Survey: 2 in 3 workers now have a resume gap

The pandemic — which pushed many caregivers, in particular, out of the workforce — highlighted why employers may unnecessarily limit talent pools when they discount workers with resume gaps. 

Indeed Flex released new data showing more than 2 in 3 workers said they have experienced an employment gap, and 3 in 5 workers surveyed said they think resume gaps have made it harder for them to find full-time employment. 

The top three reasons cited for employment gaps included family responsibilities, layoffs and relocation, according to Indeed, pointing to a potentially untapped talent pool. 

This disconnect was spotlighted during a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission event. Caregivers, older workers, workers with disabilities and workers with criminal backgrounds are all hamstrung by a focus on resume gaps, and each can bring unique skills to the workplace, speakers said during the event. 

The pandemic also forced some workers into unemployment for the first time, a 2021 report from Challenger, Gray & Christmas noted — and many, especially older workers, were uncertain how to discuss their skills. 

In response, LinkedIn implemented the ability to add job titles like “stay-at-home parent” and removed requirements that resume entries be linked to specific employers to address those concerns. Many employers have also experimented with returnships, particularly since the start of the pandemic, to encourage left-out workers to come back to the workforce.