How do I handle gaps in my employment history on my resume?
There are many reasons why a person may have periods of time during his/her career when they have not been working. Explaining these gaps can be complicated, and a deterrent to the recruiter, if not handled properly. If the time of unemployment is only a few months, you can eliminate specifying months on the resume which may camouflage the time out of work. If you were unemployed for a longer period, as a parent, for medical issues, for education, to research a new career, or being laid-off, a short line of explanation is all that may be needed. Some examples might include:
- Stayed home to care for elderly parent 2021-2023
- Moved to a new location for spouse’s job 2020-2021
- Medical issues requiring lengthy recovery 2021-2022