4 ways you can explain employment gaps due to Covid-19

When building a resume, the ideal situation is for the employment history to be continuous, with no employment gaps to show. But today, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, that is not the case, and for many jobseekers, that gap is completely out of their control. For most employers, a gap in employment raises new questions and can have an impact on their view of your viability for any position, although recruiters no longer see an employment gap as the red flag it used to be.

But if you have found yourself with a gap, whether from a company closing, downsizing in the pandemic or any other reason, it doesn’t have to be a problem, as long as you clearly explain the reason behind it.

Here are a few strategies you can employ to boost your chances of finding your next job – despite the employment gap.

1. Be honest on your resume

If you are looking for work and are currently unemployed due to Covid-19, one of the best ways to deal with it is to be completely upfront about the situation in your resume. While employment gaps can hurt you with some employers, not being honest will definitely be worse, so update your CV.?

This means your employment history. It can be tempting to leave your last job as ‘to present’ on your resume to avoid having a gap, but it is much better, to be honest. Put the date of leaving in the resume employment list. It is important to explain why you left, though, and in the description for that job, you should include an explanation.

“I left this position as the business closed due to the pandemic” is one way. “The company shed 60% of its workforce as a result of the pandemic, and unfortunately I was included in those redundancies” is another. You don’t have to complicate it, just set out the facts.

It is a situation that every employer knows is not your fault, and it is much better to be open about that. You can find several sample resumes with gaps in employment on the internet for free to help you, but this is a situation where simply being honest really is the best policy.

2. Highlight the positives rather than dwell on the negatives

Having made it clear on your resume that you lost a position due to the pandemic, you have acknowledged the issue of the employment gap and explained it in a way employers will understand is valid. But you can do more, by highlighting your achievements before being let go you are giving the recruiter something positive to think about, rather than a negative which, despite reasonable explanations, losing a job will always be.

In your employment history, within the job description, you could add something like this:

" I lost the job in April 2020 as a result of the ongoing pandemic crisis, which left the business with little to no income. During my time at XXX, I delivered a 12% growth in sales and launched several new initiatives that increased productivity by 8%, saving the company money while improving output."

Whatever the job, whatever the industry, you will be able to find something positive to add beyond why you were let go. By adding it after, you leave the reader with a positive impression, rather than a negative one about leaving the position.

3. Use a cover letter to provide details

While it is important to set out the situation honestly on a resume, as it is likely the first thing an employer or recruiter will look at, you can use a cover letter to add more detail. Here you can not only mention the employment gap itself but expand on the situation. If a company let a large percentage of staff go, how did they choose? If it was on the length of service, for instance, you can include that in a cover letter.

There are two approaches to writing this, you can lead with the employment gap, and explain why you were let go due to the pandemic, or you can add it at the end. Whichever you choose, an employment gap explanation letter sample may look like this.

“After building my career in hospitality management, I am currently in transition due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. As you are probably aware, the hospitality industry was hit particularly hard by the pandemic, and as a result, the company I was working for was forced to close, leaving me without work. I am excited to be able to transfer my extensive skill set to new opportunities and know that I can be a valuable asset for your company.”??

If you are just starting out in your career, as a recent graduate or immigrant, for instance, you could say, “Entering the job market in 2020 has been extremely difficult. With most companies letting staff go or closing completely, opportunities for employment have been scarce. However, I have remained focussed and continue to seek out employment throughout.”

4. Talk about new skills, courses or accomplishments?

If you have used your time during the pandemic to retrain, learn a new skill or gain experience in another way, such as volunteering, don’t be afraid to say so. This applies even if the new skills are not necessarily applicable to the needs of the job you are applying for. If you learned to play the guitar, took an academic course to add to your skillset, just include it. It is a talking point, a way to show you used your time productively despite a setback and is likely to be seen as a positive.?

You can include this in your cover letter too, with an employment gap explanation letter sample such as this:

“With so many left without jobs during the pandemic, finding a new position has been difficult, however, while I continue to apply for suitable jobs to restart my career, I have kept myself active and busy by helping at the local food bank and learning to play the guitar. The volunteer work has given me a new perspective on my own challenges while learning a new skill has kept my mind focused.”

If you have taken an academic course or sought to improve your work skills, here is another example.

“After struggling to find new job opportunities during the pandemic, I didn’t want to waste the time I have available, so I sought out an online course in XXXX. Completing that has been a rewarding experience, but also gave me a new understanding and improved my skills within the context of my career too. In this way, despite the problems, I believe I have come out of the pandemic in a better position than when it started.”

Conclusion

When thinking about a question such as how you explain the gap in employment, acknowledging the gap is there and being upfront about it are at the heart of the answer. Employers and recruiters know that 2020 has caused immense problems across almost every industry and will understand the situation if it is explained. However, trying to pretend it hasn’t happened or complicating the issue is almost guaranteed to make it into a bigger problem.?

We’ve talked mainly about your resume and cover letter, as they can be tailored to individual job opportunities, but don’t forget LinkedIn. It is an important part of your overall strategy for career building, and keeping it updated with new qualifications, and explaining employment gaps in the same way you can with your resume, is essential.?

If you need assistance in ensuring your resume and cover letter present your career in the most effective way possible, get in touch today and let our experts guide you to the perfect resume to secure your career goals.