What do you do if you have gaps in your resume during a job search?

Will notify honestly. Motivate myself and will stay positive during this time. Also, will improve professional skills and will explore new things.

Address Honestly: The companies understand that one can have gap in education/employment. What's important is how to address is during an interview. And everyone has a reason. Use STAR method to share your story. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action and Results. Think about your reason and convert it into a story using above method to give it a genuine form. Practice to say it in front of the mirror a few times so it comes easy for you to explain during the interview. Make sure to relate it back to lessons learnt so it helps in a genuine conversation. All the best!

Address it head on- in your resume or cover letter, or both. Don't ignore it and hope no one will notice. Upfront transparency and full disclosure puts you in the driver's seat and providing a brief, honest and positive explanation before you are asked defuses concerns allowing it to be a non-issue. Be factual, concise, and find the positives in the situation so you don't appear to be defensive or look like you are hiding something. For example: 2005 - 2006 Laid off from XYZ Co. due to economic reasons and took advantage of the opportunity to explore moving to a new industry segment. This was a transition period focused on finding alignment with a company that was willing to invest in me while taking advantage of my transferrable skills.

When discussing resume gaps, honesty plays a crucial role. If asked about the gaps during an interview, provide direct explanations without delving into personal details. Employers value openness and the ability to embrace your career path. Whether the gaps were due to personal reasons, such as health or family, or professional reasons like further education or volunteer work, explain how these experiences have contributed to your personal and professional development. Avoid negative comments about previous employers or circumstances; focus on the positive outcomes and what you've learned.

Stay Positive: It's all about the spin, right? Focus on the positives that came out of those gaps. Maybe you learned new skills, gained a fresh perspective, or had life experiences that have made you more resilient and adaptable. Emphasize how these experiences have prepared you for the job market. Employers appreciate candidates who can turn challenges into opportunities.

If you left a bad situation - overworked, conflict, had a toxic boss, etc., focus instead on the positive. Detailing your bad exit experience - either in an interview or on LinkedIn usually only reflects badly on you. By being excited about the future rather than dwelling on the past you'll have a much better mindset in your job search.

Update Skills: This one's a game-changer. Use any gaps as a chance to level up your skills. Whether through online courses, workshops, or even self-study, showing that you've used your time wisely to stay current in your field demonstrates initiative and commitment. It's a powerful way to make your resume stand out, regardless of those gaps.

Update Skills: This one's a game-changer. Use any gaps as a chance to level up your skills. Whether through online courses, workshops, or even self-study, showing that you've used your time wisely to stay current in your field demonstrates initiative and commitment. It's a powerful way to make your resume stand out, regardless of those gaps.

Update skills: Is the most important for our life to get the better opportunity in the corporate life. And we should be in patience mode untill get the good opportunity

A career gap is the perfect time to take a class or pursue a certification, and being a student fills the gap in your experience. Anyone gearing up for a job search after an extended career break can benefit from making sure their knowledge is up to date, and this signals to employers your commitment to your profession.

frame them in a way that highlights your growth and how it relates to your career goals. For instance, if you took a break to travel or pursue a passion project, talk about how those experiences have enhanced your creativity, problem-solving skills, or global perspective. Make it relevant.

Frame Strategically: It's not just what you say; it's how you say it. When discussing resume gaps, frame them in a way that highlights your growth and how it relates to your career goals. For instance, if you took a break to travel or pursue a passion project, talk about how those experiences have enhanced your creativity, problem-solving skills, or global perspective. Make it relevant.

Network Proactively: Never underestimate the power of networking. Sometimes, it's not just about what you know, but who you know. Reach out to old colleagues, attend industry meet-ups, or join professional groups. Making connections can open doors that a resume alone might not, especially when someone can vouch for your character and capabilities.

Network Proactively: Never underestimate the power of networking. Sometimes, it's not just about what you know, but who you know. Reach out to old colleagues, attend industry meet-ups, or join professional groups. Making connections can open doors that a resume alone might not, especially when someone can vouch for your character and capabilities.

Volunteer Actively: Volunteering is a fantastic way to fill gaps on your resume. It shows you're proactive and committed to making a difference, even outside of a paid position. Plus, the skills and experiences you gain from volunteering can be incredibly relevant to your career. It's a win-win.

First of all, I only list years and not months. I only go back 10-15 years. Anything before that goes into a section titled Prior to 2009 (For example), and then title only, name of employer, city, state, for all the jobs prior to 2009. If the gap is more recent, often times the education will fill in the gaps in the education section. If the “gap” is questioned explain honestly. I was looking for a job, was taking courses while looking, took medical leave and am now better, took family leave and am now ready to return to the workforce. Make sure you mention that you have maintained your skills and have picked up new skills during the “gap” so that you are current with the job market. Honesty is the best way to go.

Volunteer work is tremendously insightful, wherever you are in your professional career. It’s an opportunity for you to showcase what interests you have in and the difference you want to make in your community. As a graduating senior, volunteer work is where I developed my passion for helping others. Having the opportunity to learn others backgrounds and stories was something I always enjoyed. The connections I made and the experience of being a servant to others made for experiences that frame who I am on my resume and supports my mission. Most importantly, it is always good to give back to others out of good will, heart, and the spirit to do so.

Remember that the recruiter you're aiming to impress is just as likely to have gaps on their own resume. The current job market has not been kind to anyone, but the Recruiting Team is the first to be let go (often before a larger layoff), and the last team to grow again after things stabilize. The red flag for recruiters is usually not the gap itself, but how you present it and talk about it. You don't need to highlight the gap front and center, but any efforts to hide it may come back to bite you. The recruiter will eventually find out, and it may cause them to doubt your integrity.

For parents re-entering the workforce after full-time unpaid care, this “gap” can trigger maternal bias, caregiver bias, unemployment bias … It’s important to know what you’re up against as a re-entry candidate. Reframing this time away from pay as a period of “transition” (as the lovely Sonal Bahl states) is a way to give yourself permission to see a time of personal growth & development rich with ?emotional intelligence ?relevant, resume-worthy experience from unpaid volunteer work (via coaching/mentorship, PTA, faith communities, etc) and ?organically sharpened skills like time management, project management, adaptability, active listening … (to name few) Cultivating a mindset that boosts confidence lays the groundwork.

Here’s What Else to Consider: Reflect on what you've learned about yourself during those gaps. Sometimes, those periods away from the workforce offer invaluable insights into what you truly want from your career. Use this knowledge to target your job search more effectively, seeking out roles and companies that align with your values and aspirations. Remember, the right fit is out there, and your unique journey, including those gaps, has prepared you for it.

I will have to write it in my cover letter not in my resume because my resume must not contain any gaps And I can write for you with a cover if you are interested, kindly message me now. Best regards Ruth Omowumi ajagbe