I had to leave my last job to take care of a sick parent and now I’ve been out of the market for over a year. Recruiters keep going quiet after they see my CV.
Pakistani HR departments are honestly more understanding about family caregiving gaps than people think, but only if you name it directly. Don’t write ‘career break’ and leave it blank. Write something like ‘Family caregiving responsibility, 2023-2024’ in your work history. Then in your cover letter, use one sentence: ‘I took time to care for an ailing parent, which is now resolved, and I am fully available.’ That’s it. Don’t over-explain. The recruiters going quiet are probably reacting to the unexplained gap, not the gap itself. Also update your LinkedIn to show any freelance work, online courses, or volunteer activity during that period even if unpaid, it shows you stayed active.
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