Have a gap in your work experience? It’s more common than you may think.
Many people take a sabbatical at some point in their career for various reasons. Maybe you moved, went back to school, job loss, started a family, or just needed a break.
Whatever the reason, having a gap on your resume doesn’t mean you can’t find a job and reenter the workforce.
Here’s everything you need to know about how to overcome a gap in your work experience.
Be Honest and Vulnerable
They say honesty is the best policy, and it certainly applies here. Be prepared to speak to why you had a gap. Depending on your reason for taking a break in your career, explaining the gap to a potential employer may be uncomfortable.
You can overcome this discomfort by being totally honest and preparing for the question ahead of time. Chances are, if you have a gap on your resume, someone will ask about it so don’t let it come as a surprise.
In fact, you may be surprised at how a hiring manager reacts to your blunt honesty about your situation. It’s a great opportunity to demonstrate your character in an interview, so use it to your advantage.
Some examples you can use in an interview:
- I took some time off to stay home with the kids and am ready to reenter the workforce with my full energy
- I was laid off from my last role, and toko the opportunity to reevaluate what I wanted in a new role
- I am proud of the quality of work in my last role, but I realized it wasn’t the work I wanted to be doing long-term. I took time off to think about my next career move.
Your cover letter is also a great place to explain the gap in your experience.
And remember – resume gaps do not define you, and they aren’t’ necessarily bad. Whatever your reason for taking a break in your career, own it!
Fill the Gap
If you don’t like your reasoning for the gap on your resume, you can work to fill it.
How did you use your time off? Did you volunteer? Care for someone? Start a business?
You can add these experiences to your resume, just like you would any other job. While it’s certain you’ll still be asked about it, it’s a good way to make your resume look cohesive and give you something to talk about during an interview.
Remove Short-Lived Gigs
A gap on your resume isn’t necessarily a red flag, but a gap combined with a bunch of short-lived jobs is.
If you have a choppy resume, hiring managers can’t help but wonder if there is something you aren’t’ telling them. Even though you very well could have left each role for a good reason, it’s going to be challenging to get a foot in the door with a lot of resume breaks.
So, if you have any roles you were at for less than a year, consider removing them from your resume. While some of the skills you learned on the job may be valuable, it can be more distracting than anything.
Start a Side Business
If you have a side business, you can easily bridge the gap on your resume.
Starting a business is the perfect excuse for a gap on your resume. Better yet, if you find yourself taking a break in your career because you feel burnout, starting a business might be the refresh you need.
There are thousands of side businesses you can start, and many of them can be started from your own laptop. As an additional plus, having a side business means you always have something to fill a gap on your resume, so you never have to worry about it again in the future.
Keep Your Skills Up to Date
Lastly, if you are currently taking a gap or you plan to, it’s essential to keep your skills up-to-date.
Stay abreast of any trends and changes in your industry, and consider taking courses in your free time to ensure you aren’t getting rusty. That way, you can rest assured no hiring manager will question if your skills are still relevant.
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Is true is something that people usually Hide, I had some gap times but I used time without work to learn new skills…however honest is best policy!!!