Turning Career Setbacks Into Stepping Stones

We've all been there: that moment when a project goes sideways, confidence takes a hit, and suddenly there's a gap in your CV that feels impossible to explain. Whether it's mental health challenges, burnout, or simply needing time to recover, these breaks are more common than you might think.

This question was answered by Jasmin Bedir, CEO of Innocean Australia and founder of Fckthecupcakes, alongside Andy Wright, founder of Never Not Creative and CEO of Streamtime. Both bring deep industry experience and understanding of the human side of creative work.

Reframe Your Experience as Learning

Don't underestimate what you gained from challenging projects, even ones that didn't reach completion. As Andy points out: "You'll have learned more on that project than people who have never had that experience." That difficult beverages company project? It taught you about project management, recognising when you need support, and understanding your own limits. These are valuable skills that many creatives never develop.

Show Your Thinking Process

If you're concerned about lacking portfolio pieces, Jasmin suggests doing "a little bit of desk research and show them how it's relevant to whatever job you're going for." Instead of just presenting finished work, demonstrate your problem-solving approach. Walk potential employers through how you'd tackle similar challenges, drawing on the insights you gained from past experiences.

Remember: Interviewers Want You to Succeed

"People interview you, they don't necessarily look for faults," Jasmin reminds us. "They usually just really want to go into this beautiful new relationship potentially and find someone that's right for the job." Most hiring managers are excited to meet candidates and hear about their strengths, not hunt for weaknesses.

Find the Right Cultural Fit

Mental health challenges require understanding employers. As Jasmin notes, "depression and anxiety is so rife in our industry" and "everyone that's a half decent employer... will understand that." Use the interview process to assess whether this is somewhere you'd feel supported. The right employer will see your honesty about mental health as a strength, not a liability.

Seek Support and Mentorship

Andy emphasises the value of talking through these experiences: "There's a lot of really good mentoring programs out there at the moment." Finding someone who can help you process what happened and coach you through job searching can be invaluable. You'll likely discover that many successful creatives have similar stories.

Career gaps happen. Projects fail. Mental health matters more than perfect CVs. The creative industry is slowly learning that supporting people through difficult times creates better work and stronger teams. Your experience of burnout and recovery isn't a weakness to hide – it's proof of your resilience and self-awareness.