A gap in employment can be voluntary or situation-based. However, explaining this to an interviewer can prove tricky.
Introduction
Many people's jobs were impacted by the pandemic, whether it was because they fell ill, had to care for their children after daycare closed, felt insecure traveling to their in-person jobs, or working from home made them reevaluate their lifestyle and join the Great Resignation. In addition, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates that by October 2021, there will be 4.2 million fewer jobs than there were in February 2020, just before the epidemic began.
To put it another way, you're not alone, and there can be a bright side: LinkedIn reports that 79% of hiring managers would choose to work with a candidate who has a career gap on their resume, suggesting that the stigma around employment gaps may be ebbing.
Saying that the gap in your work history as a result of the pandemic is totally permissible when talking about a COVID-related gap. The secret is to frame that detail with information an interviewer will find helpful. In that regard, it's the same as discussing any other résumé gap, and the advice provided below will assist you in determining the most effective language to use.
