Rosie

Sales Director

resume gap

Our company just had to let a big chunk of the team (35%) go because of money troubles. Despite me knocking it out of the park by hitting 60% over my targets last quarter, I've been going flat out for the past eight years with no breaks. I'm in a nordic country where we get unemployment benefits based on our salaries, enough to cover basic needs like rent and food. So, I'm toying with the idea of taking a six-month to a year-long break to try something new and recharge.

Would such a break be a terrible black mark on my resume? And if so, what can I do to make future employers see it in a better light? I'm keen to hear what others have done in similar situations to keep their job prospects bright after a good long breather from work.

🌎 Economy

😅 Laid Off

27 comments

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Diablo

Politicker

Sr. AE

I don’t think so it’s a black mark. I know so many people taking a career break for a few months and coming back to rock l roll again. Question - are you planning to do something that’s productive (new trial)?

Rosie

Catalyst

Sales Director

I have no clue what I will do it yet but certainly not repeat the same cycle. I have been thinking of taking some courses and maybe focus more on my other interests and side projects. Not sure really. But certainly I am the type who always like to do things so maybe this is good for a change.

Diablo

Politicker

Sr. AE

If I were you I would set the base for those side projects etc before quitting because I need cashflow without burning what I have as Ng side projects might need investments (initially). Really depends on your circumstances. Wish you all the best!

pirate

Big Shot

🦜☠️ Account Executive

Go for it! I know plenty of people who went to travel for 6 months or did something different. It sounds like you want to and you'll likely regret it if you don't.

Love the Nordics

Rosie

Catalyst

Sales Director

Thank you for your kind words! It gave me more visibility into what I want. And you are right!

pirate

Big Shot

🦜☠️ Account Executive

You'll do amazing in whatever you choose to do

detectivegibbles

Politicker

Sales Director

Just explain the reasoning. Go make memories!

Rosie

Catalyst

Sales Director

Yeah. I have to make a good reasoning for it.

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

Did you get laid off?

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

I think so, but that is missing.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

👀🍿

Rosie

Catalyst

Sales Director

Yes I was let go as well.

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

If you think you can get a new job that easily, go for it. Living off the gov't is a great fun!

Seriously though, a gap in your resume is what you make of it. Initially its there, but in a couple years it won't be because you can just put the year down on the resume, not the month/year. So it will essentially disappear.

Rosie

Catalyst

Sales Director

Indeed! I think I get what you mean.

Maximas

Tycoon

Senior Sales Executive

Absolutely not for being voluntary and not a Layoff or suspension due to performance.
Numbers speak louder than words and that's how your resume would look like in your case.
And please enjoy your vacation!

Rosie

Catalyst

Sales Director

Thank you for your kind words. Means a lot! And everything you said made sense.

Maximas

Tycoon

Senior Sales Executive

🌹🙏

jessb

Valued Contributor

Vice President Smart City Programs

Breaks in resumes with good explanations are not negative. If anything you can talk about that with your future employer as taking time to reflect and focus on your next career goal and being more selective. When I owned my own company if there was someone who had a break in the resume timeline I never looked at that negatively.

Rosie

Catalyst

Sales Director

I am glad to heat this!

FinanceEngineer

Politicker

Sr Director, sales and partnerships

Depends. In the US, maybe. In the nordics, I have no idea. With the way sales works, if you take some time, it good be a good thing “I wanted to rest and recharge so I can come in anywhere I land and be at the top of my game.”

Rosie

Catalyst

Sales Director

yeah

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Go for it. A break to do something you haven’t been able to do sounds like a great idea. The gap won’t be troubling if you explain it.

HappyGilmore

Politicker

Account Executive

I don't think the resume gap hurts as long as you make the most of the time in between jobs.

Rosie

Catalyst

Sales Director

That’s the plan if I go for it 😎

CPTAmerica

Opinionated

President/CRO

No issue, especially in your part of the world. Tell your story, you worked your butt off for nearly a decade and had a great time doing it. You had some success and you've always wanted to do "XYZ." You had an opportunity to pursue that and you took it. Now that assumes you do something exciting and productive with the time off :)

iamtheone

Executive

Enterprise SDR

Just say you had a family member you were helping take care of! Take the vacation man the economy world wide is fucked. Enjoy your life!

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

Not one bit. If you are burned out than a recharge is really understandable. Taking time off and being transparent about it should be something that is easy to explain and companies seem to be more open to this as well.

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Rosie

resume gap

27 comments

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