No length of time is too long for an employment gap. As long as you can demonstrate you have the skills and qualifications needed for a job, no employment gap is so long it makes you unemployable.
However, according to a study performed in Sweden, searching for work after an employment gap of nine months or longer may negatively impact your chances of finding employment.
The longer a gap is, the more likely hiring managers are to ask questions about it. To overcome a gap in employment, it’s best to be upfront by listing the gap in your resume, or explaining it (without going into too much detail) in a cover letter. Most employers will be understanding.
If you work in a fast-changing industry, such as technology, a gap in employment of a year or more may prove to be a bigger hurdle. Remedy this by showing that you’ve kept up-to-date with the latest industry trends and developments, and any related technical skills.
