So, you’ve got a considerable gap on your resume.
There are plenty of reasons that you may have a gap in your resume. Maybe you took time off because you recently had a child. Others take time off to care for sick relatives or use a hiatus to go back to school.
Regardless of if you left the workforce by choice or you faced unexpected unemployment, you should know how to explain it in an interview.
The best way to explain any gap in employment depends on the situation. Keep reading to learn more about employment gaps and when to include them on your resume.
Including Employment Gaps on a Resume: What to Know
Is it OK to Have a Gap in Your Resume?
When putting together your resume, you might ask yourself: is it OK for me to include an employment gap?
The simple answer to this question is: yes. Generally, you aren’t required to include your complete employment history on your resume. This tip is especially true for any older workers who are reworking their resume.
Let’s say you were unemployed for a few months in 2018 and didn’t get another job until 2019. The period that you were unemployed in 2018 would be considered an employment gap.
Thankfully, you don’t have to be proactive in calling out this gap on your resume. But how should you approach explaining this gap to a hiring manager?
Keep reading to learn how to explain employment gaps to a hiring manager and ace your interview.
Tips on How to Explain Employment Gaps to a Hiring Manager
Be honest about employment gaps on a resume
When you are writing your resume, you should always be honest! A hiring manager will verify your resume’s work history during the hiring process and quickly discover if you’ve lied. Plus, the consequences of lying on your resume are never worth it.
It may seem tempting to change dates on your resume to cover up an employment gap, but it is always a bad idea. The best approach is to remain honest and, if necessary, mention any recent employment gaps. Plus, an employer is likely to recognize the confidence and courage it takes to share unemployment history.
Find value in the gap
No matter why you have a gap in employment, you should convey confidence in an interview. If a hiring manager does ask you about a gap in your resume, give them an honest explanation. If you took time off to return to school or raise a child, say that.
Your hiring manager won’t need to know everything about this gap. However, there are plenty of ways to find some value you gained during that time.
Let’s say you have a recent gap in employment because your last job had a series of layoffs. When asked about this gap, be honest about why the gap exists. Then, take some time to share how you benefited from the time off. Mention any relevant skills you might have gained during this time. Maybe you attended a few workshops, classes, or even conferences during your employment gap. Presenting this can help highlight how you’ve continued your professional growth throughout this employment gap.
Are you looking to jump back into the workforce with the best career?
Submit your resume to BestCompaniesAZ today and check out our list of the best employers in Arizona!
