The phrase “not working” can mean different things depending on your context. Whether you are dealing with a career gap, feeling burned out in your current job, or trying to troubleshoot broken technology, you can navigate these situations by identifying the root cause.
Review the most common scenarios below to find the exact help you need: 1. You’re between jobs or unemployed
If you are facing a gap on your resume or trying to figure out how to explain why you aren’t working right now:
Explaining the gap: You don’t have to over-explain. Simply stating you are job hunting, between roles, or taking time to figure out your next career move is perfectly acceptable.
Resume strategy: To avoid awkward gaps on your resume, you can list minor freelance work, personal consulting, or volunteer activities.
Managing stress: Unemployment takes a toll on mental health. Use this time to upskill, network, or reset rather than letting the job market define your self-worth. Use tools like LinkedIn to find local networking groups and Coursera to take free online courses to build your skills. 2. You’re burned out or unmotivated at work
If you are employed but feel like your job “isn’t working” for you anymore: