Facing a Year-Long Job Gap in HR: How Can My Friend Secure a New Position?

Hi All, One of my friends has 4 years of experience as an HR executive and resigned from the job to take care of her parents since they are unwell. Once they recovered, she started looking for jobs and received an offer (contract) after a 5-month gap. However, after working for 1.5 months in the new company, she lost her job due to the corona crisis.

Subsequently, she has not been receiving any calls, and now it has been almost a year-long gap. Her profile is not being shortlisted by anyone. Could you please advise on how to handle this situation and secure a new job?

Thank you.

Career Gap Concerns

Career gaps are not as big a cause for concern as they used to be, especially if you have a valid reason and enough proof to support your gap. It also depends on the interviewer and how they view the situation of the gap.

In the case of your friend, she seems to have a very valid reason for leaving her job, and we are all aware of the situations that COVID brought before us. Hiring was frozen in many sectors, and it was even worse that people were asked to leave with some severance packages to support their exit.

Networking and Job Search Strategies

I would also like to suggest that your friend be very active in the corporate world and on social network platforms like LinkedIn. Try to make as many professional connections as possible to help her get a lead on a job opening that suits her profile. The market is slowly opening up, and job opportunities have also seen some increase in the recent past. If your friend has the required skills and can prove herself in an interview, then nobody would reject a potential candidate.

Yes, she needs to have an open mind to relevant job opportunities irrespective of the size of the company (do check the credentials of the company). Wishing the best to you and your friend.