🙋♀️ How I Tackled Employment Gaps on My Resume (And You Can Too!)
When I was job searching last year, I was really worried about the employment gaps on my resume. I had taken some time off work to travel, deal with family matters, and frankly, just figure out what I wanted to do with my life. But I knew those gaps could raise red flags for potential employers.
I didn’t want hiring managers to assume the worst – that I was unmotivated, flaky, or my skills had gotten rusty. I knew I had to find a way to address those resume gaps head-on. And with some thoughtful strategy and wording, I was able to do just that and land a great new job. Here’s what worked for me:
💡 Be Honest and Upfront
First and foremost, never try to hide or fudge the dates of your employment gaps. Employers can easily verify your work history, and being caught in a lie is much worse than having a gap. Instead, be transparent about the time you weren’t working.
In my case, I listed my employment dates clearly, but I also used the bullet points under each role to briefly explain what I was doing during the gaps. For example:
“June 2020 – January 2021: Took planned time off to travel extensively through Europe and Southeast Asia. Volunteered at a wildlife sanctuary in Thailand.”
By being open and honest, I was able to control the narrative around my resume gaps.
🌟 Highlight Your Productive Gap Time
Even if you weren’t employed, chances are you were still doing something productive or enriching during that time. Think about what skills, experiences or insights you gained while you weren’t working a traditional job.
– Did you volunteer or do any freelance work?
– Did you take any classes or earn certifications?
– Did you work on any passion projects or side hustles?
– Did you have any meaningful travel or cultural experiences?
In your resume and cover letter, describe what you did during your gap times in a way that showcases the value of those experiences. Use strong action verbs. For me, in addition to my travel, I highlighted that I earned a Project Management certification online and worked on some freelance writing projects. This showed employers I was still being productive and developing myself.
🧰 Acquire New Skills
If you’ve been out of work for a while, one of the best things you can do is to acquire new skills that make you a more compelling candidate. Take advantage of the many online learning platforms and resources out there. Some ideas:
– Take an online course or workshop in your field
– Earn a certification (coding bootcamp, Google Analytics, etc.)
– Learn a new tool or software that’s relevant to your work
– Develop a technical skill like data analysis, UX design, SEO, etc.
Adding some fresh skills to your resume shows that you’re proactive, up-to-date in your field, and serious about jumping back into the workforce. It gives employers confidence that despite your gap, you’re still a sharp, qualified and enthusiastic candidate.
💼 Consider a Different Resume Format
The standard reverse-chronological resume format, which lists your work experience from most to least recent, isn’t always the best choice if you have notable gaps. Instead, consider using a functional or hybrid resume format that emphasizes your skills and achievements over your chronological work history.
With a functional resume, you’ll have prominent sections for your professional summary, skills, and accomplishments. Your actual work history is listed very concisely in a separate section. This type of resume allows you to showcase your qualifications upfront, while downplaying your employment gaps.
I used a hybrid format that started with a strong professional summary and key skills section, followed by my work history with the gap explanations. This structure allowed me to shape my narrative and highlight my strengths.
😊 Stay Positive and Confident
Finally, the most important thing is to stay positive and confident about your employment prospects, no matter how long you’ve been out of work. Don’t let resume gaps make you feel self-conscious or less than. Believe in the value you have to offer and let that shine through in your applications.
Employers know that the pandemic has upended many people’s careers and that work gaps have become more common. Smart companies look at the whole candidate, not just their perfectly linear work history. If you present yourself as a qualified, capable and enthusiastic person who’s ready to jump back in, the right employer will recognize that.
💪 You’ve Got This!
Navigating employment gaps is stressful, but with honesty, proactivity and some savvy positioning on your resume, you can absolutely still land a great job. Use your gap time to reflect, grow your skills, and reframe how you market yourself. Most importantly, don’t let time away from the workforce shake your confidence. You have unique talents and experiences to offer, and the right role is out there for you. Keep your head up and keep pushing forward – you’ve got this!
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