You might be aware that LinkedIn has recently introduced a Career Breaks category for profile building. This new label is designed to help people normalize the thought that careers are not always linear. In addition, it is expected to boost career opportunities for those planning for career re-entry after a long break due for some reason.
The Career Break label allows individuals to describe their experiences while away from the traditional workforce. They can present highlights of those special days of life via a LinkedIn profile in the form of volunteer work, family responsibilities, and travel – the same as traditional work experiences.
Employers these days are launching career re-entry programs at different levels. Potential recruiters now understand that people who leave work temporarily at some stage of their career are an essential part of the talent pool, and their decision to take a break has no negative impact on their job performance. According to LinkedIn, U.S. job posting share for candidates with career breaks is up by almost 63% compared to 2020, which is 100% up from 2018.
Job seekers worldwide appreciate LinkedIn’s efforts to consider career breaks an essential element of life and solve the problem for them on how to classify this time while applying for a new job after a break. This new feature has also made it easier for recruiters ready to allow people with a career gap. This allowance is because the career re-entry programs launched by several organizations need applicants to have almost 1 or 2 years’ break to apply. However, many other job seekers prefer listing this time out of the workforce as volunteer work. But in these scenarios, people often get rejected since their volunteer work or coursework is considered current work experience, which doesn’t match the job requirement.
These days, recruiters are using an electronic screening process, or many are least familiar with the re-launcher resume and profiles. In this scenario, it is common to see recruiters mistaking your coursework or volunteer program as current work experience instead of a suitable break in your career. But now, LinkedIn has created a perfect mechanism for people to describe their career breaks more authentically. Professionals at Global Investment Strategies believe it will help applicants and recruiters handle the job applications accurately.
This career break feature will be even more beneficial for people who have previously experienced part-time employment. People can now use their career break column more creatively by mentioning some additional income-producing activities such as substitute teaching, occasional consulting, or some side gig. No matter in which sector you apply for a job after a career break, you have to be confident and logical with your idea of staying out of the active workforce for the described duration. You can quickly secure a great job profile in a reputed organization, even after a career break.