Addressing employment gaps or career breaks

Understanding employment gaps

Employment gaps are periods when you were not formally employed. These can happen for various reasons such as further education, personal reasons, or career transitions. While it's common to worry about these gaps, addressing them effectively can showcase your resilience and continuous development.

How to address employment gaps on your resume

1. Include the gap in your timeline

   • If the gap is significant (more than six months), consider including it in your resume timeline.

   • Use a simple and honest description like "Sabbatical for Travel," "Family Caregiver," or "Professional Development."

2. Highlight productive activities

   • During gaps, if you engaged in relevant activities such as taking courses, freelancing, volunteering, or personal projects, include these.

   • This shows you were proactive and continued to develop your skills.

3. Keep it brief

   • Keep the explanation brief and focus on the skills and experiences gained during the gap that are relevant to the job you are applying for.