Ask HN: How to get a job after a career break?

12 pointsshivajikobardan2mo ago4 comments

I left my job that I got straight out of college few months ago. Why? The main reason was I had conflict with teammate in standup meeting. Used foul words. I later apologized in front of my entire teammates and settled it down. But still I resigned later on because I felt being let go. For example: My department was changed and later I was deemed unfit for that department as I could not learn “what they wanted” in two weeks. So my manager (first department) would tell me “Since you are unfit for this role, how do we take you back?” He did take us back but promoted juniors and kept me in the first level support.

To be honest I did not like that job due to the following reasons (since the start)

The work was menial.

The pay was horrible.

The blame was most because we were the lowest hanging fruits in entire company.

I wanted to prepare for government computer engineer job.

I could not see myself in that role for long.

But the reality was I could not get crack any other private sector jobs in those two plus years. I landed couple of interviews but could not get through interviews. That was when I decided government would be a better fit for my nature.

If I keep the gap visible in my resume, I will receive many questions(I might not be screened at all to be honest).

Why could not you seek a different job instead while having your existing job?

Why could not you seek a different department in your previous company itself?

I was preparing for government job since I left my job.

So I am looking for ideas to cover that gap.

4 comments

kamphey2mo ago

When I was in a new city, and wanted a very specific job... which I didn't have at the time, I went online and found the people who had been doing that job. I reached out to any of them, asked them if I could buy them a coffee and they tell me how they got the job they are doing now. That's it. I asked a bunch of people. They were happy to meet me. I asked them their favorite local coffee shop and I went to it. Because I was new to the city, it was a great way to force myself to get out and discover neighborhoods. I also got to meet amazing people who really did give me the greatest advice ever. One of them gave me advice that actually got me promoted in the next job I got. One of them gave me totally unobvious advice that ended up becoming a side career for many years.

BTW , I don't give this advice nonchalantly. Just recently I started a new business myself in my local city after being remote for many years. I reached out to friends who owned local businesses and I met them for coffee.

So this same thing I did in 2013, also worked in 2025. And if I have a new business idea or something in 5 years, I'll do it again.

There are a couple of things to do: 1. Listen.

It's not a job interview. You're not there to pitch yourself. Listen. Actively listen. Ask questions. "why did you do that?" "how did that work out?"

2. Always follow up.

Every single person I met with, I very quickly in the next day emailed them or messaged them. I thanked them very personally. not just "thanks for meeting". I recollected some piece of advice, or story point. I also had the chance to ask if there was anyone they could think of that I should talk to. Here, not everyone did this. If it's a stranger, they might not be ready to recommend you, or recommend you talk to someone. But if something came up naturally in the conversation. then by all means ask "oh you mentioned this person did something interesting, can you introduce me to hear their story?"

smackeyacky2mo ago

It’s best to be honest about conflict in a previous job without sharing details. Focus on the positive (I learned this, I achieved this).

If you’re applying for jobs make sure you don’t come across as entitled, a job might be menial but describe it as such to a future employer and you won’t be considered for anything.

raw_anon_11112mo ago

It’s best not to be honest at all and have a good story to tell - never say anything negative about your previous employer is the general rule. I broke that rule, but only because Amazon has such a bad reputation in the industry, I knew my story would be believable.

When I interviewed after being Amazoned (PIPed) in 2023, I said “I resigned because the stress of working at Amazon got to be overwhelming and I figured someone would hire me before my money ran out”.

Other excuses people use is the old “spend time with family”, “I needed a mental break”, etc.

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