A gap in your resume is often seen as a red flag by most potential employers, raising questions about why you weren’t working, and if your skills and knowledge remain up-to-date as a result of the gap.
While such gaps are certainly something to be worried about, they are rarely ever dealbreakers all by themselves, and with the right steps and approach, they needn’t be anything more than a minor triviality in the recruiting process.
Work gaps are certainly not uncommon, and millions of professionals take a break for a number of perfectly valid reasons, such as family responsibilities, health issues, education, and more. It only matters how you address the issue, and quell any and all doubts that recruiters may harbor.
An impactful resume is a start, but there are a great deal of other things to consider to complement the same. In this article, we take a look at a few practical steps you can take to increase your chances of getting hired, if you have work gaps in your resume.
1. Be Honest & Upfront
In situations like these, the biggest mistake one can make is trying to spin tales, or divert and deflect from the issue at hand. By clearly and honestly explaining the reasons for the gap in a positive and professional manner, you give very little to doubt for recruiters.
The way you do this can not only help you overcome this issue, but even make an unforgettable impression on the recruiters.
Most experts suggest discussing the experience you’ve had during the course of the gap years in a positive manner. For example, if you were sick at the time, you can mention that you developed patience, empathy, and new found appreciation for life, as a result of the same.
2. Highlight Relevant Experiences
When you’re at a disadvantage in certain aspects of your resume, make sure to highlight and bolster other aspects that might be relevant to the position.
Applicants in such situations should ideally strive hard to present themselves in a good light, making use of a resume builder with a professional style and template. Such services feature a host of different templates, tailored according to best practices, so all you’ll have to do is fill-in the details.
Even with this, however, you will have to make certain judgment calls, and brainstorm quite a bit when it comes to presenting the perfect picture of your skills and experience.
3. Prove Current Knowledge & Skills
A key concern for recruiters when considering candidates with extended gaps, is their lack of current industry knowledge and skills in their respective fields. Given how quickly technology moves, a hiatus of even a few months is a little too much, and a genuine cause for concern.
As a result, it is crucial to demonstrate that you’ve been keeping up with your profession, and the broader industry even while you’ve been away.
This can be done by showcasing courses you’ve taken during this time period, any conferences or conventions you’ve attended, among other things. Whatever it might be, it has to be included in your resume, and a key talking point while discussing the gap in your work experience.
4. Explain Transferable Skills
Even if you haven’t been working in your respective field during the time in question, there are chances that you acquired certain skills that are transferable to the role you are applying for.
For example, if you’ve been a stay-at-home parent all these years, discuss skills such as patience, multitasking, and time management that you’ve acquired, and how they can add value to your professional life once you rejoin the workforce.
This is rather tricky, and shouldn’t come across as trivial, so make sure to choose your skills, examples, and talking points wisely.
Final Words
In conclusion, work gaps can be challenging, but they need not be a barrier or a death sentence for an otherwise promising career. By taking the right steps and approaches, these challenges can be overcome, and you can get started exactly where you left off in the past.
