LinkedIn Introduces Feature to Clarify Career Breaks

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In a significant update, LinkedIn has launched a feature that allows users to explain gaps in their employment history—a move that will particularly benefit women, who often face these resumé discrepancies. The global pandemic, alongside various other challenges over the past two years, has led to record numbers of women exiting the workforce. Similarly, many individuals are leaving their jobs as part of the Great Resignation, driven by factors such as burnout, childcare commitments, and the desire to pursue further education.

Amid this workforce upheaval, LinkedIn has stepped up by introducing a feature that enables users to detail their career breaks and highlight the skills acquired during that time. According to the platform, “Experience outside a linear career path can make people better colleagues, thought partners, and leaders. Share these moments that make you unique.”

For anyone who has taken time away from their professional life, explaining that gap can often be a source of anxiety. It’s clear to those who’ve cared for young children, for instance, that this experience involves substantial work and hones valuable skills like multitasking, conflict resolution, and crisis management. After all, if you can manage a fussy baby, handling a workplace crisis should feel manageable.

Since last spring, LinkedIn has allowed users to identify themselves with titles such as ‘Stay-At-Home Parent’ in response to the rising number of women leaving the workforce due to childcare and healthcare challenges exacerbated by the pandemic. This new feature enhances that capability, providing a more refined way to include career breaks on profiles and emphasizing the skills gained during those periods.

To add a career break to your LinkedIn profile, simply click “add section” beneath your profile picture and select “career break.” You can choose from a variety of descriptors to classify your break, including “full-time parenting,” “caregiving,” “bereavement,” “professional goal pursuit,” and “health and well-being.” The feature also allows you to elaborate on how you utilized this time and the skills you developed.

Camilla Lopez, a product manager at LinkedIn who spearheaded this initiative, shared that “often, it’s the experiences not listed on your resumé that reveal your true passions, strengths, and talents.” Interestingly, LinkedIn’s surveys indicate that 60% of individuals perceive a stigma around career breaks, making it difficult for those looking to return to work to explain their time away.

Moreover, 46% of employers view candidates with career breaks as untapped talent, and 51% believe an explained career break is preferable to one that is left unaddressed. “It’s common for people—especially women—to experience imposter syndrome,” Lopez added. “The key is to view these experiences as valuable learning opportunities.”

Ultimately, countless individuals have faced significant life changes in the past two years, some voluntary and others not. Regardless of the reason behind a resumé gap, everyone deserves a fair chance to re-enter the workforce. Kudos to LinkedIn for taking steps to normalize the reality that life can sometimes disrupt our career paths, especially for women and parents.

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In summary, LinkedIn’s new feature to clarify career breaks is a timely and beneficial addition, especially for women facing resumé gaps. This initiative not only allows users to explain their time away from work but also encourages the recognition of skills acquired during those periods.