Explaining Resume Gaps

Two Minute Read

Are you worried about resume gaps?

During a job search, you may be asked to explain gaps in your work history or why completing your degree has taken longer than usual.

Stumbling over your explanations may hurt your chances of landing a job.

However, you can easily address gaps and extended education periods in interviews.

Here are a few key tips to help you address questions about work history gaps and the duration of your studies:

1. Preparing and practicing crisp responses will avoid an awkward delivery and reduce nervousness. Gaps in work history happen for many reasons, including layoffs, illness, parenting, caretaking, relocation, and co-ordinating work situations with a partner. However, there’s probably never been a time in modern history when employers receive honest explanations with so much empathy and understanding. 

It is important to be direct when explaining gaps in your work history or a prolonged education period. Your potential employer will appreciate your honesty and see it as a sign of maturity and self-awareness.

For example, if you took time off for a physical or mental health issue, it's okay to discuss it generally. Explain how you used the time to focus on your health and wellness and how you're now feeling better and ready to work.

If you took extra time to finish a degree, explain why and what you learned from that experience. Highlight the skills and knowledge you gained and how they will be an asset to the employer. Talk about how you took responsibility for your education and how you plan to continue learning and growing professionally.

2. How you've handled difficult situations can often reflect well on you, so turn what you view as an uncomfortable conversation into an asset. How you’ve overcome obstacles demonstrates your grit, resilience, and problem-solving skills. Keeping that in mind will help improve your delivery of the message.

3. Remember that your current skills mean so much more to your attractiveness as an employee than the path it took to build them. Gaps or delays don't define you or your worth as an employee. If you’re a person who can do the job well, the journey, however long or circuitous, isn’t that relevant.

Gaps in your work history and a protracted education can seem like barriers to employment. But with a positive attitude, authenticity, and an emphasis on the future, you can transform a gap into a strength and impress prospective employers. Be frank and confident; you’re more likely to achieve your goals.

I help young adults (college students and grads several years out) jumpstart their careers and get hired for full-time jobs and internships through individual and group career coaching and advising. I employ a holistic, design-oriented approach to help candidates find meaningful, self-sustaining work matched to their skills and interests. I welcome you to contact me .