How to Handle a Resume "Gap"

By: Kandice Thorn

One thing that you will hear time and time again about resumes is that you should not have any "gaps."  A gap on your resume is a period of time when you were not in school pursuing a degree and were not employed.  Basically, it's a period of unemployment.  In this post, I will tell you how to address resume considerations if you are currently in a period of unemployment, and also how to address a past period of unemployment.


A Resume Gap if You are Presently Unemployed

Employers tend to be biased toward hiring people who are already employed.  This makes sense; the fact that someone is employed is an indicator that they are employable.  But this presents a challenge if you are unemployed for one reason or another.  Your strategy to overcome the employer's bias is twofold: (1) highlight your previous relevant experience; and (2) keep busy.

First, you must do a good job of showcasing whatever relevant experience you have for the position.  You need to woo them with your qualifications so they won't care as much about the gap.  Make sure to match your descriptions to the skills they are looking for.  Use key words from the job posting in your resume (especially those that describe concrete skills or knowledge, as opposed to soft skills like being a self-starter or a team player).  You want to show that you are a very close fit to what they are looking for.

Second, you must keep yourself busy developing your skills.  Are there relevant volunteering or freelance projects you could take on?  Are there certifications in your industry that would be helpful?  Can you find any conferences or CLE classes to attend in your field?  Make it clear that you are staying on top of current issues in the field and keeping your skills sharp.  Include many of these on your resume and your gap will seem less important.  As a bonus, doing all this will help you build your professional network and increase the likelihood of finding a job!

A Past Period of Unemployment

A past period of unemployment is easier to address than a present period of unemployment.  Past periods of unemployment tend to fade away once you have amassed enough experience after the gap.

However, your subsequent experience (after the gap) must demonstrate to the next potential employer that you are employable.  The best way to do this is to try to make sure your next position is not a short tenure (i.e., less than 2 years), which is another red flag.  If your next position is 3 years or longer, your gap will really start to fade away.  If you do end up taking a short-term or internship position after the gap, be sure that this is clear in your description.

Continuing to develop your skills can also help lessen the importance of the gap.  In your next job, you should position yourself to be an expert in your field.  Learn all you can and try to get exposure by publishing or speaking at conferences so that you can be even more valuable to the next employer. 

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There is no magic trick that can make your period of unemployment vanish in the eyes of a potential employer.  But if you use these strategies, you can lessen the importance of the gap and let your skills, qualifications, and fit for the position shine through.