How can you address gaps in your professional history to align with your personal brand?

1 Acknowledge the gaps

The first step is to acknowledge the gaps in your professional history and not try to hide them or lie about them. Honesty and transparency are essential for building trust and credibility, which are key components of your personal brand. Moreover, trying to cover up the gaps might backfire if they are discovered later, damaging your reputation and opportunities. Instead, be prepared to explain the reasons for the gaps, whether they were personal, professional, or educational, and how they affected your career development.

2 Highlight the value

The second step is to highlight the value that you gained or created during the gaps in your professional history. Rather than focusing on the negative aspects or the challenges, emphasize the positive outcomes or the learnings that you acquired. For example, you can mention how you used the time to develop new skills, pursue new interests, volunteer for a cause, start a side project, or explore new opportunities. Show how these activities enhanced your personal brand and how they are relevant for your current or desired role.

3 Connect the dots

The third step is to connect the dots between the gaps in your professional history and your personal brand. Instead of treating the gaps as isolated incidents or deviations, show how they fit into your overall career narrative and vision. Demonstrate how the gaps helped you discover or refine your personal brand, how they shaped your goals and values, and how they prepared you for the next steps in your career. Use stories and examples to illustrate your points and to showcase your personality and passion.

4 Update your resume

The fourth step is to update your resume to reflect the gaps in your professional history and your personal brand. Depending on the length and nature of the gaps, you can use different strategies to present them in a positive and professional way. For example, you can use a functional or hybrid resume format that highlights your skills and achievements rather than your chronological work history. You can also include a summary statement or a personal branding statement that summarizes your value proposition and your career objectives. Additionally, you can add sections or entries that showcase your relevant activities or accomplishments during the gaps, such as education, certifications, projects, publications, or volunteer work.

5 Network effectively

The fifth step is to network effectively to communicate your personal brand and to address the gaps in your professional history. Networking is a powerful way to expand your reach, build relationships, and showcase your value to potential employers, clients, or collaborators. However, networking also requires you to be prepared and confident to answer questions or address concerns about your career history. Therefore, you should craft an elevator pitch that succinctly describes who you are, what you do, and what you offer, and that incorporates your personal brand and your gap story. You should also seek out opportunities to network with people who share your interests, values, or goals, and who can support your career aspirations.

6 Keep learning and growing

The sixth step is to keep learning and growing to enhance your personal brand and to fill the gaps in your professional history. No matter what stage you are in your career, you should always seek to improve your skills, knowledge, and experience, and to adapt to the changing needs and demands of your industry or field. You can do this by taking online courses, attending webinars, reading books or blogs, joining communities, or finding mentors. By doing so, you will not only demonstrate your commitment and curiosity, but also your ability to overcome challenges and to seize opportunities.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?