Mind the Gap?

In one of the English textbooks at high school there was a chapter discussing gap years with the same title as this post. I recall having to write a commentary on the topic; I do not recall what I thought of ‘gaps’ at the ripe age of 16. I would guess I welcomed the concept as a sensible choice for those who didn’t know what they wanted after graduating at 18 or 19, travelling or working odd jobs to get a sense of what they like; but I imagine that for myself, it would have been a big no. ‘Forge ahead!’ was very much how I’d been brought up.

What I didn’t know then is that the gap can appear much later, too. Having ‘a gap’ in one’s resume is more controversial than taking a gap year between high school and university (or a permanent job). Should we mind the gap in our careers?

Unemployment in many parts of the world has reached record-highs in the past couple of years. It’s a combination of interest levels finally rising (no more free money, no more unlimited hires), new tech like generative artificial intelligence (AI) being able to handle previously human-manned tasks, and other signals that make employers more prudent in hiring. Demand for services is down, so demand for professionals is sinking, too. Unfortunately, the need for work isn’t. The average unemployment rate for advanced economies in April 2025 was a moderate 4.8% while in Finland (included in the previous figure), it was a whopping 9.1%. In October, it had risen to 10.3%. There’s unemployment in all three parts of the employment lifecycle: new graduates cannot land jobs; mid-career professionals are laid off and unable to secure a new job without a beat in-between; and those closing to retirement age face agism. Competition for open positions is fierce. Gaps are to be expected. But are they accepted?

It’s a strange expectation to think everyone is always on, always working, always achieving. Especially when we know that many employed people are actually consciously dialling back at work, at full pay. Unemployment doesn’t only find the laziest and least productive people; you’ll find true high-achievers in well-paid jobs and at the dole office. Unemployment doesn’t necessarily mean that someone is lazy or unskilled; it doesn’t necessarily even mean that they were less skilled than their peers if they were laid off. Personalities are also at play.

Why, then, are CV gaps still a taboo? This BBC piece offers some insight. Something I hadn’t considered is the generational gap: older generations may never have experienced true, long-term unemployment and may find gaps concerning. ‘Just get out there and work!’ Another question is the why: are you unemployed because you lack something? Or worse still, do you possess qualities that make you a bad hire, such as laziness or nastiness? A long gap of several years may also cause recruiters to question whether your skills are up-to-date. This last one is the easiest to cover, on paper at least. Retrain, get certified, attend courses, do projects. Show that you’re an active person even in unemployment, not a slacker. Or worse, a free loader!

Bridge Over Troubled Water

In an episode of The Office (US), the receptionist Pam is asked about her dating situation after breaking off her engagement. “I’m between boyfriends,” she says. I always thought it a curious way to put it, as if she needed a boyfriend to have some kind of validation. But if the alternative is saying “I’m single,” it actually makes sense. “I’m looking for a partner” is more active than “I’m single,” even if being without a spouse is what you want for the time being. Similarly, “I’m in-between jobs” is more hopeful than “I’m unemployed.”

Unemployment can be an extremely stressful time. You may question your self-worth and fall into a deep spiral. In what job do you face as much personal rejection as when applying for jobs? I find it’s odd to question someone’s activity during unemployment: if you’ve sent a good application, surely that means you’re keen to get back to working? Unemployment isn’t really a paid vacation, even in Finland. The benefits are a far cry from what you earned before unemployment, and looking for work is full-time work. If a job seeker hasn’t created a successful business, gotten a degree or travelled the world in six months while simultaneously researching dozens of companies, crafting applications, and prepping for interviews, can you really judge them?

The gap, then, is about trying to build a bridge over your last job to the next one. It’s hard because you don’t know how far the next cliff is. The gorge may be completely fogged up; maybe you have to learn bridge building (I recently met a person in their early fifties who’d never had to apply for a job before; they’d always just landed one).

So, should you mind the gap?

You can’t always avoid the gap. My two cents are: have a project at the ready if you think there’ll be a gap. And make sure it’s concise enough that you can produce results in a couple months, that it’s tangible and that you can cite skills you acquired. While I criticised this ‘results-oriented’ thinking above, I do think having something that’s in your hands completely is good for your well-being.

Is it wise to choose a gap? Depends entirely on your situation. Are you financially able to withstand it? Will you be mentally better off? Do you have an idea of a project you can get cracking with? If yes to all three, I would go for it. I’ve gone for it with yes-answers for the first two, which is why my two cents are about having a project.

One more thought on gaps: I’ve taken a long break writing this blog. I felt it didn’t serve me anymore, so I put it on pause. For some reason, I’ve felt like getting back to it now. I don’t mind this gap: I’ve worked, I’ve (nearly!) completed a minor in marketing, I’ve upskilled myself with content creation tools. More importantly, however, something I probably can’t put in my CV as ‘achievements’ even though they’re the ones that matter the most to me, I’ve become a better friend (more active in reaching out and responding to messages quicker); I’ve taken better care of my body (I’ve established an exercise routine I now find easy to follow and modified my diet); and I’ve tried my hand at numerous hobbies to see what energises me to find my calling. All things that make me a better person overall and therefore a better employee.