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If you have a period of unemployment in your work history, you need to address\u00a0those gaps in employment\u00a0on your resume so a potential employer will consider you a reliable job candidate.<\/p>\n If you have a period of unemployment in your work history, you need to address\u00a0those gaps in employment\u00a0on your resume so a potential employer will consider you a reliable job candidate.<\/p>\n
You might ask, \u201cWhat\u2019s so bad about a few gaps in my employment history? Doesn\u2019t everybody deserve a break?\u201d Of course, many responsible professionals take time off in their careers to travel, recover from an injury or illness, take care of aging or ill relatives, and numerous other completely legitimate projects.<\/p>\n
Still, employers just don\u2019t like to see any gaps in your work history. They would prefer to have the unemployed time explained somehow, particularly if the explanation connects with your job objective in any way, or at least shows strength of character.<\/p>\n
A gap in your work history may cause the reader to think, \u201cThis candidate is hiding something\u201d or \u201cThis looks like someone who could have a problem\u201d (such as instability, laziness, substance abuse, or a history of incarceration). In order to gain the employer\u2019s trust, you\u2019ll need to justify any gaps in your employment history.<\/p>\n
Here are some ways to handle a period of unemployment in your history:<\/p>\n
1. Include only years, not months, when listing your work history. This not only makes it easier for the reader to quickly understand the length of time you held each position, it can eliminate any gaps that may have occurred within a span of two calendar years.<\/p>\n
Notice the gap here:<\/p>\n
11\/06 \u2013 4\/09, Night Manager, Taco Bell, Woodmont, NY
\n3\/04 \u2013 2\/06, Day Manager, Denny\u2019s Restaurant, Milpitas, CA<\/p>\n
If you use only years and eliminate the months, there is no apparent gap:<\/p>\n
2006-2009, Night Manager, Taco Bell, Woodmont, NY
\n2004-2006, Day Manager, Denny\u2019s Restaurant, Milpitas, CA<\/p>\n
2. If you\u2019ve experienced a period of unemployment that spans two calendar years or more, you will need to explain the gap. Consider everything you were doing during that time (travel, community service\/volunteer work, internships, schooling, and school\/extracurricular activities) and if possible, present them in a way that is relevant to your job objective.<\/p>\n
For example, a person who cared for an ill parent for two years and is now looking for a position as a pharmaceutical sales rep might write:<\/p>\n
2007-2009, Primary Home Care Provider for terminally ill relative<\/p>\n
Someone applying for a position as a travel agent might list his vacation destinations:<\/p>\n
2007-2008, Independent Travel: Central and South America<\/p>\n
A mother re-entering the workforce who wants to be a teacher\u2019s aide might write:<\/p>\n
2003-2008, Parent and Classroom Volunteer, Brio High School<\/p>\n
3. If, however, the gap in your work history has no apparent relevance to your job objective, explain it honestly and with dignity. In general, references to illness, unemployment (even if it is clearly due to a recession), and rehabilitation immediately raise red flags, so avoid those at all cost. Instead, write about something else that you were doing during that time, even if it\u2019s not related to your job objective. Following are some suggested \u201cjob titles\u201d for such gaps:<\/p>\n
Full-time Student
\nIndependent Study
\nFull-time Parent
\nFamily Management (or Home Management)
\nFamily Financial Management (or Estate Management)
\nAdventure Travel (or Travels to \u2026)
\nPersonal Travel<\/p>\n
4. If you include unpaid experience in your work history, be sure to use the title of Work History or History for this section, rather than Professional Experience or Employment History, since the words \u201cprofessional\u201d and \u201cemployment\u201d both imply that you were paid for the work you did.<\/p>\n
source: <\/em>susanireland<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n