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Forbes
30-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
How To Turn A Career Gap Into A Selling Point Employers Love
When interviewing with employers, a career gap can be turned into a selling point. Nearly half (47%) of U.S. workers have experienced career gaps, according to a recent MyPerfectResume report. Yet, countless talented professionals sabotage their job search by treating a career gap like a dirty secret. They stumble through job interviews, apologize for time away from work and eventually convince hiring managers that their career break was a liability. But the most compelling candidates aren't those with linear career paths. They're the ones who have developed diverse skills and can articulate how their unconventional journey makes them a valuable asset. Here are five key steps to go from minimizing your career gap to reframing it as a competitive advantage. Focus On Skill Building Your first instinct might be to downplay your career gap, but this approach signals weakness to employers who already worry about outdated skills and reduced motivation. Instead, demonstrate how your time away developed valuable skills and kept you professionally engaged. Here's how to flip the script: Instead of saying: "I was laid off and it took me longer than expected to find something." Say this: "After my position was eliminated, I used the transition period to upgrade my skills in digital marketing and earned my Google Analytics certification. I'm returning to the workforce with advanced capabilities and a fresh perspective on data-driven marketing strategies." Instead of saying: "I was a stay-at-home parent for three years." Say this: "I managed complex family logistics, including budget planning, schedule coordination across multiple activities and relationship building within our community. These experiences strengthened my project management, financial planning and stakeholder engagement capabilities." Instead of saying: "I tried to start a business but it didn't work out." Say this: "I launched and operated an independent consulting practice, gaining hands-on experience in market research, client acquisition, financial management and strategic planning. While I ultimately decided to return to corporate employment, this entrepreneurial experience gives me valuable insights into business development and customer needs." The key is to be specific about what you accomplished and learned and then draw clear connections to the job requirements. Optimize Your Resume And Cover Letter Your resume and cover letter are your first opportunity to control the narrative around your career gap. Rather than hoping employers won't notice, address it from the start. Use years instead of months when listing employment dates to minimize the appearance of resume gaps. If you engaged in meaningful activities during your career break, such as freelancing, volunteering, education or caregiving, include them as legitimate entries with action-oriented descriptions. Address your employment break in two to three sentences rather than avoiding it. Focus on what you gained, not what you missed. Instead of saying: "Although I have been out of the workforce for two years..." Say this: "During my recent career transition, I enhanced my project management skills while coordinating complex family logistics and completed advanced certifications in digital marketing. This experience, combined with my previous marketing director role, gives me a unique perspective on stakeholder management and strategic planning." The key is positioning your career gap as a purposeful part of your professional journey, not an unfortunate interruption. Master Your Job Interview Strategy Your job interview is where you transform your career gap from a potential liability into a compelling differentiator. Preparation is everything. Use the three-part structure: Context (brief), Action (detailed), Value (specific). Practice this story until it feels natural, not rehearsed. Context: "I took 18 months off after my father's cancer diagnosis." Action: "During that time, I managed his treatment coordination, researched clinical trials, and handled complex insurance negotiations." Value: "This experience strengthened my research abilities and stakeholder management skills, which I'm excited to apply to vendor relationship management in this role." Prepare confident responses to these common concerns: Question: "Why didn't you work part-time during your break?" Response: "I wanted to fully commit to the situation at hand and use any remaining time for strategic professional development." Question: "Are you concerned about being behind on industry trends?" Response: "Actually, my time away gave me fresh perspective on emerging trends in the industry, which I explored through targeted research and continuing education." Question: "How do we know you won't take another extended break?" Response: "This was a unique family situation that required my full attention. I'm now ready to fully commit to my career growth and have strong support systems in place." Don't wait to be asked about your employment break. Bring it up naturally when discussing your background. This approach shows confidence and prevents awkward moments later. Also, record yourself telling your career gap story to perfect your delivery. Your tone should be matter-of-fact and confident, not apologetic. Maintain eye contact and speak at a normal pace, as rushing through suggests discomfort. Rebuild Your Professional Network Strategic networking is crucial to overcome the visibility gap that often accompanies career breaks. Reconnect with former colleagues who can vouch for your abilities and provide insider perspectives on company cultures. Consider informational interviews with people in your target companies. They're often more willing to discuss opportunities when there's no immediate job pressure. Join professional associations and attend virtual events in your field to rebuild visibility. Update your LinkedIn profile to reflect your career gap positively, using the same reframing techniques from your resume. Engage with industry content by commenting thoughtfully on posts and sharing relevant insights. Use LinkedIn's "Open to Work" feature, and consider reaching out to recruiters who specialize in your field. Target Gap-Friendly Employers Not all employers view career gaps equally. Rather than applying broadly and hoping for the best, focus your efforts on organizations where your unconventional path becomes an advantage. Look for employers that explicitly mention valuing "diverse backgrounds," "non-traditional paths," or "life experience" in their job postings and company values. Startups and smaller companies often prioritize skills over linear career paths, while organizations with strong diversity and inclusion programs typically appreciate varied life experiences. Before applying, investigate whether the organization truly supports work-life balance or if it's just marketing speak. Check employee reviews for mentions of flexibility, family support and career development opportunities. Companies that offer returnship programs, flexible schedules or explicitly welcome career changers are ideal targets. Turn Your Career Gap Into Your Greatest Asset Your career gap doesn't have to be a liability. With the right strategy and mindset, it can become one of your strongest selling points. The key is approaching it with confidence, connecting your experiences to employer needs and demonstrating the unique value you bring because of your unconventional path, not despite it.
Associated Press
19-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Stirista Recognized Among 2025's Fastest-Growing Asian American-Owned Businesses
SAN ANTONIO, TX, May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stirista, a leading provider of data-driven marketing solutions, has been named to the U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation (USPAACC) 2025 Fast 100 list. The award, now in its 40th year, recognizes the fastest-growing Asian American-owned businesses in the country. This marks Stirista's fourth time on the list since 2020, highlighting the company's continued momentum under the leadership of CEO and founder Ajay Gupta. Stirista's growth has been fueled by increasing demand for its end-to-end marketing platform and strategic acquisitions that have strengthened its capabilities across data, email, and digital. We're honored to be recognized again by USPAACC,' said Ajay Gupta, CEO and founder of Stirista. 'This award isn't just about how fast we've grown. It reflects the broader impact Asian American-owned businesses are having across the economy. I'm proud that Stirista continues to be part of that story. As a first-generation immigrant who came to the U.S. in the late 1990s without ever having used a computer, I'm both fascinated and proud of how Stirista continues to lead by blending technologies across the marketing ecosystem and delivering exceptional results for our clients.' The Fast 100 Award honors Asian American-owned companies that have demonstrated revenue growth, resilience, and industry leadership. Stirista is proud to be recognized as part of this year's 40th anniversary class. To learn how Stirista helps brands connect with the right audiences and deliver measurable results across channels, visit # # # About Stirista Stirista is a data-driven marketing technology provider that combines authoritative identity data with omnichannel execution. Through its proprietary audience data, ESP, and DSP, Stirista helps brands acquire and retain customers with precision and speed. The company's transparent reporting and results analysis help clients eliminate wasted spend and improve performance across digital, email, and media channels. About USPAACC The U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation (USPAACC), established in 1984, is the most established and effective national nonprofit, nonpartisan organization representing Pan Asian American businesses. Its Fast 100 Awards honor businesses that demonstrate innovation, growth, and resilience. Gene Cyranski Stirista 312-952-0181 [email protected]
