{"id":218,"date":"2010-08-16T12:02:26","date_gmt":"2010-08-16T18:02:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vertex42.com\/?p=218"},"modified":"2021-10-29T22:51:26","modified_gmt":"2021-10-30T04:51:26","slug":"employment-gaps-on-resume","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vertex42.com\/blog\/life\/employment\/employment-gaps-on-resume.html","title":{"rendered":"How Do I Handle Unemployment on a Resume?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you sitting at the computer ready to create the stellar resume, yet scratching your head figuring out what to do with burdensome employment gaps<\/strong>? Life is stressful enough without worrying about how to explain that time of unemployment to the interviewer. \u00a0The current economy doesn\u2019t help matters, either.<\/p>\n

A few missing weeks, months or even years in the job chronology\u00a0can be enough to keep some up at night. The reasons for employment gaps vary<\/strong>. Valid reasons like death, illness, children and newborns, travel, layoffs, personal care or education can be factors. Incarceration and other more severe problems can be more challenging to explain. And let\u2019s be honest, some choose to remain jobless. \u00a0As comic Leslie Nielsen observed \u201cDoing nothing is very hard to do\u2026you never know when you\u2019re finished.\u201d \u00a0But more than worrying about the gaps, I would recommend coming up with a strategic plan to make yourself a marketable candidate and reduce concern from potential employers<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Whatever the case may be, you\u2019re in your present predicament and it doesn\u2019t need to stop you. Yes, employment gaps can stand out to job recruiters, but don\u2019t let that be an excuse for failure.\u00a0It\u2019s better to be honest with yourself and accept this reality, even if it means not getting the job. Never resort to lying, that doesn\u2019t help you or show respect to the person taking the time to interview you. Take courage and do the best you can.<\/p>\n

First, decide what type<\/strong> of resume<\/strong> you want to use. The most traditional is the Chronological Resume<\/strong><\/a>. This format may not be appropriate for those who have severe employment gaps\u00a0or completely changing careers. You want to minimize any potential red flags recruiters notice due to employment gaps. Although you don\u2019t want to be dishonest about your unemployment, you want to avoid emphasis as well. You can demonstrate the ways you will benefit the company using a Functional Resume<\/strong><\/a>. The Functional resume will give more emphasis to your skills, strengths, education (if applicable) and some major accomplishments. Understand that some recruiters are biased against the functional resume and will pass your resume by, but you could have other opportunities.<\/p>\n

Use the time of unemployment to your advantage, rather than a handicap. Think of skills you developed or activities you participated in during unemployment that could strengthen your chances of getting a job. If you stayed home to have a baby and raise children, you could emphasize the responsibilities of supervising young children. If you were forced into retirement through layoffs you can demonstrate your ability of self initiative and need for little supervision by stating that you immediately went to work looking for a new job and the resources and tools you used to do so. If incarceration was the culprit (no pun intended), this will be more challenging, but show the recruiters in a sincere way the steps you\u2019ve taken to learn from the error. If you haven\u2019t been involved in anything during your unemployment, change that now!<\/p>\n

I wouldn\u2019t bother adding short periods of unemployment. Most of the time employers don\u2019t look down if the time has been brief or a while ago. You may be required to answer for longer periods. You may even want to address the issue in the form of a cover letter. Just include essential details; You can discuss further if brought up in the interview.<\/p>\n

Remember the importance of self confidence when dealing with this. You don\u2019t need to be proud of unemployment, but don\u2019t let it be the thing that holds you back from getting a job if you can help it. \u00a0Show that you have confidence in your abilities, that you are the right person for the job. Whether your unemployment was a choice or a mistake, show sincerity and ability in your possible future role!<\/p>\n

Take the personal initiative to show your skills and talents in your resume, be prepared to explain employment gaps and don\u2019t be deceitful with the information you put on your resume. Happy hunting!<\/p>\n

References:<\/h4>\n