3 answers
Yeabsira
Student
1
Question
Asked
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What steps should I take after leaving my first post-grad job in Public Relations a year in and with a year gap in my resume following that position ?
Hello,
I recently decided I'm ready to jump back into the job market after a year long career gap. I've been working in the restaurant industry to keep myself financially stable and have taken the time to reflect and grow after my first "real" job right after graduating from college. I had a positive experience at that job, but didn't align enough with the values of the company to stay there long term. I believed that I got all that I could from the role and left as the burn out was getting detrimental to my well-being. I'm a first-generation graduate so getting my foot in the door was a huge task, but I know the strength I have to keep pushing will help me on my journey.
I have internship experience and one year of working at a prominent Tech PR agency, my skills are transferable, and I have the confidence to position myself for the right roles if given an interview. I'm looking for any advice on the best steps to take when I have a gap in my resume but not being as experienced as most people with a gap. Also, should I include my restaurant job in my updated resume? Will that take away from my credibility?
Thank you for taking the time to read my post!
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3 answers
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
1464
Answers
Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hey Yeabsira,
First off, respect to you for taking the time to reflect and grow during your gap year—you’re already ahead of the game just by this😉. Here’s my take on what you can do as you jump back into the job market. 🤔
Start by framing your gap as a period of self-discovery and skill development. Employers understand that life happens, and taking time to regroup can actually be a strength—especially if you can show that you stayed active (like working in the restaurant industry, which builds transferable skills such as communication, time management, and teamwork).
Now, about that restaurant gig—include it on your resume if you can tie it into your narrative. Explain briefly how it helped you develop resilience, customer service skills, and the ability to work under pressure. These qualities are valuable in PR too, even if it’s not directly related. Just be sure to highlight your core PR experience (your internship and tech agency role) so that it remains the centerpiece of your story.
Next, update your resume and LinkedIn profile to reflect what you’ve learned during your gap. If you took any courses or did volunteer work, list those too. Consider a brief “Career Break” section where you explain how the time off helped you refocus and prepare for your next big challenge.
Then, start networking. Reach out to former colleagues, mentors, or alumni from your college. Sometimes a coffee chat or a quick Zoom call can lead to unexpected opportunities. And don’t shy away from addressing the gap in interviews—prepare a concise, honest explanation that emphasizes your personal growth and readiness to bring fresh energy to a new role.
Finally, keep an eye out for companies that value diverse experiences and understand the non-linear paths many first-generation graduates take. Your unique background is a strength, so let it shine.
Good luck, Yeabsira—you’ve got the grit and the drive, and your journey is just getting more interesting!😎
First off, respect to you for taking the time to reflect and grow during your gap year—you’re already ahead of the game just by this😉. Here’s my take on what you can do as you jump back into the job market. 🤔
Start by framing your gap as a period of self-discovery and skill development. Employers understand that life happens, and taking time to regroup can actually be a strength—especially if you can show that you stayed active (like working in the restaurant industry, which builds transferable skills such as communication, time management, and teamwork).
Now, about that restaurant gig—include it on your resume if you can tie it into your narrative. Explain briefly how it helped you develop resilience, customer service skills, and the ability to work under pressure. These qualities are valuable in PR too, even if it’s not directly related. Just be sure to highlight your core PR experience (your internship and tech agency role) so that it remains the centerpiece of your story.
Next, update your resume and LinkedIn profile to reflect what you’ve learned during your gap. If you took any courses or did volunteer work, list those too. Consider a brief “Career Break” section where you explain how the time off helped you refocus and prepare for your next big challenge.
Then, start networking. Reach out to former colleagues, mentors, or alumni from your college. Sometimes a coffee chat or a quick Zoom call can lead to unexpected opportunities. And don’t shy away from addressing the gap in interviews—prepare a concise, honest explanation that emphasizes your personal growth and readiness to bring fresh energy to a new role.
Finally, keep an eye out for companies that value diverse experiences and understand the non-linear paths many first-generation graduates take. Your unique background is a strength, so let it shine.
Good luck, Yeabsira—you’ve got the grit and the drive, and your journey is just getting more interesting!😎
I really appreciate you providing me with these steps! This is extremely helpful!
Bright Komor
Nurse
260
Answers
Accra, Greater Accra Region, Ghana
Updated
Bright’s Answer
To address a career gap in the job market, frame it as growth and reflection, highlight transferable skills gained during your break, and include the restaurant job selectively if it is relevant. Focus on Tech PR and transferable skills from internships, and list any new skills gained during your break to show continued professional development.
When preparing a strong narrative for interviews, be honest but positive, expressing your confidence in your skills and enthusiasm for re-entering the field. Show enthusiasm for re-entering the field and how your experience makes you a stronger candidate. If you need help refining your resume or crafting a strong elevator pitch for interviews, contact us for assistance. Remember, the restaurant job is not necessarily a negative, but it shows adaptability, work ethic, and interpersonal skills relevant to your target job.
When preparing a strong narrative for interviews, be honest but positive, expressing your confidence in your skills and enthusiasm for re-entering the field. Show enthusiasm for re-entering the field and how your experience makes you a stronger candidate. If you need help refining your resume or crafting a strong elevator pitch for interviews, contact us for assistance. Remember, the restaurant job is not necessarily a negative, but it shows adaptability, work ethic, and interpersonal skills relevant to your target job.
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1205
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Yeabsira,
I admire your self-awareness and resilience. Taking time to reflect and prioritize your well-being is not a setback at all, it’s a smart and intentional career move. Now that you're ready to jump back into the job market, here are some steps to help you position yourself strongly despite the gap.
1. Reframe Your Career Gap with Confidence: Your time in the restaurant industry wasn’t just about financial stability, it likely sharpened your communication, problem-solving, and adaptability skills. If it comes up in interviews, frame it as a time of growth and reflection, rather than something to explain away. Employers value self-awareness and someone who takes intentional career steps.
2. Refresh and Tailor Your Resume & LinkedIn: Highlight your achievements in PR from your first role. If possible, quantify your impact (e.g., “Increased media coverage by X%” or “Managed social media strategy that boosted engagement by Y%”). On your LinkedIn and resume, you can also add any professional development you’ve done during this time, such as:
Freelance or volunteer PR work
Courses, certifications, or skill-building projects (LinkedIn Learning, Google Analytics, SEO, etc.)
Networking and industry events you’ve attended
3. Tap into Your Network & Leverage Informational Interviews
Your first PR job was already a big win, so use the connections you made there! Reach out to former colleagues, mentors, or even alumni from your college who work in PR or related industries. Informational interviews can open hidden opportunities and help you learn about company cultures before applying.
4. Refine Your Job Search Strategy
Since your first role didn’t align with your values, now’s the time to be intentional about the types of companies and roles you pursue. Think about:
What industries or brands excite you?
Do you want to focus on media relations, content strategy, corporate comms, or something else?
What kind of work environment will keep you engaged and growing?
Applying with a clear vision will help you avoid burnout again and land in a role that fits your strengths and aspirations.
5. Craft a Strong Narrative for Interviews
When asked about your gap, keep it positive and future-focused:
"After my first PR job, I took time to reflect on what kind of work would fulfill me long-term. While working in the restaurant industry, I strengthened my ability to think on my feet, handle fast-paced environments, and communicate with diverse teams—skills that are invaluable in PR. Now, I’m excited to return to the field with fresh energy and a clearer vision of where I want to grow."
This keeps the focus on your readiness rather than the gap itself.
6. Apply with Confidence—You’re Not Starting Over!
You already broke into PR once, and you have experience, skills, and perspective that will make you an even stronger candidate now. Approach this next step with confidence, you’ve done the hard work of reflection, and now it's time to find a role that truly fits you.
I hope this helps!
Best wishes!
I admire your self-awareness and resilience. Taking time to reflect and prioritize your well-being is not a setback at all, it’s a smart and intentional career move. Now that you're ready to jump back into the job market, here are some steps to help you position yourself strongly despite the gap.
1. Reframe Your Career Gap with Confidence: Your time in the restaurant industry wasn’t just about financial stability, it likely sharpened your communication, problem-solving, and adaptability skills. If it comes up in interviews, frame it as a time of growth and reflection, rather than something to explain away. Employers value self-awareness and someone who takes intentional career steps.
2. Refresh and Tailor Your Resume & LinkedIn: Highlight your achievements in PR from your first role. If possible, quantify your impact (e.g., “Increased media coverage by X%” or “Managed social media strategy that boosted engagement by Y%”). On your LinkedIn and resume, you can also add any professional development you’ve done during this time, such as:
Freelance or volunteer PR work
Courses, certifications, or skill-building projects (LinkedIn Learning, Google Analytics, SEO, etc.)
Networking and industry events you’ve attended
3. Tap into Your Network & Leverage Informational Interviews
Your first PR job was already a big win, so use the connections you made there! Reach out to former colleagues, mentors, or even alumni from your college who work in PR or related industries. Informational interviews can open hidden opportunities and help you learn about company cultures before applying.
4. Refine Your Job Search Strategy
Since your first role didn’t align with your values, now’s the time to be intentional about the types of companies and roles you pursue. Think about:
What industries or brands excite you?
Do you want to focus on media relations, content strategy, corporate comms, or something else?
What kind of work environment will keep you engaged and growing?
Applying with a clear vision will help you avoid burnout again and land in a role that fits your strengths and aspirations.
5. Craft a Strong Narrative for Interviews
When asked about your gap, keep it positive and future-focused:
"After my first PR job, I took time to reflect on what kind of work would fulfill me long-term. While working in the restaurant industry, I strengthened my ability to think on my feet, handle fast-paced environments, and communicate with diverse teams—skills that are invaluable in PR. Now, I’m excited to return to the field with fresh energy and a clearer vision of where I want to grow."
This keeps the focus on your readiness rather than the gap itself.
6. Apply with Confidence—You’re Not Starting Over!
You already broke into PR once, and you have experience, skills, and perspective that will make you an even stronger candidate now. Approach this next step with confidence, you’ve done the hard work of reflection, and now it's time to find a role that truly fits you.
I hope this helps!
Best wishes!