So
you have a few employment gaps in your resume?
Don't fret. You're not
alone. In this economy, many conscientious
professionals experienced a layoff, firing or an
unplanned sabbatical from work.
Working moms in particular, are
extending their maternity leave to take care of
fragile newborns and rambunctious toddlers. If you find yourself struggling to
fill the gaps in your career, fill the cracks
honestly using the following strategies.
Look the recruiter straight in
the eye and tell the truth
Because hiring
managers and
recruiters are looking for the weakest candidate to
eliminate quickly, you should have a specific and
rational explanation for each gap.
Discuss experiences which focus on your employable
skills; not the illness, firing or management clash
that caused the employment gaps in the first place.
Don’t avoid the gaps in an interview. If during the interview you are asked for an
approximate time spent in your past position, don't
stretch the time to two years; if the job only
lasted one and one half.
Fill in the
cracks with years instead of
fragmented months
If your last position
spans multiple years leave off the months. The same
applies if you were in a position for less than a
year. Instead of placing the job start date as
January 2003, you would only place the year 2003
alone, to cover the gaps. The reader/interviewer can
then grasp the length of time quickly using years to
calculate the breadth of experience, while quickly
scanning the resume.
Don't neglect the
cover letter
The cover letter sets
the tone for the resume and interview. Write an Academy-award
winning cover letter backed by a solid summary of
qualifications for an irresistible first
introduction. Include in the letter a one to two
line explanation, about the gaps and emphasize that
you are enthusiastic about a return to work.
Volunteer work,
continued education and second jobs count too
Lord knows I couldn’t seal the cracks in
my resume without my volunteer gigs.
If you brushed up on your marketing,
volunteered as a technology consultant or raised
funds for an organization and this experience
relates to the current position; mention it. From
planning fundraisers to giving a talk to school aged
children, everything counts towards your work
history.
I don't know of one
employer who likes a resume filled with employment
gaps. However, you can overcome these issues with
confidence. When you've sealed the resume gaps
with results, effort and skill-based activities, you
are not in the position to
beg while interviewing;
but negotiate as an equal.
