| Chances are you were out of work at one time - or | | | | thorough understanding of domestic and international |
| maybe you are now - either by choice or by someone | | | | trade regulationso Mastered conversational Spanish |
| else's decision for a significant period of time, possibly | | | | and Mandarin Chinese, with specialized knowledge of |
| months. Your work history includes a strong record of | | | | industry terminology |
| accomplishment and you're highlighting those | | | | After the Summary of Qualifications, list your work |
| accomplishments in your resume as you launch a job | | | | history in reverse chronological order, as you would on |
| search. | | | | a conventional resume. Make sure this information |
| But then you come across that time "gap" when you | | | | adequately supports the points you make in the |
| were out of work and wonder: How do I handle this so | | | | Summary. |
| that a hiring manager will look beyond the gap, see my | | | | Your Cover Letter |
| value, and put me on the short list for a job that I | | | | It may or may not be a good idea to address the |
| want? | | | | absence from the workforce in your cover letter. If the |
| Your Resume | | | | gap was in the past, and your more recent work |
| If you were out of the workforce for some time - say, | | | | history has been steady, don't even mention it, but be |
| two to three years or more - it might be tempting to | | | | prepared to explain it in the interview. |
| forgo the traditional chronological resume format, which | | | | However, if you're in the middle of a gap right now, |
| lists work experiences in reverse order by date, in | | | | offer a brief explanation in your cover letter. |
| favor of a functional resume, which emphasizes skills | | | | Remember, the goal is not to give your life story, |
| rather than dates. However, some hiring managers | | | | defend your honor, or reveal personal details. It is to |
| see a strictly functional resume as a sign that you're | | | | minimize any misgivings a hiring manager might have |
| trying to hide something. | | | | about calling you in for an interview. |
| A better option might be a combination of the | | | | In addition, you can emphasize what you did while |
| chronological and functional formats in which you lead | | | | unemployed if it will help your chances of landing the |
| with an Objective (a brief statement explaining the | | | | job. For instance: |
| type of job you're looking for, the relevant skill set you | | | | "I have kept my skills sharp by following industry trade |
| possess, and the kind of organization you want to | | | | journals, networking with former colleagues, taking on |
| work for) and follow it with a Summary of | | | | occasional side jobs for my former employer, and |
| Qualifications or Professional Summary (a listing of | | | | volunteering with two non-profit organizations in my |
| your most relevant and impressive skills, | | | | community." |
| accomplishments, and experience for the job). This | | | | No Shame, No Blame |
| structure gives hiring managers important information | | | | The bottom line is to show the employment gap in the |
| about the breadth and depth of your experience | | | | context of all your positive accomplishments and |
| before they read the experience section (where the | | | | qualifications. Don't assume the gap is anything unusual; |
| gap shows up). | | | | it's not. Be brief, honest, and positive. What you write is |
| For instance, you might structure your resume like this: | | | | less important than how you write it (without |
| OBJECTIVE: To contribute 10 years of management | | | | embarrassment, bitterness, or blame). Your |
| and purchasing expertise to a mid-level manager's role | | | | employment gap is in the past, or soon will be. If your |
| in the procurement department of a growing | | | | resume and cover letter shine light on what you're |
| manufacturing company. | | | | bringing to the new position, the gap will fade into the |
| SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS:o Oversaw | | | | shadows. |
| management and purchasing functions of two | | | | If you follow these general guidelines, you can change |
| corporate procurement organizations, accruing 10 | | | | that resume gap from a potential hindrance to a help. |
| years' full-time experienceo Spearheaded | | | | A potential employer's chief concern is that hiring you |
| implementation of global sourcing strategy that | | | | won't turn out to be a mistake. Help him along by |
| produced $15 million in savings over three years and | | | | showing that you were productive during your |
| garnered two corporate-level awardso Acquired | | | | downtime, learned new skills, and are ready to go. |