5 Resume Hacks For The Long-Term Unemployed

It's a sad but true fact that employers, on the whole, tend to prefer to hire people who already have a job. If that isn't possible, their goal is to hire a person who has been out of work for the least amount of time. It might not seem fair, and in their defense, they may not even consciously be discriminating against the long-term unemployed. They just want to hire the best person for the job and is only human to assume that the best person is going to be in demand.

For these employers, seeing a large gap in employment history is a red flag that the applicant is desperate for any job and must have serious flaws. Otherwise, they would have found a job already. Although this logic might have worked a decade ago, these days, even the best and the brightest are finding themselves out of work. With cutbacks, downsizing and lay-offs, being out of work happens to the best of us.

If you've been out of work for longer than 3 months, you might have seen this type of unemployed discrimination in action. If so, don't worry, there are a few thing you can do to minimize the stigma and increase your chances of getting the job.

Here are 5 resume hacks for the long-term unemployed:

Customize your resume for the job - If you are applying for a job in a certain industry, make a resume that is just for those types of jobs. This means that you only list your relevant work experience. By using a customized resume, you avoid giving too much information about jobs that don't have anything to do with the job you want and an extra bonus is that a gap in employment won't be as glaringly obvious.

Include volunteer work - When listing your relevant job experience, always add in any volunteer work you have done. Be sure to make it clear that it was unpaid, but list it the same way that you would with paid experience. If you don't have any volunteer experience, then get some. When you have been out of work for a long time, an employer is going to want to know what you have been doing with your time. Volunteering shows that you are still being productive while you look for the right job for you.

Add in education - Be sure to mention all of your educational experience and also mention any classes you are currently taking. Again, if you haven't freshened up your skill set, this is a good time to do it. You don't have to go back to school full-time, but even taking one or two classes that relate to your desired job can be a great way to make yourself more hirable and at the same time, it gives you a valid reason for taking your time looking for a job.

Don't try to hide it - Whatever you do, don't try to leave off dates or make it obvious that you are trying to hide your unemployment. These tricks are easy for a seasoned hiring manager to spot and they will only make you look less than honest. If an interviewer asks you about your lapse in employment, let them know that you are taking your time and looking for the right opportunity for you. Point to your education goals and volunteer work as your reason for taking it slow.

Include any freelance work - Be sure to include any freelance work you are doing, even if it doesn't relate to the job you are applying for. If you have been chasing your passion while you have been out of work, mention it. It will show that you are determined and productive.

The most important thing you can do when you've been out of work for a long period of time is to show that you are keeping your skills sharp, are being productive and that you are still working toward your goals. If you don't mention any of these things, it will look like you are just sitting around all day, devoting all of your time toward your job search and not being successful at it. Instead of letting an employer draw their own conclusions, these tips will help you paint the portrait of a self-assured, capable employee.