Career breaks are more common than ever but, despite changing norms and pandemic-related job losses, job seekers need to know how to address any gaps in their résumés, CNBC reported.

Career expert Vicki Salemi of job website Monster advised addressing the issue succinctly on one's résumé to get ahead of it, because an employer would wonder about it, but added that a break is not necessarily a red flag.

“Providing hiring managers a reason for the break and what was learned can quell their curiosity and fears about your abilities and commitment,” she said. “Employers have been more amenable due to the pandemic, Great Resignation, as well as job hopping—gaps aren’t glaring red flags as they’ve been in the past.”

The temptation to conceal employment breaks exists because they’re often viewed negatively, but Jenn Lim, CEO of organizational consultancy Delivering Happiness, told CNBC that it’s never a good idea to hide or be deceitful in an interview. A job candidate can be honest without “going into intimate details,” she said.

Candidates who are not comfortable with revealing the exact reason for an employment gap should keep the answer general, leadership coach and workplace expert Nicole Price told CNBC.

“You can say, ‘I took a career break for personal reasons that required my attention,” she said. “Now, I’m ready to return to work and bring my full dedication to a new role.”

If employers demand more information, experts advise candidates to stand their ground and assert theirboundaries, CNBC reported.

“You can be direct and indicate it’s a personal reason even if they keep pushing,” said Salemi. "Remember, you’re interviewing them as much as they’re interviewing you.”

Lim advised “flip[ping] the script” from why one was out of the workforce to what one did during the time away.

“Literally everybody probably either has has had to do [a career break] at some point or know someone who has,” said Nick Gausling, who took a six-month “health and well-being” break, and put it on his LinkedIn profile, after serious mold exposure in his home.

“Focus on what’s in your control, [such as] the skills or experiences you’ve gained during this time,” said Salemi.

“A candidate who takes proactive steps to stay informed and develop relevant skills, whether through freelance work, online courses, or other means, can still be a strong asset to a company,” said Price. “To overcome perceptions of being out-of-touch, candidates should clearly articulate the steps they took to stay informed and maintain or develop their skills during their break.”