What Are the Best Strategies for Addressing Career Gaps in Your Resume?

Powered by AI and the women in tech community.

Navigate career gaps by being transparent, emphasizing skills gained during breaks, utilizing a functional resume, leveraging cover letters, preparing for interviews, focusing on continuous learning, actively networking, optimizing your LinkedIn, considering temp work, and using a career summary section. Highlight growth and qualifications over chronological history.

Navigate career gaps by being transparent, emphasizing skills gained during breaks, utilizing a functional resume, leveraging cover letters, preparing for interviews, focusing on continuous learning, actively networking, optimizing your LinkedIn, considering temp work, and using a career summary section. Highlight growth and qualifications over chronological history.

Contribute to three or more articles across any domain to qualify for the Contributor badge. Please check back tomorrow for updates on your progress.

Contribute to three or more articles across any domain to qualify for the Contributor badge. Please check back tomorrow for updates on your progress.

Embrace Transparency

Being upfront and honest about your career gaps is key. Rather than trying to hide these periods, address them directly in your cover letter or during the interview stage. Explain the reasons for the gaps and, more importantly, what you learned or how you grew during those times.

Add your perspective

Highlight Skills and Experiences Gained

Even during career gaps, you might have gained valuable skills or experiences that are relevant to your desired job. Whether it was freelance work, volunteering, taking courses, or even personal projects, make sure to highlight these activities and the skills you developed.

Add your perspective

Use a Functional Resume Format

Instead of the traditional chronological resume, consider a functional resume format. This type focuses on your skills and experiences rather than the timeline of your career. It can help minimize the appearance of gaps and put the emphasis on your qualifications.

Add your perspective

Leverage Cover Letters

Your cover letter offers a great opportunity to explain your career gaps in a positive light. Use it to tell your story, focusing on how the experiences during your gaps have prepared you for your next role. Be brief but compelling in your explanation.

Add your perspective

Prepare for Interviews

Be ready to talk about your career gaps during interviews. Prepare a concise, positive explanation that focuses on what you learned or how you improved during those periods away from the workforce. Practicing your response can help you feel more comfortable discussing it.

Add your perspective

Focus on Continuous Learning

If you took any courses, certifications, or engaged in self-directed learning during your time off, be sure to include these on your resume. This demonstrates to potential employers that you are committed to continuous personal and professional development.

Add your perspective

Network Actively

Networking can be especially beneficial for those with career gaps. Connections made through networking can lead to recommendations and job opportunities. They can also provide endorsements that help compensate for the gaps in your employment history.

Add your perspective

Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile

Make sure your LinkedIn profile is complete and up-to-date, including any freelance work, projects, or learning achievements you accomplished during your career gaps. LinkedIn can also be used to explain your career journey in a more narrative form.

Add your perspective

Consider Temporary or Contract Work

If you're currently in a career gap, consider taking on temporary or contract work. This can help fill in the gap on your resume, provide you with recent work experience, and potentially lead to permanent employment.

Add your perspective

Use a Career Summary Section

Include a career summary at the top of your resume. This helps you lead with your strengths and accomplishments rather than the chronological flow of your career. It can be an effective way to frame your narrative and focus on your suitability for the role, despite any gaps.

Add your perspective

What else to take into account

This section is for sharing any additional examples, stories, or insights that do not fit into previous sections. Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Add your perspective

Want to contribute ? We select experts based on their experience and skills.

Learn more about becoming a contributor.

Rate this article

More relevant reading

Resume Building for Career Breaks
What Are the Best Strategies for Addressing Career Gaps in Your Resume?
Resume Building for Career Breaks
Is It Possible to Use a Career Break to Enhance Your Marketability?
Resume Building for Career Breaks
What Are the Key Elements to Include in Your Resume After a Career Pause?
Resume Building for Career Breaks
How Should You Update Your Resume After a Career Break?