How to explain Resume Gaps
So you read Ashley’s post on writing a resume with gaps, and you got the interview! But what if they ask about resume gap details in the interview?
Be honest.
Maybe you had a baby, or maybe you took time off to take care of yourself or a family member. There’s no shame in that. You might find a connection with the interviewer if they have had a similar situation.
Think forward.
The more guilt and shame you have about your resume gap, the more the interviewer will be able to pick up on. There will be twists and turns in life, and that is completely normal. Make it clear to the interviewer that you are now ready for an opportunity to challenge yourself and create value for the company.
Life happens.
Let’s say you had to leave your old job because of personal issues. No problem! Tell the interviewer that you had to take time away to resolve personal projects, but you are now ready to focus on your career. Accept that you have a resume gap, and try to speak briefly and calmly about it. If you do this, chances are they will be more interested in your attitude and skills than the gap itself.
If this has helped you, please comment below and let me know!
Bless you Matt! Thank you so much for writing this!
Great advice thank you I was worried about how I can explain that with out it coming out completely wrong now I won't have any worries.!!
I took care of my mother for 8 months and wasn't sure if I should add it too my resume as caregiving experience even though that's not what kinds of jobs I am looking for. I was thinking that it might be better than having a resume gap like that but because of this I think I'll leave it off and use it as a chance to explain it and hopefully show my character in interviews. Thanks Matt
Great advice Matt thanks
I have an interview coming up and have been stressed about explaining a 1 year gap where I took time off to care for family, so thank you for this. I'll tell them upfront and let them know I'm in a good place to devote my energy to their business.
This is actually really helpful advice Matt, thanks. It's hard to get past the shame that comes about through not having a stellar resume with constant work experience, so it is nice to hear that there is a way to downplay it and still ace an interview. Have a great day!
Great advice, thanks Matt! Sometimes it can be hard to look past something that seems to tarnish your work history, but if you don't. then it makes sense that a potential employer wouldn't!
Matt, that last paragraph was truly helpful and I have used it. But, because there have been gaps in conjunction with multiple jobs in the same career field, this is where the openness becomes more of a minefield. I don't wish to detour from the topic, but how do (or should) you bring up information related to health issues that lead to or assisted in the shortness of the positions? I'm indicating more to significant health conditions or surgeries that occurred in the past or during certain positions. In each of the future positions, I was reluctant to share any information related to each of the issues. Then, with the next position, I only shared one of the issues up front. The next position I shared the same issue, but shortly after being hired, but the issue was not related to my job description. However, I have always been on the fence and the HR laws protect against asking the questions or dismissals because of it. BUT, companies are creative, I have been in these management roles in recent years and there are 'work-arounds' to disguise said dismissal under auspices of job performance or attendance or 'Not a good fit' (a really creative one I was told as a reason for dismissal from one position without elaboration.