Bridging the Employment Gap: Making Your Time Work for You

Being between permanent roles can be an unsettling experience, but it doesn’t have to be a void. The time between jobs can be an opportunity to grow, contribute, and strategically position yourself for the next step. However, the challenge often lies in how to use that time effectively and, crucially, present it professionally.

The Employment Gap Dilemma

For hiring managers and talent acquisition specialists, gaps in employment can sometimes raise questions. Is the candidate out of touch? Have they lost momentum? These assumptions can be unfair but are very real. Rather than allowing these gaps to be a source of ambiguity, taking control of the narrative is key.

What Can You Do?

Reflecting on my own experience, I’ve found that engaging in meaningful activities keeps skills sharp and demonstrates initiative. These are some of the areas that have helped me stay proactive:

• Professional Community Engagement: I took on the role of Programme Chair for PeersCon25, working to build a strong and diverse committee and create a conference programme to be truly proud of. This isn’t just event planning; it’s leadership, networking, and community-building in action.
• Industry Contribution: Serving on the review board for HUSTEF 2025 has allowed me to stay connected with thought leaders continent-wide, evaluate emerging trends, and actively shape the industry dialogue.
• Consulting and Advocacy: My freelance work with tool vendors has involved me training sales teams to better understand the software quality world and its people, ensuring industry narratives remain accurate and valuable. I’ve also been able to represent those at events, panels, and booths which has kept me engaged in wider conversations.
• Exploratory Work: My involvement with crowd testing has given me first-hand experience of this from the tester’s perspective. This hands-on approach has broadened my insights into testing practices outside traditional employment.

How Should You Use Your Time?

This period is an opportunity to be intentional. Some considerations for making the most of it include:

• Stay Visible: Engage with professional networks, share insights, and contribute to discussions. Presence matters.
• Develop Skills: Whether through self-directed learning, courses, or hands-on projects, continuous growth prevents stagnation.
• Give Back: Mentorship, content creation, and community involvement not only benefit others but reinforce your expertise.

Showing What You’ve Been Doing

Beyond just taking action, it’s important to showcase these activities professionally. A well-structured CV, a strong LinkedIn presence, and an ability to articulate the value of these experiences in interviews can help bridge any perceived gaps.

By reframing this period as one of professional development rather than simply “unemployment,” you take control of the narrative, demonstrate resilience, and provide clear evidence of your ongoing contributions to your field.

The employment gap doesn’t have to be a barrier, it can be an asset when approached with intention and clarity.