Mind the Gap: Strategic Ways to Handle Employment Gaps on Your Resume
Sarah Jenkins, HR Specialist
The stigma around employment gaps is fading. In the post-pandemic world, recruiters understand that careers are rarely linear lines. Layoffs happen. Parents take leave. People travel. Burnout is real.
However, silence is suspicious. If you leave a gap unexplained, a recruiter's imagination will fill it with the worst-case scenario (you were fired, you are unhirable, etc.). The key is to control the narrative.
Strategy 1: Formatting Fixes
If your gap is small (less than 6-9 months), you can often smooth it over with simple formatting tweaks.
- Use Years Only: Instead of "Jan 2019 – Mar 2020" and "Nov 2020 – Present," simply write "2019 – 2020" and "2020 – Present." This is honest but de-emphasizes the months in between.
- The Functional Format: As discussed in our Formats guide, focusing on skills rather than a strict timeline can take the visual focus off the dates.
Strategy 2: The "Career Break" Entry
For longer gaps (1+ years), own it. LinkedIn now has an official "Career Break" option for experience. You can do the same on your resume. Treat it like a job entry.
Full-Time Caregiver | 2021 – 2023
- Took a planned career hiatus to provide full-time care for a sick family member.
- Maintained industry knowledge by subscribing to [Industry News] and completing [Online Course].
- Ready to return to the workforce with renewed focus and energy.
This shows transparency, responsibility, and—crucially—that the gap has an end date.
Strategy 3: Fill the Gap
Did you truly do nothing professional for two years? Probably not.
- Freelancing: Did you consult for a friend? Help a business? List it as "Independent Consultant."
- Upskilling: Did you take a course? Get a certificate? List it as "Professional Development Sabbatical."
- Volunteering: Did you organize a charity event? That requires project management skills. List it.
How to Talk About It in Interviews
Be brief, be honest, and pivot back to the future.
"I was laid off during the company restructuring. I took 6 months to really evaluate where I could add the most value, which led me to take a certification in Data Analytics. Now, I'm excited to apply those new skills to this role..."
Don't apologize for having a life. Confidence tells the recruiter that the gap was a feature of your journey, not a bug.
