Employment Gaps in Your Resume? Here’s How to Address Them

August 24, 2018

Depending on the industry, gaps in work history can be normal, even seasonal. The length of the absence in employment will determine how to best talk about it during an interview. Let’s break it down.

Boost Your Resume

Take advantage of any time off to grow as a professional. Whether you take classes, do volunteer work or become part of a professional networking group, you will gain experience from every opportunity, and they can be listed on your resume. Plus, if it’s unplanned time off, you may find a real job possibility from these “extracurricular” activities.

Short Gaps in Employment

If you have short gaps in your career path, or seasonal breaks, you can list the years of each job on your resume, instead of specific starting and ending dates. Highlight your strengths and responsibilities to draw attention to your experience rather than the length of time at each job.

If you have a job that has regular breaks or seasonal low times, plan ahead to get involved in opportunities to grow in your trade or enhance your skill set. This will not only make you a better worker, it will make for positive conversation points during your interview.

Long Gaps in Employment

Unfortunately, there can be times when you may have a long gap in employment. Especially in these lapses, it’s important for you to stay with the times, and prove you’re not out of touch.

If you left the workforce for a reason like raising your family, caring for a loved one, recovering from an injury or continuing your education full-time, talk about that with confidence. Don’t be apologetic about your decision; instead, showcase how that decision makes you a strong and capable candidate for the job.

Keep it Positive

No matter what the reasons for your employment gaps, it’s beneficial for you to stay positive during your interview if they are a part of the conversation. Never talk badly about a previous employer, and recognize how you’ve grown during those gaps to become a better professional. If you feel you might need practice before talking about this during an interview, then definitely do so!

Employment Guidance and Resume Tips

If you are looking for more employment opportunities, or a different career path, contact MS-IL Staffing & Packing. We’ve helped many professionals find a path that works for them. If you want help making your resume stand out to hiring managers, we can help you there, too.

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