How to Address Gaps in Your Resume

Today, we're going to tackle a subject that's been a thorn in the side of job seekers everywhere: addressing gaps in your employment history on your resume and cover letter.

Let's face it; life happens. There are countless reasons why someone might have a gap in their employment history, from taking time off to travel, going back to school, dealing with a family emergency, or even experiencing a global pandemic (looking at you, 2020).

So, if you have a gap in your employment history, first things first: don’t panic. It's more common than you might think, and it’s totally possible to address it in a way that won’t torpedo your chances of landing that dream job.

Step 1: Be Honest

The first rule of thumb is to be honest about the gaps in your employment history. Don’t try to fudge the dates of your previous jobs to make the gap seem smaller or non-existent. Most employers will conduct a background check, and if they find out that you lied on your resume, it’s game over.

Remember that everyone, including hiring managers, understands that life is unpredictable. It's how you handle these gaps that will set you apart.

Step 2: Use Your Cover Letter

Your cover letter is the perfect place to address any gaps in your employment history. In a previous blog, we broke down the process of creating a compelling cover letter using ChatGPT. One of the key steps in this process is to ‘Showcase Your Matching Skills and Experiences.’ Here, you can briefly explain the reason for the employment gap and highlight what you did during that time that makes you a strong candidate for the job you're applying for.

Important: If you need to prime ChatGPT with your resume and the job you want check out this blog: [insert link]

[THOUGHT] I need to address the gap in my employment history in my cover letter. 
[ACT] Write a paragraph explaining the gap in my employment history in a positive light, focusing on the skills and experiences I gained during that time. Ask me any questions needed to write this.

[THOUGHT] I need to format my resume in the right way to highlight the positives.
[ACT] Ask me to share my resume after we finish my cover letter so you can review my resume with this thought in mind.        

Step 3: Focus on the Positive

When explaining the gap in your employment history, focus on the positive. Talk about what you learned and how you grew during this time. Did you take any courses or gain new certifications? Did you do any freelance work or volunteer? Did you develop any new skills or hobbies that are relevant to the job you're applying for?

For example, if you took a year off to travel, you could talk about how this experience improved your communication, organization, and problem-solving skills. If you took time off to care for a sick family member, you could highlight your time management, empathy, and resilience.

Step 4: Prepare for the Interview

Finally, be prepared to discuss the gap in your employment history during the interview. Practice your response so you can address it confidently and concisely. Remember to focus on the positive and highlight how the experiences you had during this time make you a better candidate for the job.

Wrapping Up

Having a gap in your employment history is not the end of the world. Remember to be honest, address the gap in your cover letter, focus on the positive, and prepare for the interview. And remember, your unique experiences and the skills you've developed along the way make you who you are—a strong candidate for the job.

Until next time, happy job hunting! And remember, if you need a bit of help along the way, I'm here to assist.

~Bethany