Let’s Talk About Career Breaks—Because They’re Normal

Career breaks are real. Common. Human.

And for some reason, we still act like they’re career kryptonite.

Let’s be clear: taking time away from work—whether it’s to raise kids, care for a loved one, recover from illness, serve in the military, or simply survive a pandemic—is not a liability. It’s not a weakness. It’s not a gap in who you are.

If anything, it’s proof of your ability to prioritize, adapt, and return stronger. And that deserves a whole lot more respect than it gets.

Why People Take Breaks—And Why It’s No One Else’s Judgment to Make

Career breaks happen for all kinds of reasons:

• Parental leave
  
  

• Caregiving for aging parents or sick family
  
  

• Personal illness or injury
  
  

• Mental health or burnout recovery
  
  

• Disability and rehab
  
  

• Military service or transitioning back to civilian life
  
  

• Travel or life reassessment
  
  

• Layoffs and job market shifts
  
  

• Continuing education or certification
  
  

If you’re reading this and thinking, “That’s me,”—know this: You are not behind. You are not broken. You do not need to make excuses for being a whole person.

How to Frame a Career Break on Your Resume (with Examples You Can Steal)

You don’t need to cover up your career break. You just need to own it.
The key: keep it professional, clear, and focused on what you learned or gained.

✦ Caregiving Break

Resume Example:

Took time away from full-time employment to provide care for a family member. During this period, I managed complex scheduling, healthcare coordination, and budgeting, while maintaining professional development through online courses in project management and data analysis.

✦ Parental Leave

Resume Example:

Stepped away from the workforce to raise young children. Maintained industry knowledge through certification programs in digital marketing and participated in community leadership through PTA and local event coordination, enhancing cross-functional and time management skills.

✦ Military Service / Transition

Resume Example:

Served in the U.S. Navy, leading logistics and operations teams. Transitioned to civilian workforce by completing AWS Cloud Practitioner certification and engaging in career readiness training through Hiring Our Heroes.

✦ Health or Disability Leave

Resume Example:

Focused on medical recovery and adaptive skills training. Gained proficiency in assistive technologies like screen readers and voice recognition software while completing courses in Python and UX Design through [platform].

✦ Travel or Sabbatical

Resume Example:

Traveled throughout Southeast Asia, strengthening adaptability, problem-solving, and cross-cultural communication. Used time abroad to freelance in graphic design and complete a remote certification in SEO and digital strategy.

✦ Upskilling During Break

Resume Example:

During a career pause, dedicated time to professional growth by completing the Google Data Analytics Certificate and contributing to open-source projects in data visualization.

You don’t have to share every detail. Share what shows that you stayed curious, capable, and committed to your growth.

How to Talk About Career Breaks in an Interview (Without Shrinking Yourself)

You might feel like you have to “explain” the break. You don’t. But you can walk in with a clear, confident story that puts the focus where it belongs: on what you bring to the table now.

Here’s a simple framework:

Acknowledge → Highlight → Connect

“I stepped away from the workforce in 2022 to care for a family member full time. It was an incredibly challenging and rewarding period where I learned a lot about problem-solving, time management, and compassion. During that time, I stayed connected to my industry through online certifications and freelance work. I’m energized and ready to bring those strengths into this role.”

Another version:

“After leaving my last role, I took a break to reassess what kind of work I wanted to do and pursued training in UX Design through [platform]. I’ve developed new skills and perspective, and I’m excited to re-enter the workforce in a space that aligns with those strengths.”

This isn’t about apologizing. It’s about showing that you’re intentional, focused, and ready to move forward.

How to Talk About It at Work (If You Want To)

You don’t owe anyone your life story. But if you’re returning to work and colleagues ask—or you want to share—here’s how to keep it clean, confident, and boundaried:

Phrases that work:

• “I was caregiving for a parent for the past year and learned a lot about balancing logistics and priorities. I’m really glad to be back.”
  
  

• “I took some time off after military service to reskill and figure out my next steps. I’m excited to put those skills to use.”
  
  

• “I stepped away for health reasons and used that time to grow in a few key areas professionally. Let’s just say I’m bringing a lot of fresh perspective back to the table.”
  
  

The truth is, most people will respect your honesty. And those who don’t? That’s a red flag about them—not you.

What You Can Do Now If You’re Ready to Reenter the Workforce

Getting back in can feel overwhelming—but it’s 100% possible. Start with small, tangible steps:

• Update your resume using some of the language above.
  
  

• Take a free course or certification in your target field.
  
  

• Join online communities (like CareerCircle 👋) for networking, support, and guidance.
  
  

• Practice explaining your break out loud, so you’re not caught off guard in an interview.
  
  

• Reach out to former coworkers or mentors and let them know you’re back in the game.
  
  

There’s no “right” path. There’s just your next step. Let’s take it.

To Every Job Seeker with a Career Break: You Belong Here

You are not a question mark. You are not a risk. You are not less-than.

You are someone who has lived, grown, adapted, and shown up. That’s the kind of candidate every smart employer should want.

Career breaks don’t derail careers. Shame does. Self-doubt does. And those have no place here.

So if you’ve taken a break—whatever the reason—know this:

✅ You are valuable.
✅ You are hireable.
✅ You are not starting over. You are starting forward.

And if you need help with that? We’ve got you.

Join CareerCircle for free resume tools, upskilling opportunities, and a community that sees the whole you—not just your job history.