How to explain career gap in your resume?

Professionals find is challenging to address the career gap in the resume whether it was due to downsizing, break for your loved one, spouse relocation or medical exigency of someone close- employment gaps have become a regular norm across functions, geographies & industries. However, stigma still persists & gap is taken as negative by prospective employer if not explained correctly.

As a career coach & an executive resume writer, job seekers generally ask if they should include employment gap in the resume?

It is vital to include employment gap in the resume but the way it has to be addressed depends upon the situation.

Professionals should not include any false information in the resume- either by altering the dates or including a non-existing job. If you are caught, it could jeopardize your entire career. You should always stick to the truth. Here are some ways you can address employment gap depending upon the situation:

1. Small gaps in employment: The gap can be minimised using the power of formatting, thereby making it less of a red flag. For instance by changing the format from MM/YY to YY, you can easily camouflage few months gap.
2. Large gaps: Using a portion of cover letter to address the unspoken issues head on which you may not be able to explain in your resume. Explain the situation clearly & stick to facts. There is no need to go in detail to explain the situation. You can talk more about the situation during your interview. Include whatever experience you have so that your skill & expertise remains current. This is how you could explain employment gap in some specific situations:
   1. Gap Scenario 1-Parenting: After a successful 12 year long career in financial services where I catapulted from a credit analyst to Country Manager for Risk, I took a maternity leave. Now that my daughter is poised to enter kindergarten, I am eager to take my career prosperity to greater heights & can help your company set up the entire risk practice for Philippines.
   2. Gap Scenario 2- Downsizing: I spent 12 years working with xxx company growing market share from 8% to 16% under my leadership with a team size of 15 sales soldiers. When our company merged with yyy company, entire sales organization was restructured & I was asked to look for opportunities outside the company. Post my exit from the company, I have worked as an Independent consultant & helped aaa company set up distribution channel for Indian market. Given my connections in India’s FMCG distribution network, I can help you set up your distribution channel for your to be launched Indian market should you consider me a good fit for the role.

Both scenarios explains your reasons for gap very well.The narrative reinforces your interest in the role to make it clear you are full committed to remaining in the workforce.

In case during the phase of unemployment you have helped a friend or professional acquaintance roll out digital marketing strategy or wrote blogs, articles or newsletters for his/her AI startup, include it in your resume.

While it is relatively easy to focus on negative of workplace gap, revisit your strategy & focus on positive aspects of your skill set & expertise since it is related to your future career.

For instance if you are looking to return to an automotive product management role after your maternity leave, reflect on detailed research you might have done on electric fuel concept which is taking shape.

It’s important to know the best sorted way to address your career gaps. . However, career gaps are not deal-breakers. They will never restrict you from penciling down a career narrative that focuses on your skills, talents, and expertise that may help you land up with your next job.