I’ve created a sample resume with gaps in employment to show you, category by category, what your resume can look like. If you’ve done a lot of job hopping or if you’ve taken a career pause to care for kids or pursue travel or education, there’s absolutely no shame in having employment gaps. Let’s get that big elephant addressed right away! In today’s workforce where most professionals have changed careers and jobs multiple times, employers are used to seeing employment gaps on resumes. The trick is to know how to categorize your resume and market your most valuable and relevant skills, achievements, and experience. Read on to learn how!
Employment Gap Due to Personal Reasons Sample
This resume with gaps in employment demonstrates how you can market your career break due to personal reasons just like you would a job. By highlighting transferable skills that are desired in every field, this job seeker has shown the employer how their gap can be of value to the company as well as in the role.
Sample resume with gaps in employment due to Covid
This resume with gaps in employment demonstrates how to explain your gap due to being laid off from Covid. Keep the explanation short and sweet. Focus on any relevant achievements, including any recent continuing education, training, or professional development that is related to your career goal.
Career Break Due to Family Reasons Example
The resume with gaps in employment below is a great example of how to showcase volunteer experience you’ve done during your employment gap.
In Summary
A sample resume with gaps in employment can demonstrate that it’s not difficult to create a stand-out, achievement-rich resume if your employment history has gaps or if you have held many jobs in the last decade. Focus on your targeted job. Make sure the skills and qualifications the employer lists in the job posting are highlighted on your resume. Write accomplishment-focused phrases. Show rather than tell. Demonstrate to a hiring manager why you are the best fit for the job!
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are good reasons for gaps in employment?
Raising Children or Family Care: Taking time off to care for children or other family members is a common and completely valid reason for a gap.
Personal Health: Taking time to recover from a health issue or to manage a chronic condition shows that you prioritized your well-being.
Professional Development: Taking time off to pursue additional education, certifications, or training related to your field shows that you value growth.
Freelance or Contract Work: Working on a freelance or contract basis, even if not full-time, can demonstrate continued professional activity.
Volunteering: Using the gap period to volunteer, especially if it was related to your field or helped develop valuable skills (like your graphic design work for the PTA), can be a strong point.
Travel: Taking time to travel, especially if it involved cultural exchange, language learning, or volunteering abroad (like your experience in Central and South America), shows adaptability and a willingness to expand your horizons.
Relocation: Moving to a new city or country often requires time for settling in and job hunting, which is understandable.
Job Market Conditions: If you were actively searching for work but faced challenges due to economic conditions or a competitive job market, you can mention this while highlighting any skills or projects you worked on during that time.
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How do you explain gaps in employment on a resume?
1. Choose the Right Resume Format
Functional Resume: Focuses on skills and experiences rather than a chronological work history. This format allows you to showcase your graphic design skills, volunteer work, and relevant accomplishments without emphasizing dates.
Combination Resume: Combines both skills and chronological work history. Highlight your skills and volunteer experience first, then provide a brief chronological work history.2. Use an Appropriate Label for the Gap
If your gap involved constructive activities, consider labeling the time period with a title, such as:
“Full-Time Parent and Caregiver” (if you were raising children)
“Freelance Graphic Designer” (if you took on any freelance work during the gap)
“Volunteer Graphic Designer” (for your work with the PTA)
“Travel and Volunteer Experience” (to highlight your travel and volunteering in Central and South America)3. Include the Gap in the Experience Section
If the gap involved volunteering, freelancing, or professional development, list it as if it were a job. Highlight transferable skills and achievements that relate directly to the job you are targeting.4. Emphasize Skill Development
Mention any relevant skills you developed during your gap that would benefit your future role as a graphic designer, such as adaptability, project management, or creativity. Highlight any technical skills you may have improved, like mastering design software or attending online courses.5. List Professional Development
If you took courses or worked on personal projects, include a section like “Professional Development” or “Continuing Education” to showcase how you used the time productively. -
How do you explain a gap in employment after graduation?
1. Professional Development or Further Education
If you used the time to take additional courses, earn certifications, or build skills relevant to your field, mention this. It shows your commitment to growing your expertise.2. Freelance Work or Personal Projects
If you took on freelance work, side projects, or personal initiatives to build your portfolio, these can be valuable experiences. Even if unpaid, they demonstrate initiative and practical application of your skills.3. Volunteer Work
Volunteering is a great way to fill a gap, especially if it’s related to your field. You can highlight your volunteer work as a graphic designer for the PTA or any other organization.4. Internships or Job Hunting
If you were actively looking for a job or doing internships that may not have led to full-time work, you can mention this. It shows your dedication to finding the right opportunity and gaining relevant experience.5. Travel and Cultural Experiences
If you traveled during this time, especially if it included volunteering or skill development (like your experience in Central and South America), you can frame it as a period of growth that contributed to your soft skills, like adaptability and communication.6. Skill Enhancement Through Online Learning Platforms
If you used platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, or Skillshare, include this as professional development.
