4 Realities About Job Gaps

John Krautzel
Posted by in Career Advice


Whether you're coming off of a rough period or returning to the workforce after time away, job gaps on your professional resume can be a difficult hurdle. By facing the positive and negative realities of your situation, you can devise a strategy and get a new job in less time.

Resume Realities

The way you present job gaps on your resume can affect whether or not you get past the application stage. As a person with an inconsistent job history, your resume must be as good or better than other candidates' resumes. Choose a format that highlights your most important qualifications, such as advanced degrees, unique experiences or significant professional accomplishments. Ensure that the document is readable and typo-free, and select a simple but appealing design. If you're applying to large companies that use screening software, ensure that the text includes key words and phrases from the job description.

Potential Gap Fillers

One way to explain job gaps is to include filler activities such as volunteering, consulting and long-term travel. Tread carefully when adding these items to your professional resume. If you were out of work for six months and completed one freelance assignment, don't fill the entire gap with claims of "consulting" — when exposed, this half-truth can put you out of the running for a job. Instead, be truthful and connect your gap activities to your professional goals when possible. If you spent time volunteering, for example, focus on transferable skills such as grant writing, managing a team or organizing large-scale events.

Prepare an Explanation

No matter what the reason for your job gaps, it's crucial to prepare an explanation in advance to ensure that you're not caught off guard during job interviews. When the reason for a gap is personal, such as a family illness, keep your statement short and succinct. If you can relate the absence to your career, focus on the most compelling connections. Practice the explanation until you can deliver it quickly and with confidence. Then, come up with answers to the inevitable follow-up questions. Confidence and enthusiasm are always better than apologies and embarrassment.

Leverage Personal Connections

In some cases, there's no way to make job gaps seem like a career strategy. The reality is, if you were unemployed for a long stretch of time, or if you took several years off to focus on your kids, you're automatically at a disadvantage. This doesn't mean you'll never work again — if your resume doesn't get you in the door, you simply need to take a more personal route. Locate places where industry influencers gather: non-profit boards, volunteer organizations, small business associations and professional organizations are great places to start. Join, and put your abilities to work. If you're in marketing, revamp the group branding and put out a killer campaign. If you're an accountant, offer to manage the budget. This process is time-intensive, but it increases name recognition and gives you a strong reputation among people who can offer jobs or personal recommendations.

Job gaps can be challenging to overcome, but they don't need to mean the end of your career. With awareness and adequate preparation, you can explain gaps and convince employers that you're the best person for the job.


Photo courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Erin J thanks for your comment. It doesn't say anything about you but speaks volumes about the employment services. Have you tried to locate a recruiter that specializes in your industry? That might be the best way. For example, if I was looking for a technical writing position, I wouldn't go to an agency that specializes in clerical/administration but would look for someone who is more in a technical field. How is your job search going here @Beyond? Are you finding jobs that fit your criteria and skills? Have you set up job alerts so that you are notified as soon as new jobs are posted that match your criteria? Don't give up @Erin J. That job is just around the corner!

  • Erin J.
    Erin J.

    I have applied at 4 different emplloyment services, and I have gotten to the "sign at the bottom" phase with all of them, and then.... nothing. When I enquire about assignments, I am told they still need some type of paperwork. I have asked what they still need so I can get it for them, but they won't tell me anything. If I am a failure at temp agencies, what does that say about me?

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Marilyn S thanks for your comment. As I mentioned to @Kim Strand, you need to go through a temp agency or a recruiter. Your job gap is not uncommon - especially for women. Great that you got some education while you were unemployed. I truly would contact a temp agency and set up an appointment to go in person. Then you can sit down and explain the situation. They would have the best answer to your questions since they deal with this all of the time. Don't spend a whole lot of time stressing over this. Just write up your resume and then, in your cover letter you can mention - in one sentence - that you have a six year gap in your work history due to family issues which have now been resolved. Explain how eager you are to get back into the workforce. Then move on. But, if you have done any volunteering in those last 6 years - by all means include it on your resume. Maybe in the kids' school or in your community or your church? Always looks good.! All the best.

  • Marilyn S
    Marilyn S

    Help! I have 6 years of a job gap and I have no idea how I should fill-in the long gap? Most of it was due to spousal problem which caused me to have health issues. I did go to school for about a year and received several certificates, but that doesn't account for 6 years. Plus, I'm over 50, so that's double trouble. All advice would be very appreciated. Thank you.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Kim Strand thanks for your comment. So very true. Many of us have had to take care of family members as well as raise our own children. That is why I always try to stress using an agency to find that one gem that's out there. Temp agencies can get you into positions that you never even thought of before - or where you don't have any experience. Sounds crazy but it's so true. I went through a temp agency several years ago and was able to work on and learn Cognos - something I had wanted to do for a long time but just never had the opportunity. No I did not have any prior experience in Cognos and they knew it but I was still hired because of other positions I had in the past - and because the recruiter presented me to the client first so that they knew what they were getting. Totally recommend recruiters or an agency or both to get the job you are seeking. All the best.

  • Kim Strand
    Kim Strand

    It should be illegal and discriminatory to discriminate against a person based on job gaps. Often single people, low income people and minorities struggle with job gaps and are elminated before being interviewed. HR wonders why there aren't more minorities applying? Maybe if they stop discrimating practices they would see a more diverse job pool.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Lisa A how awesome that you were able to do that! I would just add a Volunteer section to your resume. If you can, try to use quantifiable measures for the tasks that you performed instead of just listing them down. Have you thought about looking for a position that helps our many homeless? You have the experience now - go for it.

  • Lisa A.
    Lisa A.

    I stepped away from my career for a full year to join my daughter in a backpacking journey around the world. During this journey, we volunteered around the world at refugee camps. How should I reflect this on my resume?

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Amber Schooley thanks for your comment. Years ago, job hopping and gaps in your employment would have eliminated you entirely from getting a new position. Today, not so much. Just make sure that you indicate that it's a temp/contract position through an agency. Employers realize that it's tough finding jobs out there so they are going to be more understanding about contract positions. Have you indicated to the agency that you are willing to temp but that your ultimate goal is to be hired permanently? Have you talked with a recruiter who specializes in clinical research in a healthcare setting? That might be better for you than trying to use a temp agency. Let the recruiter know that you want permanent work, Let us know how it works out.

  • Amber Schooley
    Amber Schooley

    What about short-term contract positions? I've spoken to some employers who say that the employment gaps are bad, and others who say that 2 or 3 month jobs make applicants look flighty and makes it look like they don't intend to stay. I would love to stay with a company for several years, even if it was a few years before getting a promotion. But all I have been able to find the last couple years is contract positions, the longest of which was one year. The average contract time was more like three months. Most of the time I don't even get an interview except through hiring agencies.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    Thanks for the comments. @Rachel G I totally agree that it shouldn't be held against us when we take time out to raise our children but it does. Doesn't matter whether it's the Mom or Dad who cares for the kiddos - it still goes against them. You would think that, in today's job world, employers would understand that we have gaps due to family issues, health or just because the job market was so bad that we couldn't find a job! @Alfred w it is true that gaps are held against job seekers and, more than likely, those gaps were not of the person's choosing, either. I agree that the interviewer needs to have more compassion because someday it could be them sitting on the other side of the desk! Still hope that we can get back to those caring companies sometime in the future. But, for now, sadly, it's the way things are.

  • Alfred w.
    Alfred w.

    It does amaze me in today's workforce how most companies only care about themselves. Gaps in employment are held against many people. The person or company doing the interview needs to get with reality because someday it will happen to the,

  • MILLER MARTIN
    MILLER MARTIN

    That's why you carefully plan having children. Plan to have a spouse. Make sure both spouses take responsibility in caring for the children. It's not a good idea to have children out of wed lock.

  • Rachel G.
    Rachel G.

    I want to know why it is so unprofessional to take time off to raise children? You are a teacher, nurse, manager, sterilizer, chauffer, coach, cook, entertainer, athletics teacher and ,most importantly insuring safety on all kinds of levels. Mothering small children utilizes the most diverse set of job skills of any employment that I can imagine. You have to use critical thinking skills and excellent communication style tailored to the age of the child(ren). And I was not previously an early childhood educator. Thank you for a timely answer.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Merlene A thanks for your comment and you are certainly correct - there shouldn't be a barrier. @Kathleen A sorry that you went up against that. Notice that he never said that your outfit was wrong or that you were not in shape. Many companies are looking at this now - in light of the uncertainty regarding healthcare - and are seeking healthy, fit employees because it's cheaper for them in the long run. No you probably wouldn't win a lawsuit and the City Manager can just say that you were not the most qualified person for the position. More than likely you would have a tough time finding a lawyer to take your case. It's all a matter of he said, she said. So very sorry. Wish you all the best on your next interview.

  • Kathleen A.
    Kathleen A.

    I agree, but I especially wanted to comment on the age, gender and body type. I applied for a job at Naperville PD
    I did not get the job, which was perfectly suited for. When I spoke to the City Manager he said their csn be many reasons ppl don't get a job. MAYBE IT'S THEIR OUTFIT, THEIR FITNESS. I told them I had been ill, and had a couple surgeries and Social Workers are not required to meet police physical abilities (sarcastic). I was wearing 1000.00 outfit. Very professional. What he clearly said was-you are not as fit as I am (he is), and you are too old to play with the pretty ppl. I thought about suing, but I can't win against the City of Naperville.

  • MERLENE A.
    MERLENE A.

    That shouldn't be a barrier.

  • Doyle M.
    Doyle M.

    I apologize but, that first comment is extremely difficult to follow. In my humble opinion, so ling as the individual has a good reason for the gap (returned to school full time, major illness, economic downturn, etc...), then said gap should not, in any way, be held against the applicant. Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I have two of those gaps in my job history (illness, returned to school). They do not seem to be held against me in interviews nearly as much as my gender, my age, and my body type...all three of which are most assuredly effecting my ability to find a job.

  • Steven T.
    Steven T.

    Is there a reason you are ALL CAPITALS? It is VERY hard to read.

  • JUSTICE CYNTHIA VILORIA
    JUSTICE CYNTHIA VILORIA

    EVERY INDIVIDUAL HAS A RIGHT TO REST AND HAVE A JOB GAPS IN THEIR RESUME, LIKE GIVING BIRTH, ENJOYING YOUR PENSIONS, LONG TERM DISABILITY, RETIREMENT, BEING IN POLITICAL ABDUCTION OR BEING JAIL DUE TO FABRICATED CASES, JUST HAVE AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE WILL YOU. THIS SHOULD NOT BE A GROUND TO AFFECT THE CREDIBILITY OF AN APPLICANT. MY ANALYSIS HERE IS THAT PEOPLE MANNING THE WORKPLACE RECRUITMENT ARE NOT COMPETENT AND THEY ARE FRAUD. THEY ARE AFRAID TO RETIRE FOR THEIR PENSION WHERE MISS DIRECTED AS DONATION FOR WRONG PENSION PLAN CONTRIBUTIONS OR THEY THINK THEY OWN THE COMPANY THAT WAS THERE BEFORE THEY WERE HIRED. KINDLY LOOK AT THE JOB DESCRIPTIONS , DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REQUIREMENTS, NEVER WAS JOB GAP AN IMPORTANCE, UNLESS THE RECRUITER ARE NONE QUALIFIED PEOPLE AIMING TO EXPLOIT THE YOUNG GRADUATES AND APPLICANTS BY THEM HAVING CUTS IN THE NEWLY HIRED SALARY, BONUSES, FRINGES AND ALLOWANCES WITH FULL MANIPULATIONS OF THE OVER HEAD COST PER EMPLOYEES.

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