HOW TO EXPLAIN A MENTAL HEALTH BREAK EMPLOYMENT GAP ON RESUME INSPIRED BY SIMONE BILES + NAOMI OSAKA
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- Опубліковано 7 вер 2024
- HOW TO EXPLAIN A MENTAL HEALTH BREAK EMPLOYMENT GAP ON YOUR RESUME INSPIRED BY SIMONE BILES + NAOMI OSAKA
• HOW TO EXPLAIN A MENTA...
Simone Biles withdrew from Olympics competitions. Naomi Osaka withdrew from Wimbledon. Both for personal reasons. And despite both athletes being the GOATs, their withdrawals from world-class competitions is super relatable. (Edit: at the time of recording, Simone Biles had not yet returned to compete in the beam competition, taking the bronze medal).
I know that we can all relate to needing to take time away from work for our own mental health and healing. So what if you are taking or have taken a mental health break and are now ready to launch into your job search? How do you explain a mental health break employment gap on your resume?
It’s actually very easy, and this video will cover exactly how to explain a mental health break on resumes and how to explain the resulting employment gap on resumes.
When taking a mental health break, I want you to focus on healing, and not worry about how to explain a career gap on resumes or how to explain a resume gap.
So I made this video for you.
If you want to learn how to explain a mental health break employment gap on resumes, make sure to watch this video by yours truly, Kamara Toffolo, Linkedin Top Voice 2020!
#mentalhealth #mentalhealthbreak #employmentgap
If you want job search tips for 2021, interview tips and advice for 2021, resume tips for 2021,resume writing advice for 2021,resume writing tips for 2021,insights on how to write a good resume in 2021, tips on how to write a resume in 2021, and encouragement for updating your resume in 2021, make sure you subscribe to my channel for new job search videos every week!
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Have you taken a personal leave from work? Have you struggled with explaining this on your resume while honouring your own privacy? I’m here to help. Let me know in the comments how I can give you a hand addressing this employment gap on your resume.
How do you recommend explaining this in the interview?
@@shayh. explain you took a temporary personal leave and redirect the conversation to the fact that you're ready to step into your next role, and why you're the right person for it.
I'm currently healing from quitting a toxic work environment. It's only been a week and I see improvements in my health. I have four interviews in line next week and I am apprehensive about addressing this. My plan was to say that I left my last job to address some health issues or to say that I disagreed with the management there. What would you suggest?
@@aclady2295 glad to hear your health is improving and so quickly. It really shows how toxic that environment was.
Congrats on landing 4 interviews!
Let's reframe this toward the positive - so making it more about moving toward something rather than escaping something.
What was the job title you left and what are the job titles you're interviewing for this week?
@@thatswhatshesaid the toxic workplace was a photographer position but I wore multiple hats. Of course that led to burnout. I’m interviewing for receptionist, admin, graphic and photography positions.
Love everything about this video: the tips, their tactical nature so they’re quite specific and your calm non-judgmental tone. Health is everything: Mental, physical and spiritual and jobs and careers are nothing without it
Oh thank you so much Sonal!!! That means a lot to me.
Excellent overview - I've left jobs without one lined up because it was a toxic workplace and it was worth it. Spent the time hiking, running and spending time for ME. I took classes to keep myself going but yes you're spot on that your health is #1.
Thanks for sharing your story! What were your experiences like with your post-mental health break job searches when you felt ready to start them?
@@thatswhatshesaid When I was going through job searches, I just told them that took personal leave. Done. Some people weren't all that nice about it while the more enlightened people understood.
I’m so glad I came across this video. I’ve been having a difficult time explaining why I have a year + gap on my resume. I’m currently job searching (nurse of 4 years) and it has been difficult trying to find the words to explain my mental health break. Thank you.
So glad this was helpful!
What most impresses me about this video is that it offers simple practical advice on one of the most important questions of the day. So it is good to see you are off early from the starting blocks. I hope many people can benefit from this advice - thx.
Thank you Nigel! That’s great feedback.
Great points! Own the gap but strategically.
Thank you!!!
Wow this is amazing, I quit my 13yr job in April as well due to mental health break … thank you for your help I haven’t had a resume in over 15yrs
Happy to help! Did you have a chance to watch my video on having one long job? ua-cam.com/video/uSFfRV840Wo/v-deo.html
Hi, could you please do a video for people on disability for their mental health and have had REALLY long mental health breaks, i haven’t worked or done anything since 2008 because of major depressive disorder, ADHD, social anxiety disorder/generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, severe anorexia where I almost died and I was hospitalised involuntarily every year from 2013 til 2016, and severe PTSD and BPD from a 5 year violent and psychologically abusive marriage where he wouldnt let me get a job. All my diagnosis are from a psychiatrist so I can get proof of all that. I am medicated but it has taken years to get back on my feet after my divorce in 2017 due to crippling anxiety and ptsd because I never got any justice and that really messed me up even more. I have been bedridden with depression most days. But I know a job would help me keep busy and not dwell on bad thoughts and overthinking. Please help :( I feel hopeless. I’m 33 and feel like it’s too late. I have no hobbies or anything because I have no motivation because of depression and ptsd. And I have no belief in myself or support system (friends/family)
First of all, I'm so sorry to hear all that you've been having to work through. That is a lot. If you haven't worked since 2008, and you're only 33 now, then if my math is correct, you last worked when you were 19/20? What was your job?
Also, what is your target job now?
Given that you stopped working at such a young age, it's unlikely that you had a chance to build much of a career simply because you had only just graduated high school most likely?
With all that said - in your very unique scenario, I wouldn't be treating 2008 to now as a career gap, I would recommend treating this as a fresh start and refer to my video on writing a resume with no work experience.
While I don't have advice for motivation, let me know about your target job and I can suggest some things to do to beef up your resume.
Thanks for sharing this great video info and valuable tips...!
Thanks for watching and commenting Lucy!
Kamara, you're very compassionate, honestly dedicated and kind. Thanks for being you! ❤🤗
Thank you so much for your kind words!!!
@@thatswhatshesaid ❤🤗👍
Hi Kamara. Thanks for this. I left my job 2 years ago because of my mental health. I was in software product management in the same company for a while, progressed in roles, but had to address my challenge eventually. It took 2 years through a variety of clinics, trial and error, but have progressed and am ready to go back to that field. And while I’ve done things like expand my knowledge in my field through education and a certificate, I spent most of those years trying to recover. And I don’t know how to address this gap on my resume and LinkedIn. And I’d love additional guidance. Thanks!
Sam - I'm glad to hear you're doing well! We really want to make sure we're being protective of our confidential and private information on our resume. On LinkedIn, you don't need to address the gap. But on your resume, because you did take some courses and obtain a certificate, I would focus on that work.
So a one-liner would do, and say something like: "Completed Certificate in [Specialty] and engaged in professional development on topics including [name 2 or 3]; ready to step into next role as Product Manager"
...and that's it. No need to reveal the personal side of what happened. If you hadn't also spent some of your time recovering in continuing education, I would recommend a different approach. But you DO have it, and that puts you in a good spot.
@@thatswhatshesaid Thanks for this! It’s super helpful. If during the interviews I get asked, why’d you leave Cornerstone? Would I just focus on those points then, or expand on something like “I had a health challenge that I needed treatment for that is now resolved” also?
@@samkashikar2794 that's a good question. We want to avoid revealing any personal health details.
Can you tell me a bit more about the type of software product you'd like to target next? And what your product was before?
@@thatswhatshesaid
Sure. I product managed an array of products to help solve unmet needs in workforce management at a pretty reputable company in silicon beach. I'm open to PM roles that look to solve issues that I'm interested in provided that the company is or intends to be product-led.
I'm also concerned about how to "fill the gap" on my linkedIn. I'm concerned that if I just leave the end date at my last job two years ago without explanation that recruiters won't want to reach out too. I find it interesting that people can put "took care of my child" or "helped my sick parent" in there, but when it comes to their own health it's taboo.
With what has happened in the world, recruiters are caring less and less about career gaps, and don't expect that they'll be defined on your LinkedIn especially.
In interviewing, it's all about bringing the conversation back to how you can solve business needs. So if someone asks why you left Cornerstone, your response could be something positive about the role eg. "At Cornerstone, I had the opportunity to work with a wide range of products. In particular I really enjoyed [product or work that relates to the company that you're interviewing with], and appreciated seeing the impact it had on [customer]. I decided I wanted to expand my knowledge in [certificate specialty] and step into a role that allowed me to have even more impact on customers challenged with [main pain point interviewing-employer's product solve]."
In short, you're making it all about THEM, the employer and what their vision is, and how you can be a part of it.
Thank you
You're most welcome!
I am just coming across your video. My issue is that I walked away from a company after almost 11 years, because it was literally making me sick. Once I started getting my feet wet back in the workforce with a long term temp assignment, Covid struck. And we all know how that went. During this time I've done some temp work, as well as work as an independent insurance agent. Should I mention items like this to explain the gap as well? I really want to get back out there.
Yes. Definitely mention the temp work, especially emphasizing the assignments that were most related to your target job.
You don’t need to say much. In fact only a couple bullets are really necessary for the [month year you left your toxic job] to present time frame.
Let me know if you have further questions.
My dad became very sick in college, after graduating his health continued to decline. I decided to move after college and landed a job that I worked for 6 months and then I decided to move back and then COVID hit. Trying to apply to jobs during COVID and dealing with my dads health started to catch up to me mentally. I was able to get a contract role for 6 months and when that ended I decided to take a break from applying to jobs and I worked as a nanny for the past 2 years. I am having a hard time trying to figure out how to communicate this on my resume and don't want to come across inconsistent. I wanted to take a step back to make sure I was focused on my career. Any advice on how to frame this? Thank you!
You've had a lot going on which actually makes explaining the time easier for us.
So what I recommend is using a few bullets to explain how you've been spending the past few years.
So it would look something like this:
Career Note MON YEAR - Present
● Ready for next role as (your target role) after caring for family member facing health challenges
● Completed contract as Position Title (Date to Date)
● Served as a full-time nanny (Date to Date)
Hope you and your Dad are doing well now!
Let me know if you have further questions.
@@thatswhatshesaid ok, thank you so much! Should I put any bullets for my duties done during my contract position?
@@hiharleyx since you’re worried about seeming inconsistent, I wouldn’t. The strategy I’m proposing will help streamline this time period and de-emphasize the various job moves and leaves.
@@thatswhatshesaid ok, thank you so much!
How would I explain a few work gaps in my resume due to long term medical issues that only recently were able to be addressed? I was unwell in my 20s and that is why I have gaps.
How are you doing now? Can you tell me the years that you were working and the years that you weren't working? Please start at the beginning of your career (year after graduating college/university). Thanks!
@Day Glad to hear you're doing better. I hope things continue to improve for you.
Aside from healing, how else have you been spending your time since 2019. It's OK if it's been 100% focused on your health, but if you've been say, taking a few courses, this will help.
Also, what was your job prior to taking disability, and what is your target job now? Are you ready to re-enter the workforce?
@Day Thanks for the additional info. I'm not an expert in job searching for clinicians, but many of the fundamentals for resumes and CV writing are universal, so here is my advice...
Since you were engaged in professional development/continuing education credits, we can use that to our advantage to fill the gap. This is how I'd write about your gap:
Career Note: 2019 - Present
● Took temporary leave; ready for next role as ward-based Outpatient Primary Care Physician
● Engaged in ongoing CPD education including [list a couple of the most noteworthy courses you took]
The goals here are:
1. We want to make sure we aren't sharing your confidential health information
2. We want to give employers peace of mind that you are ready for your next role by stating it (the CPD credits help too)
3. We want to show that you had every intention of remaining in the workforce
I deliberately left off your brief return so as to not confuse the reader or expose you to more questions about why you returned to briefly and left again.
I hope this helps.
@Day thank you for your kind words!! I'm glad you found this helpful. Yes! Please do let me know how everything goes.
Hi Kamara,
What if you didn't take any courses to push your career ahead. I worked in corporate (HR). I left for my mental health. It's been about 4.5 months. I started worked part time once a week a gym. I haven't taken any classes or anything I honestly needed a break a HUGE mental break. I came across this video which was helpful, thing is I honestly don't know what to say. Do you have anything I could add to my linkedin profile they have a new feature now that provides this option I chose "Health and Wellbeing" but needs a description.
I don’t love the career break feature on LinkedIn. I would rather you include the role at the gym and on your resume you can use one-liner I provide in the video (about temporary leave) as well as a one-liner saying you’re working at the gym in [role].
You don’t actually need to explain in any great depth. That’s why the option I provide in the video is so useful.
What if i was let go in 2021. Planned to move to the USA to marry and work. Bht then got divorced. This all took 3 years. Now do i explain no work for 3 years.
Why were you let go? Were you laid off along with other people?
I was let go as a group lay off per Covid , they got rid of some department titles. Mine was one of them
@@thatswhatshesaid i was let go with others during the Covid lay offs. Departments were downsizing and my role lost its title
@@Ellajaiehave you been doing anything to keep your skills fresh? If you haven't, I'd recommend taking some free or low-cost courses that are relevant to your target job.
Then for the time you've been off you can use a career note for the time period (MON YEAR - Present) and say:
- Ready for next role as [target job title] following company-wide reorganization at [former company name]
- Engaged in professional development; completed courses in [topic] and [topic]
Thank you !! I have taken some courses actually I’ve just been so nervous cause i have never ever heard of a “ career note “. I’ll have to look up what that looks like on resume format ! If i have yet to complete one certification can i mention its in process ? To be completed ____ ? Is this career note at the top of your resume ? I was afraid this would distract them from actual work experience but good to know !
how do i explain 10 yr gap on resume to be a stay at home mom while doing a part time accounting work?
How many of the 10 years were you doing part-time accounting? Let me know and I will provide very specific guidance.
@@thatswhatshesaid the whole time. I was already doing part time bookkeeping with the same client while having the full time work for another company before my pregnancy. when I had the baby, I resigned from my full time work became a stay at home mom but continued with my part time bookkeeping. now I want to re-enter the workforce on a full time basis. should I explain the gap in my resume or just focus on my experience as a part time bookkeeper which I am still doing right now? How do I make myself marketable? I know it took me a long time to decide to go back full time so I don't know how to sell myself. Thank you so much!
@@leonorrivera6379 you're in a great situation since you continued the part-time bookkeeping during your pregnancy and during your time raising your child(ren). I wouldn't mention anything about raising kids full-time and working part-time. Only focus on the bookkeeping work, and don't mention that it was part-time either. Work is work. It makes no difference that it was 20 hours a week rather than 40 hours a week.
In terms of making yourself marketable: what is your target job? Are you targeting a full-time bookkeeping role?
@@thatswhatshesaid Thanks for the advice. Too bad I've sent out resumes indicating part-time. I will update my resume and just indicate "Bookkeeper" on future job applications. I might be asked why was there no progression in my career for 10 yrs and why leaving only now- how do I answer this? I'm sure I will be asked this question.
My target job is any full-time senior accounting role. I applied for the following job ads so far: accounting specialist, financial analyst, fund accountant, and bookkeeper. I'm open to any role preferably senior roles, even an entry-level position if I really like the company. Thanks a lot for your help!
@@leonorrivera6379 you might be asked why you remained as a bookkeeper for 10 years, in which case you can answer honestly - it was a role you held that provided the balance to care for your young children. Now that they're older, you're ready to step back into a full-time role.
10 years away in a bookkeeper role will make stepping into a senior accounting role challenging. You're going to have to add more information about how you kept your accounting skills fresh. Did you maintain your CPA/accounting designation? What courses did you take over your 10 years away?
What if you been on disability for over 10 years and you want to go back to work?
Were you working before being on disability? What was your job? What is your target job now?
@@thatswhatshesaid Yes I worked at IHSS, Maxim Health Care, Alorica, Ross, an Entertainment Agency and Raddison Hotel
Also a company where I drive disabled
@@arthurcollins2056 I'd like to learn more about what your most recent job was not including the driving people with disabilities, and also, please tell me what your target job is. Thanks!
@@thatswhatshesaid sorry I accidentally replied as my husband. I worked as at IHSS, Maxim Health Care, Ross, Alorica, Radisson Hotel, secretary at LS productions, and a company where I drove for disabled individuals.
Hii.. I left my PhD after 1 year.. Reason was a toxic workplace.. But since I graduated in the covid year (2020), and then joined this PhD (2021), I am having more than a year of break. I don't want to mention my previous enrollment as a PhD student as I have been rejected at other Institutes for the same.. What do I do? Please help
Are you looking to re-enroll for your PhD elsewhere or are you looking for a job in industry? If so, what is your target job?
@@thatswhatshesaid I am trying for a PhD only
@@biswahereemahananda7894 have previous universities actually said "we're rejecting you because you took a break"? I'm having a hard time understanding why a rejection to a PhD program would result from this.
I'm probably the wrong person to ask as I don't write CVs for academia.
@@thatswhatshesaid it's not because of the break.. It's because I left one PhD program.. They might have thought that I am not capable enough or not willing to commit or something like that. So I decided nit to put my previous enrollment as a PhD student in my resume. But it will leave a gap... I am having hard time explaining this
@@biswahereemahananda7894 right - I'm still having a hard time perceiving why that would be a problem to a university. Students can freely transfer and seek out different learning/study/research environments.
I would recommend reaching out to a career coach who specializes in working with academics.
I had a mental breakdown and had to go out on short term disability. It was hell and misery for the entire 3 months, my employer hounded the shit out of me, calling 3 times a week for updates...and the insurance company called another 3 times each week wanted my doctors notes, updates, etc....and I had to contact the doctor and hound them to send all that to the insurance people...and they said they did but insurance said no they didnt. Over and over....the entire time I was out. I had no time to heal due to all that added stress. And when I did return to work I was marked....it was very obvious. They purposely pushed me out the door, everyone treated me horribly.......I said never again. I quit a month after coming back...I never mentioned it in my next interview and had they called and checked my reference I was prepared.
Sorry to hear you experienced that.