If you have been putting off writing your resume because of your employment gap, hopefully this article gets you unstuck! It can definitely be a challenge for job seekers to figure out how to write their resume while trying to minimize an employment gap. But don’t let it paralyze you from taking action.
If you are re-entering the workforce after a career pause, it’s important to remember that you’ve still got many skills and achievements to market on your resume! And believe it or not, writing your resume can be pretty simple if you know which style to use.
Enter the functional resume format.
In this blog post, I’m going to write about the benefits of using a functional resume style, including how it can help minimize that dreaded gap while also helping you stand out in a crowded job market.
Here are some specific ways a functional resume can help when you have a career gap:
Skills Emphasis
The functional resume allows you to showcase your skills front and center at the beginning of your resume to help minimize an employment gap. This draws attention to your capabilities rather than the specific jobs you’ve held. This is particularly helpful if your skills are still relevant despite the career gap.
De-emphasizes Chronology
By downplaying the chronological order of your work experience, a functional resume can help shift the focus away from any gaps. Employers will likely be more interested in what you can bring to the table now rather than what you did in the past.
Focus on Achievements
Highlight your achievements and accomplishments, regardless of when they occurred. This approach allows you to demonstrate your capabilities and contributions without being confined to a strict timeline like you will be if you use a chronological resume style.
Tailored Content
You can tailor the functional resume to the specific job you’re applying for. This allows you to align your skills and experiences with the requirements of the position, making it easier for the employer to see your suitability for the role. Click here to see our functional resume example.
Relevant Experience
Instead of listing your work experience in chronological order, you can group your skills and achievements by relevance to the job. This way, you can ensure that the most significant experiences are highlighted, and the emphasis is on what makes you a strong candidate for the position.
In Conclusion
Using a functional resume style can be an effective strategy to minimize an employment gap. By shifting the focus away from work history and employment dates, you can effectively highlight your relevant skills and achievements while demonstrating that you are a rockstar and you’re the perfect fit for the job!
Minimizing Employment Gaps FAQs
-
How can using a functional resume help minimize an employment gap?
Using a functional resume allows you to highlight your relevant skills and accomplishments, rather than focusing on your chronological work history. This can effectively shift the attention away from any employment gaps and emphasize your qualifications for the desired position.
-
What are some key elements to include in a functional resume to address an employment gap?
When crafting a functional resume to minimize an employment gap, it’s important to include a strong summary or objective statement that highlights your skills and experience. Additionally, emphasize transferable skills, relevant certifications, and any volunteer work or freelancing projects that showcase your abilities.
-
How do search engine result page (SERP) and rich result guidelines relate to using a functional resume to minimize an employment gap?
While search engine algorithms cannot directly assess employment gaps, following SERP and rich result guidelines can improve the visibility and presentation of your functional resume online. By optimizing your resume with relevant keywords, structured data, and proper formatting, you can increase the chances of it appearing prominently in search results, enhancing your chances of getting noticed by potential employers.
