3 answers
sam
Student
Rourkela, Odisha, India
1
Question
Asked
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what should i do about career gap?
what should I do? I passed my b tech in 2022 and till i have a career gap of more than 2.5 years. During this period I took few courses on AI and Data Science but I always feel that I cant do it and I am not good and feel anxiety. I take over other things use distraction of movies and web and now i feel that i am losing my thinking capability and I want to get a job but dont know how.
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3 answers
Trisha Borme
Talent Acquisition - Hiring
18
Answers
North Kingstown, Rhode Island
Updated
Trisha’s Answer
The market has been very challenging over the last two years. MANY people have career gaps. The first thing is you must practice and be comfortable talking about it giving a concise overview. For example,
During this period I worked on my technical skills and personal development. While the market has been more challenging, I utilized the time to focus on my overall development. I agree take it slowly. Work into the working/job search world. Try to find a place to interact with professionals either locally or within LinkedIn. These skills are so relevant for the employment market. Feel proud that you have expertise in such a great filed. Good luck!!
During this period I worked on my technical skills and personal development. While the market has been more challenging, I utilized the time to focus on my overall development. I agree take it slowly. Work into the working/job search world. Try to find a place to interact with professionals either locally or within LinkedIn. These skills are so relevant for the employment market. Feel proud that you have expertise in such a great filed. Good luck!!
Iryna Tam
Writer, copywriter
43
Answers
Hagerstown, Maryland
Updated
Iryna’s Answer
Hi Sam!
Facing a career gap can be challenging, but there are steps you can take to regain confidence and position yourself for future employment. Here’s a structured approach to help you manage the gap and move forward:
1. Self-Reflection and Mindset Adjustment
Acknowledge Your Feelings: It's normal to feel anxious or uncertain, especially after a gap. Recognize these feelings but don't let them prevent you from taking action.
Focus on Achievements: Reflect on the courses you've completed and any skills you've gained during the gap. Recognize that learning new subjects like AI and data science is a valuable step.
2. Set Clear Goals
Define Your Career Objectives: Identify what kind of job you want to pursue. Is it in AI, data science, or another field? Having clear goals will guide your next steps.
Break Down Goals: Set small, achievable goals that can lead to your larger objective. For example, aim to apply for a certain number of internships or entry-level roles each week.
3. Revive Your Skills
Practice Regularly: Dedicate time daily or weekly to practice relevant skills in AI and data science through coding exercises, project-based work, or online platforms like LeetCode or Kaggle.
Build Projects: Create small projects on topics that interest you. This could be a data analysis project, a simple machine learning model, or contributions to open-source projects. These will bolster your portfolio.
4. Engage with the Community
Join Online Communities: Participate in forums (such as Stack Overflow, GitHub, or relevant subreddits) where you can ask questions, share your work, and learn from others.
Attend Meetups or Workshops: Look for local tech meetups, webinars, or workshops in your area on AI or data science to network and learn.
5. Update Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile
Highlight Courses and Projects: Even without formal employment, include your education, relevant courses, and any self-initiated projects on your resume.
Use Action Words: Describe your learning experience and skills using action-oriented language to emphasize your initiative and growth.
6. Consider Temporary or Part-Time Work
Internships or Freelancing: Look for internships, part-time roles, or freelance projects that can help you gain experience and build your resume while providing a structure to your work-life balance.
Volunteer Work: Participate in volunteer opportunities that leverage your skills, such as helping nonprofits with data-related tasks or projects.
7. Practice Interview Skills
Mock Interviews: Conduct mock interviews with friends or use platforms like Pramp to prep for common interview questions relevant to your field.
Prepare STAR Responses: Use the Situation, Task, Action, Result (STAR) technique to structure your responses to behavioral questions, emphasizing your learning journey and any relevant experiences.
8. Seek Support
Consider Counseling or Coaching: If your anxiety is significantly impacting your confidence and ability to move forward, don’t hesitate to seek professional help or career coaching.
Build a Support System: Talk to friends or family who support you and can encourage your steps back into the workforce. Sharing your goals can create accountability.
9. Focus on Well-being
Limit Distractions: Set boundaries for leisure activities like movies and internet browsing, using techniques such as the Pomodoro Technique to balance work and breaks efficiently.
Practice Mindfulness: Engage in mindfulness practices or exercises that enhance focus and reduce anxiety, helping you create a more productive mindset.
A career gap can feel daunting, but by acknowledging your past experiences, setting clear goals, and actively engaging in skills development and community involvement, you can build the confidence needed to re-enter the job market. Remember that many people experience similar challenges, and with dedication and persistence, you can successfully bridge the gap and find a job in your desired field. Take things one step at a time, and don't hesitate to seek support along the way. Good luck!
Facing a career gap can be challenging, but there are steps you can take to regain confidence and position yourself for future employment. Here’s a structured approach to help you manage the gap and move forward:
1. Self-Reflection and Mindset Adjustment
Acknowledge Your Feelings: It's normal to feel anxious or uncertain, especially after a gap. Recognize these feelings but don't let them prevent you from taking action.
Focus on Achievements: Reflect on the courses you've completed and any skills you've gained during the gap. Recognize that learning new subjects like AI and data science is a valuable step.
2. Set Clear Goals
Define Your Career Objectives: Identify what kind of job you want to pursue. Is it in AI, data science, or another field? Having clear goals will guide your next steps.
Break Down Goals: Set small, achievable goals that can lead to your larger objective. For example, aim to apply for a certain number of internships or entry-level roles each week.
3. Revive Your Skills
Practice Regularly: Dedicate time daily or weekly to practice relevant skills in AI and data science through coding exercises, project-based work, or online platforms like LeetCode or Kaggle.
Build Projects: Create small projects on topics that interest you. This could be a data analysis project, a simple machine learning model, or contributions to open-source projects. These will bolster your portfolio.
4. Engage with the Community
Join Online Communities: Participate in forums (such as Stack Overflow, GitHub, or relevant subreddits) where you can ask questions, share your work, and learn from others.
Attend Meetups or Workshops: Look for local tech meetups, webinars, or workshops in your area on AI or data science to network and learn.
5. Update Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile
Highlight Courses and Projects: Even without formal employment, include your education, relevant courses, and any self-initiated projects on your resume.
Use Action Words: Describe your learning experience and skills using action-oriented language to emphasize your initiative and growth.
6. Consider Temporary or Part-Time Work
Internships or Freelancing: Look for internships, part-time roles, or freelance projects that can help you gain experience and build your resume while providing a structure to your work-life balance.
Volunteer Work: Participate in volunteer opportunities that leverage your skills, such as helping nonprofits with data-related tasks or projects.
7. Practice Interview Skills
Mock Interviews: Conduct mock interviews with friends or use platforms like Pramp to prep for common interview questions relevant to your field.
Prepare STAR Responses: Use the Situation, Task, Action, Result (STAR) technique to structure your responses to behavioral questions, emphasizing your learning journey and any relevant experiences.
8. Seek Support
Consider Counseling or Coaching: If your anxiety is significantly impacting your confidence and ability to move forward, don’t hesitate to seek professional help or career coaching.
Build a Support System: Talk to friends or family who support you and can encourage your steps back into the workforce. Sharing your goals can create accountability.
9. Focus on Well-being
Limit Distractions: Set boundaries for leisure activities like movies and internet browsing, using techniques such as the Pomodoro Technique to balance work and breaks efficiently.
Practice Mindfulness: Engage in mindfulness practices or exercises that enhance focus and reduce anxiety, helping you create a more productive mindset.
A career gap can feel daunting, but by acknowledging your past experiences, setting clear goals, and actively engaging in skills development and community involvement, you can build the confidence needed to re-enter the job market. Remember that many people experience similar challenges, and with dedication and persistence, you can successfully bridge the gap and find a job in your desired field. Take things one step at a time, and don't hesitate to seek support along the way. Good luck!
Angel S
UI/UX Design Aspirant
186
Answers
India
Updated
Angel’s Answer
A career gap can feel discouraging, but it’s important to focus on the progress you've made, such as the courses in AI and Data Science. Start by acknowledging your feelings and understanding that it's okay to have gaps; many people experience them. To regain momentum, set small, achievable goals. Begin with updating your resume, highlighting any courses or skills gained during your gap, and start networking through LinkedIn or local meetups. Consider internships, volunteer work, or freelance projects to build confidence and experience. Seek support for your anxiety, either through a mentor, counselor, or peer group, to help combat feelings of inadequacy. Lastly, practice time management to reduce distractions, allowing you to regain focus and push towards your career goals.