How to Explain Gaps in Employment on Your Resume
Learn how to explain unexpected job gaps without raising red flags with potential employers, how to explain gaps in employment on your resume, and land a new job.
There's a looming elephant in the room during every job interview – the dreaded employment gap. However, take a deep breath, and let's smash that elephant-sized misconception: Having a gap in your employment is not an automatic disqualifier.
The truth is, life happens, and sometimes work isn't the main priority. Perhaps you took a break to travel the world, took a mental health break, couldn’t find a job for a while, took care of a loved one, decided to take a break from everything, or just binge-watched Netflix.
Instead of panicking, it's crucial to understand how to approach and articulate those periods effectively. Let's dive into the dos and don'ts of explaining employment gaps on your resume.
Why Do Employment Gaps Matter
Your resume is a story about your professional journey, and like every story, it needs a coherent narrative. Gaps in employment can disrupt that narrative, leaving employers puzzled about what happened during those blank spaces.
It's vital to present these gaps in a manner that doesn't detract from your qualifications or cast doubt on your commitment.
Framing Your Employment Gaps
Honesty is the Best Policy
Being truthful about your employment gap is paramount. Let’s imagine Jane, a sales executive who took a year off to take care of her ailing parent. In her cover letter or during her interview, Jane can briefly mention her caregiving responsibilities.
By being upfront, she displays personal integrity and shows potential employers that she had a legitimate reason for her employment gap. Be candid about the reasons for your employment break, but avoid unnecessary oversharing.
Highlight Constructive Activities
Use the time away from the workforce as an opportunity for growth. Consider John, who lost his job due to a company-wide layoff. He spent the subsequent months doing volunteer work and taking an online course related to his industry.
John's activities not only kept his skills relevant but also showed initiative, demonstrating to potential employers his commitment to personal development. If you have completed any online courses that ended in certifications, you can also add them to your resume and LinkedIn profile.
Focus on Transferable Skills
Regardless of the reason for your employment gap, you likely learned or honed skills that are transferable to your target job. For instance, Sarah, a former project manager, stayed home for two years raising her children. She can emphasize the transferable skills she used during this period, such as multitasking, time management, and negotiation, which are valuable in virtually every profession.
Choose the Right Format for Your Resume
Traditionally, resumes are structured in a reverse-chronological order, which can highlight employment gaps. A functional resume focuses on your skills and experiences rather than your chronological work history. This format can help potential employers see your value and skills first, rather than focusing on the timeline of your work history.
The Power of Positive Framing
The way you frame your employment gap can make a significant difference! Avoid negative phrasing that might signal a lack of confidence or incite unnecessary suspicion. Instead, confidently present the gap as a period of growth and learning.
For instance, Tom, an engineer who took a break to travel the world, can frame this positively by expressing how his exposure to diverse cultures and technologies inspired innovative thinking, a skill highly valued in his field.
How to Explain Gaps in Employment on Your Resume
The job market can be tough, but an employment gap doesn't have to be a stumbling block. It's all about showcasing how your experiences, during both employment and gaps, have prepared you for the job you're seeking. With honesty, strategic framing, and a focus on skills and activities, you can turn a potential disadvantage into a unique selling point.
Remember, it's not the gap that matters, but how you talk about it!' Use your employment gap narrative to show your resilience, versatility, and personal growth. With the right approach, you're well-equipped to navigate the job market and successfully land your next opportunity. It's time to turn the page on your next professional chapter with renewed confidence!
Resume gaps occur for all of us; remember that you are more than just your work history!
This week, I shared a post titled “Is the number of applicants on LinkedIn accurate?” and I was somewhat shocked by how many people were unaware of this. You can find out more about it on my LinkedIn post.
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