employment gaps

When it comes to crafting the perfect resume (which, let’s be honest, there’s no such thing as a “perfect resume”), one of the trickiest challenges for many professionals is addressing their employment gaps. Life happens—whether it’s due to layoffs, career changes, caregiving responsibilities, or even a much-needed sabbatical, gaps in work history are more common than you might think. But when it’s time to update your resume, those gaps can feel like glaring obstacles.

The good news? With a thoughtful approach, you can minimize the appearance of these gaps and keep the focus on your skills, experiences, and potential when reaching out to potential employers.

Here’s how to tackle employment gaps in a way that puts your strengths front and center.

Reframe the Narrative

First, it’s important to remember that employment gaps are not a career-killer. Many people have them, and hiring managers are more understanding of them now than ever before. A gap isn’t just an absence of work—it can represent a period of growth, learning, or transition. When thinking about these periods, focus on ways you stayed engaged or continued developing yourself, even if it wasn’t through traditional employment.

Highlight Non-Traditional Experiences

Even during a career pause, there are countless opportunities to build skills and gain valuable experience. Here are a few examples of what you can include in your resume to sort of “fill” those gaps:

• Volunteer Work: If you devoted time to volunteering for a cause or organization, include it on your resume. Highlight the transferable skills you gained, like leadership, project management, or teamwork.
• Freelance or Contract Work: Even occasional freelance projects count as work experience. List these engagements just as you would a full-time role, emphasizing your achievements.
• Continuing Education and Certifications: Taking online courses, earning certifications, or pursuing a degree demonstrates initiative and a commitment to professional growth. Make an Education or Certifications section to showcase these accomplishments.
• Personal Projects: Did you start a blog, manage a side hustle, or complete a creative project during your gap? These showcase dedication, self-discipline, and a passion for learning.

Adjust Your Resume Format

A traditional chronological resume might emphasize employment gaps more than you’d like. Consider alternative formats if they better tell your story, such as:

• Functional Resumes: Focus on skills and achievements rather than specific job titles or dates. This can help highlight your qualifications and downplay timelines.
• Combination Resumes: Blend elements of a skills-focused resume with a chronological format, putting key skills and accomplishments front and center before outlining your work history.

If you stick with a chronological format, be sure to explain the gap briefly in your cover letter so recruiters don’t need to fill in the blanks themselves.

Be Honest but Positive

If you’re asked about gaps in your history, honesty is crucial. However, how you approach the explanation matters just as much. Frame the period positively—focus on what you learned, how you grew, and how the experience makes you a stronger candidate. For instance, instead of saying, “I left my job and stayed unemployed for a year,” say, “During this time, I focused on professional development by completing certification programs and volunteering in my local community.” This approach shows accountability, resourcefulness, and a forward-looking mindset.

Keep the Spotlight on Your Strengths

It’s easy to panic over what you think your resume might be missing, but don’t forget that the resume itself is a tool to highlight your value. Whether you’re showcasing your achievements in previous roles or demonstrating the skills you developed during a gap, make sure your resume is a confident reflection of the professional you are today–not on what you didn’t do, or for how long you didn’t do it.

Need Support? Let’s Work Together

Addressing employment gaps can feel daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone. A polished, thoughtful resume is your ticket to standing out, and I’d love to help you craft yours. Whether it’s reworking your format, refining your wording, or addressing tricky gaps, I’m here to guide you every step of the way. And of course, optimizing your resume is just one aspect of landing the job you want; we can talk about a variety of other strategies to help you get where you want to go. To get started for free, just schedule yourself some time on my calendar.