Unemployment can happen to anyone. It’s how you explain an employment gap that can make or break your chances of getting hired.
You’re eager to get back on your feet and back to work after a lengthy period of unemployment. But as you craft your resume, you face a dilemma: how should you explain the long period you were not employed? Here are some tips to help you fill in this gap with honesty and confidence.
Start by understanding how employers view an employment gap. Then, consider acceptable reasons for a long employment gap. Next, know what activities employers see as acceptable fillers for that period. Finally, prepare to spell out those activities to boost your chances of getting an interview.
How employers view an employment gap
You’ve likely heard the saying that it’s easier to land a job when you already have one. Why? Some experts suggest it’s because employed candidates don’t come across as desperate. There’s a stigma attached to unemployment, and hiring managers often view it negatively. Unfortunately, the longer someone is out of work, the less attractive they seem to potential employers.
According to a field study by one resume service, unemployment periods over two years diminish a candidate’s chances of being called for an interview.
According to a field study by one resume service, unemployment periods over two years diminish a candidate’s chances of being called for an interview.
“Those with gaps in their work history run the risk of being seen as lazy or unfocused with their careers, and not as an in-demand asset in the eyes of potential employers,” Peter Yang, the CEO and co-founder of ResumeGo, explained to SHRM.com.
Now, wait a minute! How about maybe your were the victim of a mass layoff? Or, you wanted to start a family. Or, you chose to go back to school and earn a higher degree. But lazy? Absolutely not!
Moving beyond the stigma of an employment gap
Whatever the reason for your unemployment, your situation has changed and you’re ready to resume your career. But after an extended leave from work, do you even stand a rat’s chance?
Yes, you do. It all depends on how you present your employment gap when you apply for a job. According to Yang, “Applicants who provided a reason for their work gap received close to 60% more interviews [than those who didn’t provide a reason].” This sounds reassuring, doesn’t it?
Cover Letter
The real purpose of a cover letter is to give recruiters or hiring managers a deeper look into your achievements beyond what’s listed on your resume, while also offering a glimpse of the value you’ll bring if hired. Sure, a cover letter introduces you, but it’s not about you—it’s about how you can solve their problems and meet their needs. It’s your chance to show the employer how you’ll help their business succeed, not what they can do for you.
“Managers are looking for you to show that you understand their business and that you care about what they need,” Blue Sky Resumes’ founder Louise Fletcher told Careerbuilder.com.
Once you realize that your cover letter is your chance to say, “I understand your business, your challenges, and how I can bring value to your team,” it becomes clear that this isn’t the place to spotlight your employment gap. Instead, your cover letter should focus on showcasing your skills, experience, and what makes you the perfect fit for the role. Save any explanations about your employment gap for the interview or a brief note in your resume, if necessary. In the cover letter, it’s all about demonstrating that you’re exactly what they need right now.
Resume
While your cover letter isn’t the place to highlight your employment gap, you can’t ignore it altogether. The right place to address it is in your resume. This gives you the opportunity to briefly explain the gap in a straightforward, professional manner, without drawing too much attention to it. Focus on any productive activities during that time, such as skill-building, freelance work, or volunteering, to show that you remained proactive and engaged.
Still, the idea of addressing an employment gap can be intimidating, and it’s tempting to use tricks to cover it up. Some people try to hide it by leaving out months in their employment dates or skipping dates altogether. But be warned—recruiters see right through these tactics. They’ve seen it all, and trying to disguise a gap can raise red flags. It’s always better to be upfront and honest, rather than risk coming off as deceptive.
Omitting months on your employment dates, or omitting dates all together, are tricks recruiters know all too well.
“Masking a gap or job hopping concern could, in theory, help get your foot in the door, but recruiters and hiring managers will uncover the truth at some point in the hiring process. They won’t be happy to learn about a potential problem after they’ve already invested the time to meet you,” writes Jon Shield on Jobscan.com’s blog.
Honesty is always the best policy, and it’s easy to be truthful when you are prepared.
Resume Preparation
It’s easy to feel intimidated when explaining a gap in your resume. Don’t allow yourself to feel ashamed of choices you thought you made for the better, or times when you had no choice. Your time off work was presumably for a good reason–one that almost any recruiter or manager would understand.
Your time off work was presumably for a good reason–one that almost any recruiter or manager would understand.
A “reason” is not the same as an “excuse”
To get started, think about why you left your job and frame it in a positive, thoughtful way. For instance, instead of saying, “I quit my job to take care of my dad who was old,” you could say something like, “Although I was passionate about my career in accounting, my family faced the difficult decision of placing my father in a nursing home. Given his dementia, I chose to step away from my role to provide him with full-time care and ensure he could spend his remaining time in a familiar, loving environment. Unfortunately, my company didn’t offer remote work options, so I made the decision to prioritize my family during that critical time.” This approach highlights your values and demonstrates a proactive, compassionate decision.
When an employment gap is put in such a positive light, does that sound like a cop-out (excuse) or a noble sacrifice (good reason)? You can do the same thing even if you were fired. Find a positive spin.
Identify the value in your non-career related activities
Take some time to reflect on everything you did during your time off, whether career-related or not. Even experiences that might seem unrelated—like caring for a parent with dementia—have likely given you skills that employers value. Write these experiences down to practice articulating them, both for your resume and future interviews.
For instance, instead of simply saying, “I took care of my dad’s meals,” you could reframe it as, “For three years, I managed meal planning and preparation for my father, adapting to his changing nutritional needs as his health and cognitive abilities declined.” This turns a personal responsibility into a demonstration of problem-solving, organization, and adaptability—qualities any employer would appreciate.
Show that you’ve stayed current
Most recruiters understand that “life happens” to everyone, and they generally won’t hold an employment gap against you. However, they still may have concerns about whether you can hit the ground running after being out of the workforce for a while. Technology evolves, workplace standards shift, and new laws can impact how businesses operate. That’s why it’s important to show that, during your time away, you kept yourself up to date with industry trends, learned new skills, or completed relevant training. By demonstrating that you’ve stayed engaged and prepared for these changes, you can reassure employers that you’ll be able to contribute immediately without missing a beat.
Most recruiters understand that anyone can have an employment gap. Still, they will have concerns about your ability to hit the ground running.
Revisit your contacts
Have you stayed in touch with people in your field and continued to “talk shop”? Do you attend industry events like luncheons, lectures, or trade shows? These activities are absolutely worth mentioning because they show that, even during your time off, you remained engaged and committed to your profession. It demonstrates that you didn’t let your skills or knowledge get rusty–you kept your business suit ready for action. Staying active in your network and attending industry events proves you’re still in the loop and prepared to re-enter the workforce seamlessly.
During interviews, be sure to highlight these activities when relevant. For example, you could say, “I stayed current with the latest techniques in [my field] by regularly meeting with former colleagues, attending professional luncheons, and keeping up with the most up-to-date industry publications.” This not only shows your dedication to staying informed but also reassures the interviewer that you’ve remained engaged in your profession and are well-prepared to hit the ground running.
If you haven’t stayed connected, I get it. Life has a way of moving fast, and networking can easily fall to the wayside. But even if you’re not actively working, it’s crucial to keep interacting, even if it’s just on LinkedIn. Join professional groups, connect with people in your industry, and engage in discussions. Get back in touch with the latest industry jargon and trends. Know who the rising stars and big players are in your field. This kind of engagement will make it easier for you to re-enter the job market with confidence and show that you’re still in the game.
Take stock of your soft skills
If you didn’t engage in professional activities during your time off, that doesn’t mean you didn’t sharpen valuable skills. Soft skills, for instance, have become increasingly sought after as companies focus on being more responsive, inclusive, and adaptable. Whether you improved your communication, problem-solving, or leadership abilities while handling personal responsibilities, these transferable skills are just as important. Employers today recognize the value of emotional intelligence, collaboration, and adaptability—so don’t hesitate to highlight how your time away helped you grow in these areas.
Many people have found that it was during their time off that they truly had the chance to refine their soft skills. Patience, resilience, empathy, spontaneity, and effective communication are often honed in real-life situations, and these competencies are crucial in any business relationship. Highlighting how you’ve developed these abilities can make a powerful case for your readiness to excel in today’s quickly changing work environments.
Putting it together
Once you’ve organized all your information, it’s time to assemble your resume. Make sure to use the format that’s most commonly preferred in your industry or by the employer you’re targeting. When addressing the employment gap, offer a brief, honest explanation and focus on what you accomplished or learned during that time—whether that’s new skills, volunteer work, or personal growth.
Remember, being unemployed is not a crime. Hold your head high and embrace everything you gained during this period. Show prospective employers how these experiences have made you even more capable, and let them see just how great you still are!
Your turn: Have you ever successfully returned to work after a lengthy employment gap? How did you address this employment gap in your resume?
Do you need help demonstrating your value despite a lengthy employment gap? Check out our Resume Services!