Career Gaps No Longer a Red Flag in Germany
Career gaps are no longer a red flag for employers in Germany. Instead, they can be an opportunity for companies to consider candidates with diverse backgrounds and valuable skills. This shift is driven by an increasing acceptance of non-linear career paths and the growing importance of soft skills.
By 2025, it is expected that 30% of résumés will have a career gap of 12 months or more. This trend is supported by Jan-Niklas Hustedt, CEO of Sparkassen-Personalberatung, who states that career gaps are not automatically deterrent if applicants explain them honestly and relevantly. Hustedt's organization, the largest in-house personnel consultancy in the DACH region, focuses on mitigating demographic change and skills shortages.
Non-linear biographies often bring valuable skills, such as those of international specialists, career changers, or returners. These candidates can provide a perspective shift in times of skilled labor shortage and transformation. Soft skills like adaptability and willingness to learn have gained massive importance in recent years. Open communication about career gaps in résumés and interviews is key to successful application. Breaks of over six months are increasing, from 28% in 2022 to 38% in 2025.
In conclusion, career gaps are becoming more common and accepted in Germany. Applicants should communicate openly about these gaps, show concrete added value, and act confidently in interviews. The job interview is crucial for candidates to present their story confidently and for companies to understand their personality and soft skills. This shift in mindset is a positive step towards mitigating demographic change and skills shortages.
