How to Handle an Employment Gap on Your Resume
If you have an employment gap on your resume, there are several ways you can handle it:
- Include the gap on your resume, but explain it. For example, you could say “2017-2019: Personal leave for family care.” This is a straightforward and honest approach that allows you to explain the gap without going into too much detail.
- Use a functional resume format. With a functional resume, you focus on your skills and achievements rather than on your work history. This can help to downplay any employment gaps you may have.
- Consider including freelance or contract work on your resume. If you did any freelance or contract work during your employment gap, you can include it on your resume to show that you were still active in your field.
- Use a “Summary” or “Highlights” section to draw attention to your strengths and accomplishments. This can help to distract from any employment gaps you may have.
- If possible, fill the gap with education or training. If you took any courses or earned any certifications during your employment gap, you can include this information on your resume to show that you were actively working on improving your skills.
Overall, the key is to be honest and straightforward about any employment gaps on your resume, and to focus on highlighting your skills and achievements.