How to Explain Gaps in Employment on a Resume (Guide + Sample Resume)

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Table of contents

Reasons for Resume Employment Gaps
How to Explain Gaps in Employment on Your Resume (With Examples)
Tips for Discussing Resume Gaps
Employment Gaps Resume Example
Key Takeaways
Resources to Help With Your Job Search

Whether you were laid off, took some time to take care of yourself or your family, or simply couldn't find work in your field for a while, deciding how to explain gaps in employment can be an intimidating bridge to cross when writing your resume.

Fortunately, you're not alone. Resume employment gaps are common and happen for all sorts of different reasons. Don't let them stop you from applying to a role that excites you. Our guide will help you address gaps in your resume and build a resume you're proud of — gaps and all!

Our guide includes:

Common reasons why you might have gaps on your resume.
How to address resume gaps in your work history section and elsewhere.
Tips for talking about your time away from work.
A sample resume with employment gaps.

Not sure where to start on updating your resume? Our Resume Builder is a quick and easy solution to building a resume — whether it's your first or your tenth.

Reasons for Resume Employment Gaps

Before we dive into writing a strong resume with employment gaps, let's take a breath and tackle the anxiety around this topic. You've likely heard that gaps look bad on a resume — but that's not the whole truth. Life is messy, and gaps happen for many reasons, some beyond our control.

The truth is that resume gaps are common and even expected. They shouldn't stop you from pursuing your career dreams. The following are some common reasons why you might have a work history gap on your resume:

Layoffs: Getting terminated is never fun, but it often has more to do with greater economic trends than personal performance. Resume gaps due to layoffs are common and nothing to be ashamed of.
Job market difficulties: Getting a job in your chosen field right out of college or high school can be tough! If there's a big gap between your graduation and your first job, you're far from the only one.
Freelancing: Spending some time doing freelance work means you might have gaps between work opportunities. This is to be expected, but you should still explain.
Caring for a family member: Whether it's a parent, a child or a spouse, sometimes family needs you more than work does. But that doesn't mean you aren't learning new things or honing your soft skills while you take care of what matters most!
Health issues: An illness or injury can take you out of the workforce.
Pursuing a personal goal: Sometimes, a career gap comes from an exciting opportunity. You may have decided to travel, dedicate yourself to creating an indie film, or pursue a secondary degree. Time spent investing in yourself is not wasted.
Starting a business: Whether it was a failed venture or a successful side hustle, reentering the workforce after starting a business isn't a defeat, so long as you can demonstrate the skills you earned through the experience.

Even if none of these reasons apply to you, hopefully, you understand that writing a resume featuring employment gaps isn't something to hide from. Let's look at how these reasons can be translated into an honest resume.

How to Explain Gaps in Employment on Your Resume (With Examples)

There are several places on a resume where employment gaps can be explained. Let's walk through them together.

How to show employment gaps in your work history section

Your work history section is where employment gaps are bound to come up. Here are some basic do's and don'ts for your work history section:

Do:

Consider whether you need to include the gap at all. It's not good to overlook employment gaps, but if your employment gap was early in your career or lasted just a month or so, you can omit it and focus on your most recent, relevant positions.
List the reason for your employment gap and some key skills or development steps you took during this time. For example, if you were a stay-at-home parent, you might discuss what you learned about scheduling or personal finance during your time away.
Focus on professional development. As you prepare to make your resume, consider whether there are any simple professional development steps you could take right now to show your commitment to improving. Consider obtaining a certification in your field or joining a professional community relevant to your role.

Don't:

List your experience while glancing over the gaps. If your two jobs have a significant gap, you're better off addressing it. To employers, a gap with no context can only be interpreted as a negative, but when you explain in detail, you add positives.
Lie about your experience. What happens when the employer calls on your references to verify your dates of employment? Dishonesty is a risky move.
Be apologetic. Your career story is nothing to apologize for. If you are negative about your gaps, the employer will be too.

Example work history section for a resume with career gaps:

Freelance Marketing Consultant
Various Clients | Jan. 2019 – Present (with intermittent projects)

Provided strategic marketing consulting focused on digital campaigns and brand positioning.
Managed projects such as a social media overhaul for BrightWay Solutions and a successful product launch strategy for GreenLeaf Innovations, increasing online engagement by 30%.
Developed content marketing frameworks and improved SEO strategies, resulting in a 15% average increase in organic traffic for clients.

Full-Time Caregiver
Family Member | Feb. 2017 – Dec. 2018

Dedicated full-time support to a family member, taking on a caregiving role during a period of need.
Used time effectively to complete online certifications in Digital Marketing and Project Management through Coursera.
Maintained professional development and industry knowledge by attending webinars and workshops during this period.

Project Manager
EverGreen Agency | Mar 2015 – Jan. 2017

Led cross-functional project teams in developing and executing multi-channel marketing campaigns for clients.
Implemented a project management tool that improved team efficiency by 25% and reduced project turnaround times.
Oversaw the successful rebranding campaign for a key client, resulting in a 40% increase in customer engagement within six months.

How to show employment gaps in your resume profile

You can also address work history gaps in your resume profile.

Sample resume profile addressing work history gaps

"Experienced marketing and project management professional with a proven track record in digital strategy and client consulting. After a brief career pause to care for family, I've since delivered impactful solutions as a freelance consultant for clients like BrightWay Solutions, enhancing my skills through continuous learning and certifications. Ready to bring my diverse experience and strategic approach to a collaborative team."

How to show employment gaps in your skills section

Even your skills section offers opportunities to make your employment gaps work for you. While you don't need to address your gaps here directly, include transferable skills that you earned or practiced while away from the workforce.

Sample skills section showcasing transferable skills:

Skills

Project Management
Digital Marketing
Communication
Problem-Solving
Adaptability

Tips for Discussing Resume Gaps

Now that you know how to place employment gaps on your resume, let's look at how to discuss them in a positive light.

Tip #1

Focus on career growth. Show ways that your time away contributed to your career skills. Show that you stayed current in your field and are ready to rejoin.

Tip #2

Don't hide. Trying to obscure any gaps or your reasons for having them won't help. It's best to show that you made the most of a challenge.

Tip #3

Stay busy. Even if you didn't get a chance to develop your career, the time you spent away should still appear meaningful. Show how you spent that time volunteering, achieving personal goals, or contributing to your family.

Tip #4

Use your cover letter. Your cover letter allows you to provide more detailed context for your resume. While your resume may briefly touch on your gaps, your cover letter can really explain what you were doing, what you accomplished and how it has helped position you for your next role.

Employment Gaps Resume Example

Let's look at a sample resume that makes the most out of resume gaps by showing that the candidate has kept busy and developed their skills.

Use this template

Key Takeaways

Employment gaps are common.

No matter your reason, the gaps on your resume are a part of your story and are nothing to hide from. Employers expect to hear from candidates with gaps, so it's better to explain yourself than to brush past them or hide.
Use your work history to explain your gaps in employment.

In your experience section, acknowledge work history gaps. Try to highlight how these circumstances have bettered your professional or interpersonal skills.
Emphasize growth.

During your time away, show how you kept yourself busy and give the employer a sense of how up-to-date your relevant skills are. Better yet, write a strong cover letter explaining your absence and what you learned in greater detail.

Resources to Help With Your Job Search

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Hailey Brophy is an experienced writer with a diverse career in digital publication. She is passionate about using her unique skills and experiences to help job seekers find the information that they need to succeed.