Within the competitive job market, your resume is the most important document in creating your first impression with recruiters. Without a strong first impression, you may not receive further interview invitations. Some job seekers express concern that the presence of employment gaps on their resume raises a red flag. In this article, we invite two experienced HR professionals to share their insights and discuss how to address and turn employment gaps into assets on your journey to career success.
What is consider a gap in your resume?
An employment gap on a resume is a period of time when someone is not actively employed or engaged in consistent work. These gaps can vary in duration and can result from personal pursuits, educational endeavors, health issues, or unexpected life events. Recruiters view employment history as a crucial component of a candidate’s profile, and any interruption in the chronological sequence of employment may raise questions.
Although short breaks may go unnoticed, long or frequent gaps may prompt recruiters to ask candidates about the circumstances surrounding these periods. It’s important to address and effectively explain the reasons behind resume gaps to shape the recruiter’s perception and ensure a fair evaluation of a candidate’s overall suitability for a given position.
Angélica Loza
Recruiter at WTS Energy Mexico
The concern of gap does not arise out of mere curiosity about the reasons for a sabbatical, but because we are committed to ensuring the integrity of the company and the safety of its employees. The gaps in the resume may raise uncertainties about unmentioned dismissals, or even harmful habits, elements that could have irreversible consequences for the company in the future.
How to explain gaps in your CV
When explaining gaps in your CV, be transparent. Recruiters approach these spaces with empathy. Open-ended conversations are important to explore the reasons behind these inactive periods. Recruiters understand diverse reasons, including parenthood, unsuccessful job searches, training, and personal challenges. It is important to understand that occasional gaps in employment do not necessarily indicate commitment issues or workplace conflicts. They should be viewed as exceptions rather than the norm.
Our recruiter Angelica suggests you to “take time to reflect on your career and analyze the reasons for any periods of inactivity. If you experience periodic lapses, consider exploring temporary or project-based roles that offer more flexible management. Open communication can establish positive relationships with candidates and potential employers, and to promote health work environments.”
What do recruiters think of employment gaps?
For this question, Gabriela, one of our recruiters based in Romania with more than 7 years of experience, shares her opinion on employment gaps.
Gabriela Cristea
Recruiter at WTS Energy Romania
Employment gaps, as we all know, can be tricky and can raise red flags, mostly due to the ambiguity that surrounds them, but I think that employment gaps aren’t always negative. Let’s look at a few common reasons why a candidate might have employment gaps to begin with: layoff, medical leave, school, travel, career change, job seeking, parental leave, so depends on the recruiter how he or she sees this aspect and if he or she is willing to give a chance to the candidate or not. As a recruiter, I don’t see any “obstacle” in considering or hiring someone with a motivated gap in their CV.
Good and not-so-good reasons for employment gaps
According to responses from recruiters, employment gaps aren’t necessarily a bad thing; it’s all about how you explain them. As a result, we provide a list of common good and bad reasons for employment gaps to assist you in effectively addressing these gaps in your resume.
The good reasons for employ gaps in your resume include:
- Educational pursuits
- Engagement in voluntary activities
- Family responsibilities and caregiving
- Relocation
- Personal Issues, such as financial issues
Employment gaps can become strengths when filled with purpose. Pursuing education, engaging in volunteer work, embracing family responsibilities, and navigating relocations can showcase a candidate’s commitment, adaptability, and continuous personal growth, enriching their overall professional profile.
The list of not-so-good reasons for employment gaps in your resume
- Unexplained periods of inactivity
- Frequent job changes without justification
- Extended unemployment without skill development
- Legal issues or incarceration
Negative employment gaps can arise from problematic situations such as unexplained inactivity, frequent job changes without justification, extended unemployment without skill development, legal issues, and persistent personal problems. It is crucial to address these issues with transparency and demonstrate personal growth to mitigate potential concerns.
Our final thoughts
In conclusion, navigating employment gaps on your resume is not an obstacle, but an opportunity for effective communication. Remember, recruiters are human beings who understand the twists and turns of life. Being transparent about your professional journey fosters trust and cultivates a positive relationship with potential employers. The key is to turn moments of career pause into narratives of growth and readiness for the challenges that lie ahead.
