Effective Strategies for Explaining Employment Gaps in Your Resume and Navigating Interview Questions
5th April 2023
As we navigate through our lives we come across various hurdles and pitfalls. It would be fallacious to consider the fact that everybody makes progress in their career in a linear manner. That’s not true. Gaps in our career do come due to various uncountable number of factors which are a play. In this regard, an employment gap can be a scare for us to deal with. But the right approach to handle this issue can prove to be a silver lining in your career. Have a look at how to place the same in your resume.
1.Unpaid Employment
It is not necessary on your part that you would have always worked in a formal structure visiting an office daily to work. At times we also work as a volunteer in many organisations and NGO’s. These also help us to build our skills and make us relevant for the present time and other jobs opportunities. Therefore, you must mention in your resume the details of work, the position and other responsibilities which you held while working as a volunteer. Mentions the skills, the knowledge and the overall experience which you would have acquired in that work.
2.Freelancer is equally great
Working as a freelancer is also a good opportunity to count upon. It gives you exposure to diverse field of knowledge by working for more than one company at a time. Therefore, if you have worked as a freelancer then you must mention it in your resume. Club all your experience under one section by arranging it in a chronological manner. Mention the domain of your expertise and the workload which you have handled. The services you have offered previously. The skillset that you acquired and how updated you are in your domain of work at present with the changing needs and demands of the company can help you overcome the employment gap.
3.Degree course
With the changing world scenario at times we also consider the option of taking a gap to pursue a degree course or higher studies. You must mention such degree and other certificate courses which you have done, in your resume. This can be at times more advantageous to you considering the fact that you have acquired more knowledge. The course has helped you to enhance your existing skills and outlook.
4.Resume format
The resume format at times can become a bone of contention to portray you in the best possible manner. Therefore, you can choose a different resume format. In this regard, a functional resume format which highlights more on skills and creativity than on professional history can be considered as a reliable option to work upon. Albeit, functional format is a good approach but in the process of ATS (Application Tracking System) method of recruitment, this can be a hindrance.
Once your resume is considered for a job its time to focus on the interview. The one to one interaction with the recruiter will give you a level playing field to explain your case and the reasons for the employment gap in detail. Your ability to persuade and convince the interviewer will make the difference.
a) Honesty First
It is understandable on the part of the recruiter that there would have some reason for the cause of your employment gap. You as a potential candidate must prepare well beforehand to explain your reason. Honesty with your reasons, will not put you down but can help you raise above. Therefore, it’s necessary that you explain the right reasons. You must never try to deceive the recruiter since S(he) is far more experienced than you and interacts with many candidates on a day to day basis.
b) Convincing and not merely speaking
You must consider the fact that you have to convince the recruiter and not mere speak out your reasons. Therefore, it is the way you speak and the confidence which you possess that can make a difference. You must practise beforehand and keep an answer ready in your mind to handle this question by the recruiter.
c) Channelize the conversation to your skills and relevance
You must make sure that your employment gap must not become the centre of the interaction. You must make an attempt to channelised the conversation to your accomplishments and skills which you have acquired. Convince the recruiter regarding your relevance to the job and the company. You must talk with passion and positivity in your mind to show that you are genuinely interested in working for the company.
A positive approach can lead you towards success. All the best!
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