ERIN KENNEDY<\/a><\/span>
\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|on|” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ text_font=”PT Serif||on||” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_font_size=”16″ text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”140px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”10px||60px|”]Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, CERW, CEMC, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer\/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, named one of Forbes \u201cTop 100 Career Websites\u201d.
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.0″ text_font=”PT Serif||||” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_font_size=”24″ text_line_height=”1.5em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”720px” custom_margin=”-30px||0px|||” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet”]<\/p>\nAs we are entering our second year of a global pandemic, our economy has still not returned to \u201cnormal\u201d. Many people are still out of work due to shutdowns, whether temporary or permanent, haven\u2019t been able to find work, or had to quit due to children or parents to tend to. There are other reasons people may have gaps that have nothing to do with this past year: family obligations, education, sabbatical, \u2026Whatever your reason, this leaves millions of people with employment gaps like never before. The question becomes, how do you address a gap on your resume? The good news is you are not the only one that will have this issue. However, there are ways to present this gap that can showcase your skills without shining a spotlight on being unemployed.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nAlways Be Honest<\/strong><\/p>\nYou can be creative in your explanation to present your history in the best light possible. If you have a gap of more than a few months in your work history, you can\u2019t just skip over it on your resume and hope no one will notice. Even though you were not working during that time, you might have been doing something that would look good to an employer.\u00a0 Having a big gap in work history should not negatively impact your chances of finding a job if you can make the gap look like it was not time wasted.<\/p>\n
Highlight Valuable Experiences Gained<\/strong><\/p>\nIf you were out of work due to COVID, employers are understanding of this situation. What they want to know is what you have been doing during this time. If your employment gap is due to something else, such as leaving work in order to take care of your ailing parents, or if you took two years off after the birth of your child, you could highlight the valuable experiences you gained during your time off. If you took a year or two off from a \u201creal\u201d job and spent the time wandering around Europe, describe this period as a personal sabbatical for enhancing your education and understanding of the world. List the time interval as though it was a period of employment, except that you didn\u2019t get paid for it. Many employers will not view a gap in employment negatively.<\/strong> They recognize the value of continuing education, caring for others, and personal growth experiences. They will often seek out job candidates who have something unusual to offer. By explaining your big gap in work history in the proper light, you may show the boss that you are the exact type of creative and self-motivated individual the company needs for that job you have always dreamed of. If the other job descriptions on your resume take up six lines each, devote the same space to describing your \u201cduties\u201d during your time off.\u00a0<\/p>\nFreelance or Volunteer Work<\/strong><\/p>\nOne way to ensure continuity in your career while dealing with a work history gap is to freelance. You may be able to work on projects at home while caring for a sick loved one. One example of how to list this on your resume:<\/p>\n
Freelance Pharmaceutical Project Manager<\/strong> — XYZ City, Maine 1992-1994
Provided project management for the following companies: ABC, DEF, and GHI.<\/p>\nAnother way to fill the gap between jobs is to volunteer.<\/strong> When you volunteer, you are still continuing to use skill sets you already have while also learning some new ones. List your work history first on your resume, then prominently list volunteer experience below that. You can make this volunteer experience stand out even more by placing it in a section called Related Volunteer Experience,<\/strong> which can be separate from previous volunteer experiences. You can also enhance your skills for a new position by taking online courses or getting new certifications for a new career move.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″ background_color=”#f7f7f4″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ make_equal=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px||0px|” make_fullwidth=”on” custom_width_px=”680px”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/2-scaled.jpg” alt=”job interview” title_text=”Man,Thinking,How,To,Fill,The,Gap,To,Reach,The” show_bottom_space=”off” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.9.0″ animation_direction=”off” animation=”off”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ background_color=”#efefe9″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/3-scaled.jpg” title_text=”Business,Man,Bridging,The,Gap,Between,Two,Towers,Or,Parties” show_bottom_space=”off” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.9.0″ animation_direction=”off” animation=”off”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off|off|” _builder_version=”4.9.0″ text_font=”PT Serif||||” text_text_color=”#818178″ text_font_size=”24″ text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”9%|10%||10%||” custom_margin_tablet=”|10%||10%” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone”]<\/p>\n
There are ways to present this gap that can showcase your skills without shining a spotlight on being unemployed.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”4″ column_padding_mobile=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”1200px” custom_margin=”-1px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”20px||0px|” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|||” custom_padding_phone=”” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”1200px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.0″ text_font=”PT Serif||||” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_font_size=”20″ text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”-7px||0px|||” custom_margin_tablet=”40px||0px|” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”0px|||||” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet”]<\/p>\n
Resume Format: Chronological vs. Functional<\/strong><\/p>\nNo matter the reason,\u00a0it’s best to use a resume format that will highlight your skills and downplay these gaps. Remember that just because you were not officially working, it doesn’t mean that you were idle and learning nothing. You want to play up these points as much as possible without focusing on the periods when you were not employed.<\/p>\n
A functional resume will help you to minimize work history gaps<\/strong><\/p>\nCreating a functional resume reorganizes your career information into a skills summary or list of keywords that describe your skill sets. A\u00a0Professional Experience section divided into a few main areas of expertise will emphasize your experience while a reverse chronological Work History section merely lists your employers, the cities in which they are located, and dates of employment. Emphasis is placed on your skill sets and experience instead of dates of employment.<\/p>\n
A closely related issue is where someone has had many jobs in a short period of time. This can make a candidate look unreliable when printed on a resume. Again, a resume that highlights skills over chronological employment is normally the best fit. It’s not uncommon for freelancers, technical support personnel, and other contract workers to have been contracted by\u00a0several employers during a short period of time. What is important is making sure that your resume shows the expertise and skills you learned, as well as what accomplishments you’ve\u00a0achieved in each job.<\/p>\n
You\u00a0could still choose to use the common chronological resume format for your resume<\/strong>, and just list why you were out of work for a certain period. Many people do this when taking care of a sick loved one. However, many people are not comfortable giving out such personal information on their resume. If this is your situation, simply build your resume with the work information you have and be prepared to discuss gaps in employment during your interview.<\/p>\nDiscuss Gaps in the Cover Letter<\/strong><\/p>\nIt is better to be upfront and honest with potential employers when describing your background. If you have one or more big gaps in employment that were due to circumstances that an employer might see as negative, it is better to explain those circumstances fully in your cover letter when applying for a job. If you spent time in prison or drug rehab, it is better for you to explain what valuable lessons you learned from the experience in your job application process, than it is to hide the truth and hope your potential employer doesn\u2019t discover it in a background check.<\/p>\n
The best resume writers will focus the\u00a0reader on\u00a0a candidate’s skills and expertise, to the point that gaps and\/or short contract jobs become a non-issue. If you are writing your own resume, you need to do the same. If you are having your resume professionally created, discuss the matter thoroughly with the writer and make sure that the best possible version of\u00a0YOU shines through in the final product.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″ custom_padding=”19px|0px|24.625px|0px” global_module=”37900″][et_pb_row column_padding_mobile=”on” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”780px” custom_padding=”0px|0px|73.90625px|0px” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”780px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ text_font=”PT Serif||||” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_font_size=”36″ text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||70px|” text_font_size_tablet=”26″ text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet”] Want new articles before they get published? Subscribe to our Awesome Newsletter. [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_signup provider=”constant_contact” constant_contact_list=”mhurwitz321|2103394019″ layout=”bottom_top” first_name_fullwidth=”off” last_name_field=”off” email_fullwidth=”off” success_message=”Thank you for subscribing!” button_text=”Submit” use_spam_service=”on” recaptcha_list=”CIG|CIG-0″ _builder_version=”4.9.0″ _module_preset=”default” form_field_background_color=”#ffffff” form_field_text_color=”#000000″ form_field_custom_margin=”1px||1px||false|false” form_field_custom_padding=”12px|12px|12px|12px|false|false” result_message_text_color=”#0C71C3″ result_message_font_size=”25px” result_message_letter_spacing=”1px” result_message_line_height=”1.1em” form_field_text_align=”justify” form_field_font_size=”16px” form_field_line_height=”1.8em” background_enable_color=”off” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#02b875″ border_radii_fields=”on|0px|0px|0px|0px” border_width_all_fields=”1px” border_color_all_fields=”#c6c6c6″][\/et_pb_signup][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″ background_color=”#222222″ custom_padding=”78px||78px|”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ padding_mobile=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on” module_class=”border-hover et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_color=”#f5f5f5″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” make_fullwidth=”on”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/typing.jpg” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.23″ animation=”off” sticky=”on”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_cta title=”CAREER ADVICE” button_url=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/gov-talk\/career-advice\/” button_text=”CAREER ADVICE” _builder_version=”3.16″ header_font_size=”30px” body_font_size=”20px” use_background_color=”off” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off”]Advice from top Career specialists
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