Ask HN: How to justify my time-off?

#1

Post by throwawayyyay » Mon, Oct 30, 2023, 9:04 PM UTC

Hi, I'm a software dev with around 5 years of experience slowly trying to return to the market after a 10 month long sabbatical.

How would you go about looking for a job now, with that gap in your CV? What would you write and how would you explain it at potential interviews?

Re: Ask HN: How to justify my time-off?

#2

Post by JohnFen » Mon, Oct 30, 2023, 9:17 PM UTC

What did you do during your sabbatical? When I did something similar, I listed it on my CV as a sabbatical and also listed the skills I gained/improved on that would be of value to the potential employer. It didn't seem to hurt me at all.

Re: Ask HN: How to justify my time-off?

#3

Post by simulosius » Mon, Oct 30, 2023, 9:20 PM UTC

What about the truth?

Re: Ask HN: How to justify my time-off?

#4

Post by yuppie_scum » Mon, Oct 30, 2023, 9:20 PM UTC

Why not be honest? There’s nothing to hide and a hiring manager isn’t gonna care as long as you are qualified.

Re: Ask HN: How to justify my time-off?

#5

Post by dudul » Mon, Oct 30, 2023, 9:44 PM UTC

What did you do during 10 months? Just put that.

Re: Ask HN: How to justify my time-off?

#6

Post by joezydeco » Mon, Oct 30, 2023, 10:06 PM UTC

Change your resume to show which years you were at a job. Leave the months off.

e.g.: Assistant to the Regional Manager, Dunder-Mifflin, 2009-2023

A 10-month gap will be invisible. You'll see. Then, next step, never mention it in an interview.

Re: Ask HN: How to justify my time-off?

#7

Post by dudul » Mon, Oct 30, 2023, 10:14 PM UTC

joezydeco wrote: post #6

Change your resume to show which years you were at a job. Leave the months off. e.g.: Assistant to the Regional Manager, Dunder-Mifflin, 2009-2023 A 10-month gap will be invisible. You'll see. Then, next step, never mention it in an interview.

And hope that either the new job doesn't run a background check or doesn't care about the discrepancy (very likely once you reach this point of the pipeline, but you never know).

Re: Ask HN: How to justify my time-off?

#8

Post by jjgreen » Mon, Oct 30, 2023, 10:20 PM UTC

joezydeco wrote: post #6

Change your resume to show which years you were at a job. Leave the months off. e.g.: Assistant to the Regional Manager, Dunder-Mifflin, 2009-2023 A 10-month gap will be invisible. You'll see. Then, next step, never mention it in an interview.

You should probably do this in any case, including months in employment periods is a bit like saying "I'm seven and a half!" when someone asks your age.

Re: Ask HN: How to justify my time-off?

#9

Post by Nextgrid » Mon, Oct 30, 2023, 10:48 PM UTC

Just say that you were tending to a sick family member.

Re: Ask HN: How to justify my time-off?

#10

Post by billybuckwheat » Mon, Oct 30, 2023, 10:49 PM UTC

Agree with several of the other responders here: tell the truth. If you took time off to deal with burnout or take care of an ill loved one, or if you couldn't find the right position, let them know. Most (though not all, sadly) recruiters and interviewers will appreciate the honesty. Yes, this is experience speaking.