How to Present a Job Gap in a Positive Light

How to Present a Job Gap in a Positive Light How to Present a Job Gap in a Positive Light 10 It could be that the problem is the way she presents this period of time in her resume- is it addressed at all? Trying to hide it by avoiding bringing it up is a bad idea. Is it a future employers business to know exactly why you have a gap in your resume? What about the many temporary jobs she has been doing to pay the bills while trying to find full-time work? Should this be added? Here are a few tips on how to present a job gap in your job search in a positive light! Consider a functional resume. Most employers understand that there will be recovery periods after surgery, and will appreciate the responsible behavior that makes sure you can pay bills on time with temporary positions. The functional resume is a good way to put  gaps in work history  in the best light. Consider the many options it gives you. It will help you: highlight skills and experience in a Professional Experience section list employers in reverse-chronological order in a Work History section include all volunteer experience and lessons learned during time off be prepared to answer questions about gaps during the interview Time taken to recover after major surgery means you are in good health and able to work. The temporary jobs taken during the job search prove that fact. They also show your work ethic and reliability. These are valuable assets to an employer and your resume should show it. Of course, health issues are not the only reasons for job gaps. Being let go/downsized is another reason. Add a long, drawn out job search and you might be looking at a six months or year-long job gap. Or for some clients, taking years off to stay home and raise children. We have many clients who take five, 10, even 20 years off to raise a family and are getting into the job market again. Honesty is the best policy. The bottom line is the employer or hiring person wants to know what you have been doing with your time. If you took a year-long sabbatical and traveled the world, let them know! Stayed home and raised children? Be honest about it. An easy way to do this is to simply add a sentence or two about it in your cover letter. Something like, “After taking time off to raise my children, I am eager to return to product marketing…” Short and sweet. It lets the reader know what you were doing, or what the reason of the gap was. What did you do with your time off? Volunteer at your child’s school? Think of your responsibilities during that time. You’ll be able to add that both in the cover letter and the resume. Did you take an online course while caring for an aging parent? That needs to be added as well. Start up a small business or consulting company? Use those skills to transition into your next role. What you thought was a problem in your career chronology may not be a problem at all. Use what you did during your unemployment to your advantage. Your job gap may turn out to be the thing that lands you your next job! Readers, do you have a gap in your resume? How do you present a job gap in your job search? Share with us below! Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, BS/HR, is a certified professional resume writer/career consultant, and the president of Professional Resume Services. She is a nationally published writer and contributor of 14 best-selling career books. She has achieved international recognition following yearly nominations of the prestigious T.O.R.I. (Toast of the Resume Industry) Award. members receive a special discount on Professional Resume Services!