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Welcome to the LCM Network
Follow the LCM company page on LinkedIn to get early news of new roles and even roles “outside” the LCM Network! Seeing a role earlier can make all the difference!
AI Resources to Power Your Career Growth!
Ask LCM: How to Talk About Planned (And Emergency) Career Breaks
Recommended resources power up your side or main hustle!
Resources to find jobs for yourself and your network (Want to recruit? special resource)
Mastering AI Tools: Get Ahead or Get Left Behind by Costly AI Mistakes
Proxy, the AI Agent for Everyday Life
Imagine if you had a digital clone to do your tasks for you. Well, meet Proxy…
Last week, Convergence, the London based AI start-up revealed Proxy to the world, the first general AI Agent.
Users are asking things like “Book my trip to Paris and find a restaurant suitable for an interview” or “Order a grocery delivery for me with a custom weekly meal plan”.
You can train it how you choose, so all Proxy’s are different, and personalised to how you teach it. The more you teach it, the more it learns about your personal work flows and begins to automate them.
How to Address Career Gaps—Without Oversharing
Career gaps happen for various reasons—planned breaks, caregiving responsibilities, medical leaves, or unplanned emergencies. Whether you took time off to manage a family crisis, focus on your health, or recharge after burnout, addressing these gaps on your resume and in interviews can feel daunting. Here’s a question that highlights this common concern.
Question from 'Break in Boulder':
Dear LCM,
I recently took a leave of absence to handle some personal matters, and now that I’m ready to return to work, I’m unsure of how to address this gap on my resume and during interviews. It was planned, but it ended up lasting longer than expected due to unforeseen complications. I want to be transparent without oversharing or leaving employers worried about future issues. What’s the best way to handle this?
Thanks,
Break in Boulder
Answer:
Hey, Break in Boulder,
You’re not alone—many people take time off for various reasons. Whether it’s to manage a family matter, focus on health, handle burnout, or address an unexpected crisis, the goal is to keep your explanation concise and professional. Here’s how to approach this type of gap:
Keep It Simple on Your Resume: You don’t need to dive into details on your resume. If the gap feels significant, you can include a brief label like “Personal Leave,” “Family Care Leave,” or “Medical Leave” with the dates. This acknowledges the break without making it the focal point.
Be Clear About Stability and Readiness: When discussing the gap, reassure employers that the situation has been resolved. You might say, “I took a planned leave to address a personal matter, which is now fully resolved, and I’m ready to re-engage in my career.” This lets employers know that the break had a purpose and that you’re prepared to move forward.
Highlight How You Stayed Engaged: If you took steps to stay active professionally—such as pursuing online courses, earning certifications, volunteering, or managing personal responsibilities that relate to your skill set—mention them. For example, “During my leave, I completed coursework in [relevant area] to keep my skills current.”
Frame It as a Strategic Break: If your leave was planned, you can frame it as a time to recharge or refocus. For instance, “I took a planned sabbatical to focus on personal development and come back with fresh energy and new skills.” This shows that you approached the break intentionally.
Use a Brief, Honest Explanation in Interviews: If the topic comes up, be straightforward but concise. For example, “I stepped away briefly to handle a personal health issue that is now fully resolved. I’m excited to bring my skills and energy to this role.” This keeps the focus on your readiness to contribute now.
Reinforce Your Value and Commitment: Throughout your resume and interviews, emphasize the skills, achievements, and enthusiasm you bring to the table. Keep the focus on what you offer moving forward rather than lingering on the gap.
The Bottom Line
Career gaps due to personal matters, health reasons, or caregiving responsibilities are more common than you might think. The key is to address them with clarity and professionalism and to focus on what you’re bringing to the role now. Keep your explanation simple and show employers you’re ready to move forward.
~LCM
Thanks for sharing this question, Break in Boulder! Many job seekers face similar situations, and your approach will resonate with anyone who’s had to step away from their career. It’s all about being transparent while highlighting your readiness and value.
Have a question that you’re afraid to ask about your job search, resumes, interviews, or the application process? Submit your questions to LCM!
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Resources to Find Jobs for Yourself and Your Network
Are you looking for your next role in tech or finance? Check out roles here.
Are you a tech recruiter or have an extensive network in tech yourself that you would like to help find their next roles? Be a freelance recruiter! Check out the info and apply to be a freelance tech recruiter for top startups here! You can also attend an informational meeting to learn more; register here: https://calendly.com/leahcm/recruit