Being jobless for a while is no big deal since it usually takes around six months to land a new job. However, job seekers find it hard to get a new opportunity after being unemployed for a year. In some cases, hiring managers are also not ready to hire employees having a one-year employment gap.
Nevertheless, many hiring managers understand employment gaps and hire job applicants after long-term unemployment. This article will cover how long employment gaps can affect your career and how to get a job quickly after being jobless for a year.
Job Searching After Being Unemployed For A Year
The chances of hearing back from employers after being unemployed for more than six months are less, and they reduce further when you are jobless for a year. But many employers don’t mind employment gaps as long as you’ve spent time in some valuable activity.
For example, if you explain to your employer that you spend the break learning skills or volunteering at a nonprofit organization, the employer will take the gap positively.
So always try to explain your employment gap positively during the interviews. You can also build a story to justify the reason for being unemployed for several months.
How to Explain Being Unemployed for a Year
You could be long-term unemployed due to several reasons. For example, you could be for more than a year due to a career change, family issues, being laid off, or the pandemic’s effects.
Regardless of the reason, you should know how to justify your unemployment in front of your potential employers to get hired quickly.
Below are a few examples of how to explain being jobless for long periods to other employers.
1. Explaining unemployment on a resume
Explaining the work gap on your resume can be awkward, but it is an excellent way to ease the hiring manager’s worries. When you briefly explain why your past job ended, the hiring managers realize that your last job didn’t end because of your fault. They can figure out whether to proceed with your application or not.
You can add a separate point under the work experience section on your resume and explain the reason for unemployment. However, don’t go into deeper detail.
You can explain that later during the interview. Also, only mention this when your previous job didn’t end due to your fault. For example, if you left the company because it shifted to another location or the company closed, etc.
Additionally, highlight it in your resume if you volunteered at an organization, took freelance work, or learned new skills during unemployment.
2. Explaining unemployment on a cover letter
You can also highlight the reason for your employment gaps in your cover letter. Most employers ask for cover letters with resumes. You can briefly explain the reason for the unemployment in a separate paragraph at the end of the cover letter.
Again, include positive points demonstrating that you used this unemployment period for personal growth. You could highlight that in the cover letter if you enrolled in an online course. You can also mention freelance projects or volunteer work in the letter.
3. Explaining unemployment in an interview
Some employers may ask you about your unemployment directly during your in-person interview. So job applicants must be prepared in advance to answer this question. For instance, the recruiter may ask, “Tell me why you were jobless last year?”
You can give a brief explanation or build a story to explain why you are jobless for three months or a year.
Besides, you can talk about why you are jobless but remember not to blame your previous boss. Also, give the interviewer the confidence that you are motivated and committed to your work. This will boost your chances of getting the position.
How to Find a New Job Quickly After Being Unemployed for a Year
Finding new jobs after being jobless for long stretches requires much effort. It is typically found that most employers view people with employment gaps positively.
But some companies reject candidates directly. Again, the job search process takes longer than usual when you don’t have a job for long stretches.
Following are a few tips on how to find a new job after being jobless for the long term.
1. Start by doing a self-assessment
Firstly, you should analyze your interests and passion before applying for jobs. Don’t apply for positions and companies that you aren’t interested in.
Instead, research companies and job openings of your interest and apply for as many jobs as possible. Also, check your eligibility before applying for jobs.
2. Consider going back to school
If you have been jobless for the long term, it’s evident that the market trends might have upgraded. So, research the new technologies and in-demand skills and spend some time learning them.
You can also check company websites to know what skills they seek in their employees. Finally, enroll in an online or offline course to learn a new skill and get certified.
3. Network, network, network
The importance of networking while looking for jobs is huge. You can connect with professionals in your field through online platforms or at career fairs and networking events.
Tell them you are looking for a new position and ask them if they can refer you to their company. You can also ask for their support and advice during your job hunt process.
4. Don’t underestimate the power of the internet
Another excellent method to land a job quickly is through the internet. The internet is filled with various job search engines, portals, and sites where you can browse and apply for jobs.
You can use these online job portals to look for opportunities of interest or career advice resources. Some websites like LinkedIn connect you with other employers while browsing for jobs.
5. Get creative with your job search
If you stick to the traditional method of job hunting, like looking for work through newspaper advertisements, it can take ages to find a new job. So, you need to modify your way of searching for opportunities.
Use online portals to connect with recruiters and get interviews. You can also advertise your job hunt on your social media profiles.
Besides, you can showcase your work portfolio on your social media profiles and send it to recruiters while applying for positions. This will give an idea of your talent to your recruiter.