Taking a gap year is more common than ever. Some people take time off for personal reasons, financial difficulties, or just because they need a break. While stepping away from work or school can offer the chance to recharge, many people worry about how that time away will be viewed by future employers or schools.
In this guide, we’ll walk through how to manage the reality of gap years—how to explain them, how to make them work for you, and how to move forward without feeling like you’ve fallen behind.
Problem: Concerns About Gap Years
One of the most common concerns with taking a gap year is the fear that it will look bad on your resume or school application. People worry that a gap year will make them look unmotivated or unreliable to future employers.
A few facts to consider:
- 40% of young adults in the U.S. take a gap year at some point between high school and starting their careers (U.S. Department of Education, 2022).
- A survey by LinkedIn found that 60% of hiring managers are open to hiring people with gap years—as long as they used that time productively.
So, what does “productive” mean? And how can you present your gap year in a way that shows your value?
Real-life Example: Emily’s Gap Year
Emily graduated from college in 2019 with plans to go straight to grad school. But, after dealing with family health issues and financial concerns, she took a gap year. She was nervous about how this would affect her future applications and job prospects.
Instead of letting the gap year pass without direction, Emily used it as an opportunity. She volunteered at a nonprofit that helped immigrants with legal issues, and she worked part-time as a freelance editor. By the time her gap year ended, she had real-world experience and new skills to add to her resume.
Agitation: Why Gap Years Can Be Tricky
The tricky part about gap years isn’t taking the time off. It’s figuring out how to make that time count and how to talk about it in a way that shows you were still moving forward, even if you weren’t in school or at a full-time job.
Here are some common challenges people face when they take a gap year:
1. Lack of a Clear Plan
Some people take a gap year without a solid idea of what they’ll do. Without a structure or goal, the time can slip by, leaving them feeling unproductive and worried about how they’ll explain it later. In a world where it’s easy to feel pressure to always be "moving forward," this lack of structure can create stress.
2. Gaps in Employment
For job seekers, a gap year can create an employment gap that’s hard to explain. According to a survey by CareerBuilder, 48% of employers said they are less likely to interview candidates with unexplained gaps in their resumes.
3. Stigma in Certain Fields
Some industries, like finance or tech, value continuous progress. In these fields, taking time off can make you feel like you’ve lost ground. The gap can make candidates feel like they have to justify their time off more than others might.
Real-life Example: Thomas’ Career Gap
Thomas worked in tech for seven years before burning out and taking a year off. He spent six months traveling and then tried freelance work, but he hadn’t really thought about how he’d explain this gap when he decided to return to a full-time role.
Thomas realized that while he enjoyed his year off, he needed to show how it made him a better candidate, so he took steps to refresh his skills through online courses and freelancing.
Solution: Making Your Gap Year Work for You
A gap year doesn’t have to hurt your future career or education plans. In fact, it can actually be an asset if you handle it the right way. Here’s how:
1. Make a Plan (Even if You’re Already in the Middle of It)
Whether you’re thinking of taking a gap year or are already partway through it, having a plan will help. Here are some ideas for how to spend that time productively:
- Volunteering or Freelance Work : Even if it’s not full-time, staying active in some capacity helps show you used your time wisely.
- Learning New Skills : Online courses or certifications are great for staying engaged. For example, platforms like Coursera and edX saw a 32% rise in enrollments in 2023, showing how popular learning from home has become.
- Internships or Part-Time Work : If full-time work isn’t an option, part-time roles or internships can still help you gain valuable experience.
In Thomas' case, after realizing his year off hadn’t been as productive as he’d hoped, he started taking coding boot camps to sharpen his skills and began freelancing in web development. When he returned to the job market, he had new skills and projects to show for his time off.
2. Reframe the Gap on Your Resume
Don’t leave your gap year as a blank space on your resume. Instead, frame it as a time when you learned or did something valuable. Highlight any skills you developed, projects you worked on, or experiences that made you a better candidate.
For example:
- For Volunteer Work : “During my gap year, I volunteered with [organization] and led a team in [specific project]. I developed strong project management skills, which I can apply to [future role].”
- For Freelance Work : “I worked as a freelance [role] during my gap year, handling projects for clients that helped me improve [specific skill]. I successfully completed X projects and delivered [positive results].”
In interviews, be open about your gap year. Focus on the positives, like what you learned and how it made you better prepared for your next step.
3. Use the Gap Year to Make a Career Shift
For some people, a gap year is more than just a break—it’s a chance to rethink what they want to do. If you used your gap year to explore a new field or career path, make sure you highlight that transition in your conversations with employers or schools.
- Networking : Use your time off to build connections. Attend events, join groups, or network online.
- Exploration : If you tried out a new industry during your gap year, explain how that exploration helped broaden your perspective or develop new skills.
4. Be Honest
If you took a gap year for personal reasons, don’t be afraid to be upfront about it. Life happens, and most employers understand that. The key is to focus on how you grew during that time, not just on the break itself.
Real-life Example: Samantha’s Academic Gap Year
Samantha took a gap year between high school and college. She was worried it might make her look less committed, but she used the time to work on a climate change research project and volunteer for environmental groups. When she applied to college, she emphasized how the gap year helped her focus on her interests and build practical experience. She was accepted to her top-choice program.
Conclusion
A gap year doesn’t have to set you back. Whether you’re taking time off for personal reasons, travel, or to figure out your next move, what matters most is how you use that time and how you talk about it afterward. With a bit of planning and reflection, a gap year can be a valuable part of your story.