If your time away exceeded 6 months then you can simply include a line in your Experience section that reads “Professional Development & Personal Time Away,” dated “to present.” Then, to keep it ethical…start working on some professional development right now. When discussing, mention your newfound energy and focus on how you’ve prepared for the current role via learning and development.

We try to reduce the negative impact of significant career breaks with an explanatory entry in the experience section. It should be formatted like your employment experience as a Sabbatical or Leave of Absence with the date range and a brief explanation that addresses the timeframe as positively as possible (e.g., recovering from illness, family caregiving, volunteering, or educational pursuits).

It’s not necessary to mention mental health on your resume or LinkedIn. Instead, focus on skills, achievements, and what you bring to the table. If asked, you can explain the gap briefly, framing it around personal development or time spent recharging and preparing to bring your best to your next role.

Disclosing specific details of health conditions isn’t a requirement. If you are comfortable in an interview stating, “I had a health condition that is now resolved,” then do so, but keep it simple. Unless there was a cultural or academic experience or something similar, I do not recommend adding this information in the resume or LinkedIn profile. It’s best to only mention a personal sabbatical.

Mentioning mental health issues could be a deal-breaker in your job search. With the exception of certain sensitive positions, such as working with children or leadership roles, it may be best to not volunteer information regarding your mental health challenges, presuming that they are under control with appropriate medication. If your gap is under one year, it may not be evident on your resume.