Have a canyon sized gap on yoru resume? Be prepared to talk about it honestly.
Ever dealt with a family health problem for an extended period of time? Been laid-off? Fired? Took time off to care for children?
The majority of us will have gaps in our resumes that are sure to come up in interviews or will get the attention of human resources when evaluating you as a potential candidate. What’s the best way to deal with these gaps in employment?
First, understand that being able to talk about your career as a clear, confident narrative is paramount. Everything in your career should be linked and you should be able to speak to them as one connected story, says Palladian career blog post “Tell Me About Yourself“:
Addressing the transitions and gaps in your resume is a good way to make an impression. Why did you take each position? What did you learn in each role? How do the positions you have had link together?
Providing these details allows you to turn your individual career steps into a cohesive story. Showing how you have developed professionally is the key.
Work that you didn’t get paid for during your gap time is something you should absolutely put on your resume. Additionally, you may be able to condense the appearance of some gaps by using years instead of months in your resume, says Spherion advice blog The Big Time.
-Consider other activities you did or experiences you had while you weren’t working. Just because something wasn’t necessarily paid doesn’t mean it doesn’t count. If you volunteered, were involved in the community, completed special projects, or continued your education, put those activities in an Experience section. Describe them as if they were work experience and be specific about the positive skills you used or sharpened.
- Don’t forget that a lot of marketing is in presentation. If you eliminate months from your resume and list years instead, gaps may not be as apparent. Make sure all aspects of your resume are clear and perfectly edited, which will distinguish you from many applicants immediately.
But in the end, you may be asked to give details in months, so be prepared to talk about them in an honest way.
Life experiences like caring for family, taking time to raise children or recovering from an injury are not something you need to shy away from. They are not a negative force; They are reasonable facts that everyone deals with in life. Be prepared to talk about them without having to give up too much personal information. Honesty is the best policy, says About.com’s Alison Doyle:
What’s most important, is to tell the truth. If you lie on your resume, it will probably come back to haunt you. Employers verify work history and if you put incorrect information on your resume, I can guarantee that they’ll find out.
Want more resume advice? Check out these articles:
Executive Overcomes Gaps in Her Resume
When a Background Check Makes for Tough Interview Questions
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