Looking to jumpstart your career this 2024 after being out of a job for a while? Now’s the right time to do so!
However, one problem you might encounter while job hunting today is explaining the career gaps in your resume.
Fortunately, you’re not alone. According to one survey of six thousand (6000) Southeast Asian workers, only twenty-nine percent (29%) said they never experienced a career break.
People have many reasons for having a career gap – the most common of which is the COVID-19 pandemic. Other reasons include health issues, having to care for loved ones, and pursuing post-graduate studies.
If you’re having trouble explaining the career gaps in your resume, here are some tips that can help:
Come to the Interview Prepared
One primary reason employers are wary of career gaps is that they don’t know the context behind them.
This is why it’s important to prepare an answer beforehand. Write down your response and rehearse it so you’ll be ready when your potential employer asks you about it.
Before the pandemic, a career gap was an automatic red flag for many employers. Today, many are more understanding of career breaks due to the pandemic and great resignation – so long as you’re able to explain it well.
Be Honest About Your Career Gaps
It’s tempting to lie about the career gaps since they don’t look good on your resume.
However, know that hiring managers are skilled at finding inconsistencies in your resume and may reject your application as a result.
If you somehow make it through, being found out can result in immediate termination once they run a background check on you.
Instead, be honest about the reason for your career gaps.
You don’t have to share the full details if you’re uncomfortable doing so. For example, if you took a mental health break, you don’t need to go into so much detail about it.
Leave Out the Months of Your Employment
For those who took a career break for a year or less, one way to downplay this is by omitting the months from the dates of each role you held.
Let’s say you worked as a virtual assistant from September 2021 to March 2023 and didn’t find a job until November 2023. You can simply write “Virtual Assistant: 2021-2023” on your resume.
This only works with relatively small career gaps, so you’ll have to be more forthcoming if yours lasted more than a year.
Additionally, your potential employer may still inquire about specific dates during your interview, so be prepared to explain.
Determine Which Jobs to Include in Your Resume
Are you looking to shift from an office-based job to a remote one?
If you already have several years of experience, it’s not necessary to include every job you have in your resume. Instead, you should only include your most recent ones and those relevant to the position you’re applying for.
Doing so helps you limit the career gaps you must explain in your resume.
Talk About the Lessons/Experiences You Gained from Each Job
Instead of dwelling on the number of months you didn’t have a job, why not focus on what you did at the time?
For example, if you took a break for your post-graduate studies, discuss how this makes you the most suitable candidate for the role.
You can also mention seminars, online courses, freelance work, and other skill development endeavors you did during your career gap.
Aside from your work-related skills, you can also discuss any transferable and soft skills you may have honed. Examples of these include adaptability, time management, and leadership skills.
Don’t Let Career Gaps Keep You From Your Dream Job
Despite a little more leeway due to the pandemic, many employers remain wary of applicants with career gaps.
However, by following the tips mentioned above, you’ll have an easier time explaining the career gaps in your resume.
Ready to start looking for an online job, but don’t know where to start? Worry not. Remote Staff is here to help.
Our jobs list contains plenty of available positions for you to choose from. These range from VA and Data Entry Jobs to Engineering and even online jobs for medical professionals.
So, what are you waiting for? Sign up here today. Good luck and happy job hunting!
