A resume gap is a period of time that signals on your resume you were not employed. A gap is a period of months or years between two jobs. People for whom work is not their primary source of income tend to have a few gaps of employment. Also, workers who need to take time away from the job to care for an elderly parent or a child that require specialized needs will tend to have a large gap of employment. Some choose to explain the gap right in the resume. Whether you explain in your resume or leave it open, be prepared for questions.
The best way to explain a resume gap is to be honest, open, and prepared for questions. Explain, but don’t go into extreme detail or volunteer information which may hurt your opportunity. Show confidence, not insecurity. Don’t hesitate or get fidgety. Address concerns the employer may have. One example of being honest is to explain that you were laid off and could not find another due to the tough job market. Or, you took time away from your career to provide end of life care for a parent. Explain that the reason for gap no longer exists and how reliable you can be. Assure them of your commitment to the position. Portray interest by asking questions about the future of the company and the position. Describe your interest in the position and the company. Focus on your experience and skills. Make your skills and experience greater than the gap.
As life progresses, most workers at some point in time tend to have one or two gaps of employment. Work-life can be stressful and many experience mental burn-out and need to take time to refresh. Resume gaps are usually not a problem in most situations. However, having multiple gaps of employment can signal that you may not be a reliable worker especially for positions where attendance is essential to the mission. Also, smaller businesses and start-ups may be more concerned with gaps of employment and high turnover than larger organizations. That is because the loss, time, and cost to replace an employee are more felt with their smaller staff. Resume gaps are a hurdle, but it is a hurdle that you can easily jump over.