Tips for Filling Gaps in Your Employment Resume

Create a Timeline

When you’re writing up your employment resume, it can be difficult to figure out how to explain gaps in your work history. The best way to do this is to create a timeline of your employment history. This will help you to see just how long the gaps are and how much time you need to explain. This timeline should include job titles, dates, and any other relevant information.

Explain the Gaps

Once you have a timeline of your employment history, you should explain the gaps in your resume. This can be done in several ways, depending on the reasons for the gap. If the gap was due to you taking time off for personal reasons or to care for a family member, be honest about it and explain it in the resume. You could also explain any gaps that were due to job searching, or if you took a break to go back to school.

Highlight Any Accomplishments During the Gaps

If you had any accomplishments during the gaps in your employment history, be sure to highlight them in the resume. This could include any volunteer work, freelance projects, or even taking classes. These are all great ways to show that you stayed productive and active during the gap.

Include Any Relevant Skills

In addition to explaining the gap in your employment history, you should also include any relevant skills you acquired during this time. This could include any certifications, seminars, or workshops you attended. You should also include any new skills or technologies you learned or used during the gap.

Focus on Your Strengths

When you’re writing your resume, it’s important to focus on your strengths and not your weaknesses. Don’t dwell too much on the gap in your employment history and instead focus on the skills and experiences you have that make you a great candidate. Highlight any accomplishments you achieved during the gap and let the hiring manager know that you’re the right person for the job.

Emphasize Your Relevancy

When you’re trying to explain the gap in your employment history, it’s important to emphasize your relevancy to the job. Explain how your skills and experiences can help you in the role and make sure to highlight any recent achievements that are relevant to the job.

Keep it Brief

When you’re explaining the gaps in your employment history, it’s important to keep it brief. Don’t get into too much detail and instead focus on the relevant information. The hiring manager doesn’t need to know the exact reason for the gap and it’s best to be as concise as possible.

Conclusion

Explaining gaps in your employment history can be difficult but it’s important to be honest and explain the gap in the resume. Be sure to highlight any relevant skills you acquired during the gap and emphasize your relevancy to the job. Keep it brief and focus on your strengths to make sure the hiring manager sees you as the right person for the job.