Compensating For Gaps in Employment

How do you compensate on your resume for aexplain the reasons for the lapse in employment.
gap in employment? Naturally hiring managersAt that time you will be able to sell yourself and
want to see consistency; they want to see ademonstrate why you are right for the job.
professional history that does not contain gaps.Use the Cover: This is a perfect example of why
Things happen though; there are personal anda cover letter is important. A cover letter will
professional situations that sometimes come up -allow you to explain a gap. This is not something
things that are beyond your control. So, what dothat can be done on the resume; but the cover
you do if you have a gap on the resume? Youletter is the ideal place to help the reader
probably won't have the opportunity to explain it,understand that you took time off to manage a
especially if you have applied online or arepersonal matter or spent time writing a book.
submitting career documents via web-based orMake sure you tie the information to how you will
other anonymous means. How do you presentapply lessons learned in a new professional
yourself in a compelling manner even with theenvironment. Your explanation can be brief; the
gap?cover will enable you to quickly provide a plausible
Use a Hybrid Resume Style: A hybrid resumeexplanation.
style is particularly effective because it will allowOmit One or More Jobs: Depending upon how long
you to bring relevant and results oriented data toyou have been in the workplace you don't
the top of the document. For example, after younecessarily need to list all of your experiences,
draft a summary and a core competency sectionparticularly if you have a lengthy work history.
- with effective words and phrases to help withJobs that extend beyond 15 years can be
key word search, you can create a 'Highlights ofreferenced in a previous experience section
Accomplishments' section. It is in this section thatwhere you can provide company name and title.
you can draw upon experiences from previousJobs beyond that time can be left off completely.
roles. It will allow you to reveal notableUse Your Network: Leveraging your network is a
accomplishments and the results derived togreat way to obtain a position, especially when
quickly engage the reader before she comes toyou have a gap. Who better to vouch for your
the section of the document where professionalcredibility and value than people you know? A
experiences and actual dates are referenced.strong reputation will speak for itself, and your
Given that you have a short window of time tonetwork can be there to help and support you
make a compelling statement, use the highlightsduring your search.
of accomplishments area to quickly demonstrateVolunteer: A great way to remain involved and
your skills. Capture five to six statements in bulletconnected is through volunteer activities, which
point fashion in this area to allow for easy reading.can take up as much time as you let them. Use
You also might consider making the first part oftime off wisely. If you have been downsized or
the statement in bold. This will draw the reader'sfired, volunteering will enable you to work with
eye to the section.people from diverse backgrounds in a collaborative
Use Just the Years: You don't need to referenceenvironment. Volunteer work can be highly
the months on your resume. It is ok to just listchallenging and will allow you to provide critical
the years. If the gap is short this will help bridge it.information during an interview.
Is this deceptive? No. You are going to fill out anYour commitment to yourself is a critical
application for employment where you will divulgecomponent to any job search. Utilize all of your
the exact of employment. I am not suggestingtools and resources to present yourself in the
that you try to mislead a potential employer. Thebest possible manner.
idea is to 'get the interview'. Once there you can