5 Reasons Companies Fear Hiring Career-break Candidates & How to Overcome Them

If you’ve thought about taking a career break…

… but you’re worried that companies will see you differently because of it, this article is for you.

Unfortunately, you’re not wrong to be concerned as some companies really do see candidates differently after a career break.

However, you can do something about this!

They don’t see you differently because you’re not skilled, not professional, experienced or marketable enough, but instead, it’s usually because of negative assumptions that prevent them from seeing past the career break stigma and recognise your true skills and potential value to them as a professional.

The only person who is going to make them see you real value, is you.  

We know that career breaks are increasingly popular among men and women, with two-thirds of us likely to take a one during our working lives (Harvard Business Review), usually to take care of a child or elderly person. And around 93% will want to re-enter the workplace after their time off.

Yet despite this, career breaks are not without their challenges, particularly when it comes to re-entering the job market.
Research by PWC found that in the UK, three in five professional women will return to lower-skilled or lower-paid jobs following their career breaks, often suffering an immediate salary reduction of up to one third!

However, you should know that these barriers to re-entry are starting to change!

Companies are recognising the benefits of career breaks for employees, with many even offering paid or unpaid sabbaticals. And they’re also starting to recognise the opportunity in hiring candidates who are returning to work, post career-break.

To see more on how things are changing for the better, check out this article and video.

Having said that, if we truly want to understand what is stopping companies from hiring career break candidates, we have to be open to seeing things from their point of view, don’t we?

Only then can we effectively counter these barriers and move forward together.

With that said, here are 5 Reasons Why Companies Fear Hiring Career-break Candidates & How to Overcome them:

1. Value & Priorities:

The company may be concerned that you no longer see your career, or your work with them as the highest priority, compared to other candidates who don’t have significant breaks in their career.

How to Overcome this: Highlight in your CV, cover letter and the interview how focused and dedicated you are to your career and the company you work for. Clearly express your long term ambition and your drive, and try to show evidence of this through continued professional development

2. Time, Money, Resources:

The company may fear that you’ll leave again (either for another break OR because you’re unsure of what you want professionally) and they’ll pay for that leave with their time, resources and budget spent on recruiting and training you.

How to Overcome this: Demonstrate your commitment to a long term career with them, how ready you are to work again, how sure you are about this job and, if possible, highlight previous company loyalty.

3. Out-of-Date:

They may be concerned that time out from your career has made you ‘obsolete’ or out-of-date in the industry, with regards to the latest industry advancements, technology and required skill sets, regardless of your previous education and experience.

How to Overcome this: Stay up to date during your time off. Complete additional training courses. Keep up to date with the industry changes and progress. Show this on your CV and demonstrate it in your interview!

 4. Adaptability:

They may fear that you lack flexibility or adaptability to learn new things or fit in, holding onto an outdated mindset.

How to Overcome this: Highlight that you are adaptable, show them evidence of this if possible, and show a flexible mindset, comfort towards change, and a willingness to learn and grow.

5. Motivation:

The company may question whether you still have the same motivation and career drive that you had prior to your career break.

How to Overcome this: Show them you’re driven, motivated, ambitious and willing to learn and grow as a professional. Do this through your interview conversation and through additional professional training courses. By having up to date industry knowledge, you’re already demonstrating career motivation and dedication. Plus, why not highlight your career goals to show your ambition and direction, so they know you’re not just ‘testing the water’ with them.

If you think about it from a business point of view, just for a moment, it’s possible to see that these are natural concerns to have,

But they shouldn’t limit your success!

As candidates, knowing these fears and empathising with them, actually offers you valuable insight into the employers mindset, so you can identify how to adapt professionally and neutralise these fears to land the job you want.

Every professional is responsible for developing their own business skills and their employability, to put themselves in the best position to attract great companies and great job opportunities.

Think ahead for a moment, when you rejoin the business world after a career-break, wouldn’t it be nice to feel empowered, valued, up-to-date, in demand and completely ready! With the right insight and preparation, this is easier than you may think!

Check out this article for 12 top tips on what you can do to proactively start that journey on the right path and ensure you are an in-demand candidate upon your return!

What’s your point of view on this? Can you think of any other fears or concerns companies may have about employing ‘career breakers’?

Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments box AND feel free to share this article with your friends and colleagues via Facebook & LinkedIn.

Best,

Adam 

P.S. If you’re looking to develop your professional skills and enhance your employability, check out our Business English Courses and Training Courses today!.

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