People take extended leaves from work for various reasons. For example, maybe you needed to take a step back from your career or the workforce to continue your education, provide care for a loved one or for your own medical needs, to volunteer, or due to burnout. There are many reasons for employment gaps. Some other reasons may include:
- Relocation
- Organizational changes
- Career change
The length of time may also vary. Some people may need to take more time than others. Although it's more accepted now than it may have been in the past, unfortunately it's something hiring managers may be curious about. Overall, it's a good idea to explain any employment gaps on your resume
Build confidence with these 3 tips.
Highlight your skills and strengths
Front-load your resume with your skills, and then list your professional experience. A summary of your skills and strengths can establish your qualifications first—before a hiring manager even notices an employment gap. Plus, many hiring managers are looking to hire people with specific skill-sets above direct experience, so this approach could be helpful for certain opportunities.
If during your employment gap you acquired relevant skills to the job you're applying for then include those skills. For example, if you were a caregiver and are returning to the workforce and applying for a role as a nurse or child caregiver, then highlight the experiences you bring and any relevant activities from your gap.
If you took online courses, have volunteer opportunities, or took an internship, they can also valuable training and education that's worth sharing. This kind of self-directed learning can also help position you positively as a self-starting, curious, and ambitious professional.