Tips for Explaining Gaps in your Employment History

If you have an employment gap on your resume, you aren't alone. In fact, more than half of 1,000 adult Americans surveyed by Monster had at least one career gap. "What were you doing during this gap on your resume?" can be one of the most intimidating questions in a job interview. It can even feel like an accusation, even though hiring managers simply want to make sure you're a dependable worker.

Knowing that you likely won't be the only applicant with employment gaps can be comforting. All you have to do is handle the situation with confidence and you'll nail your interview. Here are a few tips to help you manage those pesky employment history gaps.

Don't Mention It

Although it's important to have a good answer prepared, the truth is, employers may not even ask about it. Many hiring managers will focus on the experience you've listed, and among those who do notice it, some will understand that it can take a while to line up new work, particularly if you're in a specialized field. If it helps, avoid listing months on your resume if each of your jobs spanned multiple years. Instead of saying you worked somewhere from June 2015 to July 2018, for instance, you can simply put "2015 to 2018" in the date field.

Be Honest

When asked about employment gaps during the interview, be straightforward and honest about what you were doing. If you're confident about your background, the interviewer will feel more confident in it, too. There are perfectly reasonable explanations for taking time off from your career, including caring for an ailing loved one, relocating and getting established in a new city, and taking time to travel. If you were laid off and it took time to find a new position, emphasize that you wanted to find the right fit for you, rather than simply grabbing a job just to have one.

Emphasize What You Gained

As you explain resume gaps, emphasize what you gained from the time off. If you did volunteer work, freelanced, consulted, or even took an online class to boost your skills, stress how that made you better equipped to tackle the challenges that you'll face in this new job. In fact, if you performed freelance or consulting work, you may want to slip that experience in to fill the gap, as it can be a great way to boost yourself as a candidate.

A resume gap can work for you rather than against you, as long as you walk into the interview prepared to explain it. Make sure your resume is arranged in a way that is honest but minimizes the gap, then be truthful in the interview. Your interviewer may even see how you handled the question as a sign that you're just the candidate they need.