a short explanation of the gap
Someone will probably ask about the time off, so decide ahead of time what you’ll say. Keep it to two or three sentences: what happened, that it’s behind you and that you’re ready to work. Here are a few examples you can adapt.
- “I stayed home for four years to raise my kids. They’re both in school full time now, and I’m ready to get back to work.”
- “I took time off to care for my father. His care is now covered, and I can work a full schedule.”
- “I was laid off last year and took some classes while I looked. I’m looking for steady first-shift work.”
You don’t have to share medical details or personal history. “I was dealing with a family matter that’s now resolved” is a complete answer. Say it out loud a few times so it feels natural.
Be realistic about your availability
Your life may look different now than it did before the gap. Before you talk to a recruiter, get clear on the practical details:
- Which days and shifts you can work, and which you can’t
- How you’ll get to work, and how far you’re willing to travel
- Whether you need full-time or part-time hours
- When you can start
- Any childcare or caregiving schedule you have to work around
Being upfront saves everyone time. A job that looks good on paper won’t last if the hours don’t work for your family.
Look at what transfers
Skills don’t disappear because you took time off. If you worked in a warehouse, you still know how to work safely and keep a steady pace. If you worked in an office, you still know how to answer phones, keep records and stay organized. Time at home often adds to that: handling a busy schedule, solving problems on the fly and staying calm under pressure all carry over.
It can also help to keep an open mind about the type of role. Temporary or temp-to-hire work is one way to get recent experience on your record and see whether a job is a good fit before committing long term.
Talk to a recruiter
A staffing agency can be a good place to restart, because a recruiter’s job is to match people with openings that fit their skills and schedule. When you reach out to QLS, bring your work history, your contact details and a clear idea of the hours you can work. Our guide to preparing for your first conversation with QLS covers what to have ready and what to ask.
QLS works with job seekers in industrial and manufacturing, office and professional, hospitality and other fields.
Take the first step
Coming back after time away is easier with a little preparation. Update your work history, practice a short answer about the gap and know what schedule you can handle. Quality Labor Services has connected job seekers with jobs since 2009. Call or visit our office in Bensenville, Palatine, Waukegan, Kenosha or El Paso, or contact our team online to talk about getting back to work.
