How to Address Employment Gap in Your Resume

Employment gap on your resume can sometimes look like a red flag for the interviewers. But does it have to be? The answer might surprise you! While it’s easy to worry about how these gaps will be thought of by employers, you can actually address them carefully to actually work in your favour. It’s important to show your experience in a manner that works positively for you. Don’t worry if you took time off to care for a loved one or pursued further education, you can address these issues. Let’s find out how you turn these gaps into something that strengthens your resume.

Key Takeaways

1. Be honest about employment gap in your resume. It can help turn it into strength rather than weakness.
2. Use your cover letter to showcase the skills, experiences, and personal growth during the employment gap tenure.
3. Customize your resume and cover letter for each job application.

Why Do Employment Gap Matter?

First things first, why do employers care about employment gap? Employers may see these gaps as a risk of hiring an up-to-date employee. They might think if you have outdated skills, lacked ambition, or faced other challenges that could impact your job performance. However, this doesn’t mean that having a gap is a deal-breaker. It’s all about how you address it! Recent reports show that 68% of employees have an employment gap in the United States.

Be Honest About Your Employment Gap

Honesty is the best policy when it comes to explaining employment gap. You might get tempted to compromise dates or stretch the truth, but this can backfire quickly. If an employer finds out that you’ve been dishonest about your career gap, it can cost you the job offer or lead to termination if you’re already hired. Instead, be upfront about the career gap and focus on what you learned or achieved during that time. It’s time to showcase your new skills learned during this gap or completed personal projects. These experiences will show your ability to stay productive and motivated, even though you were not formally employed.

Show What You Did During the Employment Gap

You need to mention what you did during the career gap like attending workshops, completing any professional courses, or trying your hands at a startup. Mention these activities to prove that you continued to develop your skills and knowledge. For example, if you took a career break to take care of an ailing family member, you must show it and provide documentary proof.

Stats show that 88% employers value volunteer work just as much as paid experience. If you spent time volunteering, don’t think twice to include it on your resume. Volunteering can show that you have the skills required for teamwork and leadership. All of them are desirable soft skills while hiring an employee. How many times have you heard someone say that they landed a job because of the skills they developed while volunteering? You might be one of those telling this to others.

Customize Your Resume to Match the Job You’re Applying

You should create your resume to fit the job you’re applying for! One of the best ways to address employment gaps is to customize your resume for each position based on the relevant experience, skillset and knowledge gained. This means focusing on the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the job at hand. By doing so, you can draw attention away from the gap and focus the employer’s attention.

For example, if you’re applying for a marketing role, you might highlight any freelance marketing projects or courses you completed during your time off. This not only fills the gap but also shows that you’re serious about your career in marketing.

Have a Strong Cover Letter

A strong cover letter can impact your job search in a positive way. Your cover letter is your chance to directly address any employment gaps and provide details that might not fit neatly into your resume. Use your cover letter to explain why you took time off and how it has prepared you for the role you’re applying for. Be sure to keep the tone positive and focus on your personality to contribute to the company.

In your cover letter, briefly explain the reason for the gap. It may be due to focusing on any skills or experiences during that time. Highlight how the gap has prepared you for the role you’re applying for.

Real-World Case Study of Employment Gap

Let’s look at a real-life example: Sheryl Sandberg, the former COO of Facebook (now Meta). Although her career is marked by significant achievements, Sandberg faced a personal and professional setback when her husband suddenly passed away in 2015. She took time off from her job role to grieve and care for her children.

When she returned to work, Sandberg didn’t shy away from addressing this gap. Instead, she openly discussed how the experience shaped her as a leader. She authored a book, “Option B” where she talks about resilience and finding strength during tough times. Sandberg’s transparency about her time off matched many and clearly shows that even top executives face personal challenges. Her experience showed that taking time off for personal reasons doesn’t decrease one’s professional value.

Another example is Howard Schultz, who is the former CEO of Starbucks. He took a deliberate pause from the company in 2000. During his employment gap, Schultz focused on personal interests and went on to pursue other ventures. When he returned to Starbucks in 2008, he led the company through a major transformation. 

Lastly, you can also look at famous personality J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series. She had a major employment gap while battling depression and poverty. She used that time to write and finally became one of the world’s most successful authors.

Reframe the Narrative of Employment Gap

Why not reframe the narrative around your employment gap? Instead of seeing it as an inactive period, look at it as a time of growth and learning. Many people take career breaks to travel, learn new skills, or explore different career paths. Employers have now recognized the value of these experiences. By reframing your employment gap as a deliberate choice for your personal and professional development, you can shift the focus from what you were missing to what you gained.

Keep Practicing Your Employment Gap Explanation

What will you say if asked about your employment gap in an interview? It’s worth having a clear explanation ready for the interview. Practice your response so that it sounds natural and confident. Remember, the goal is to reassure the employer that you’re ready to hit the ground running and that the gap hasn’t anything to do with your ability to perform the job. Focus on the skills you’ve acquired and how they make you a strong candidate for the position.

Final Thoughts

Employment gaps don’t have to be the career blocks they’re often made out to be. By being honest, you can turn what seems like a negative into a positive. Remember Sheryl Sandberg’s example: life’s challenges don’t have to derail your career. With the right approach, you can address employment gaps confidently and continue to advance in your professional life. So, the next time you find yourself worrying about that gap in your resume, turn this into an opportunity.