Should I Be Explaining the Gaps in My Resume?

Resume gaps can give hiring managers a negative first impression of you, ending your chance to land a position before you've even had the opportunity to present yourself. Instead of attempting to explain these gaps away, focus on your experience and skills, even if they weren't acquired at a traditional job.

While you should never lie on a resume or during an interview, there are ways to highlight your past experience while diverting attention away from potential resume gaps. One way of doing this is to emphasize skills you've gained during your time away from employment. Don't downplay your accomplishments just because they didn't take place in an office.

For instance, a stay-at-home mom often manages many aspects of a household, such as procurement, logistics and budgeting. Someone who takes time off to care for a sick parent may become extremely proficient at handling crises or high stress situations. Carefully think about all the things you've been doing during your employment gap, and jot down the skills you've learned as a result. Then include those skills in your resume.

Another way to minimize the impact of resume gaps is to not list jobs or achievements in chronological order. Instead, organize the top half of your resume around your skills and experience, and list past employers toward the bottom. You do not have to include exact dates with each employer. If you find it challenging to do this, consider hiring a resume writer to help you with the rewrite.

If you do include dates on your resume, be honest about them. Make sure they match the dates listed on your social media profiles. Many employers check sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook to gain additional information about applicants, and they will notice discrepancies.

Don't be afraid to list volunteer and pro-bono work where resume gaps would be. Unless you are asked directly, you don't have to mention whether a position was paid. If you gained valuable skills performing in an unpaid role, then it is worth listing. Church and school activities may also be worth adding, regardless of whether you were a helper or student. Sometimes these experiences are more valuable and relevant than those from previous paid positions. For example, a volunteer position in your desired industry offers greater value than an unskilled job that includes a paycheck.

If you are asked directly about your resume gaps, be honest. Tell the hiring manager what you were doing during the gaps. You don't have to provide every detail. A short answer will do. Then redirect the conversation to all the valuable experience you gained during your employment gap and how it is relevant to your desired position.

Not all potential employers will be understanding of your resume gaps. Luckily, many hiring managers are becoming more open minded as former stay-at-home moms and laid-off former employees are re-entering the workforce. Stay positive, highlight your experience in an appealing way, and keep applying. With persistence and the right attitude, you will find someone who appreciates all you have to offer.

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