Job hunts can be agonizingly time-consuming. When you have gaps in your career, these will last much longer. These are always warning flags for recruiting managers, and if you do not explain them, they will assume the worst. They may believe you were fired, had performance problems, or had difficulty being hired due to flaws in your history or candidacy.
In fact, you might have been at home raising children or away from work caring for an elderly loved one. We recommend confronting the gaps head-on and explaining the "why" behind these gaps to prospective employers. How can you go about doing so? Here are some tips offered by resume writing services Canada:
Address it in your cover letter
If you have a difference of a few weeks or even a few months, don't dwell on it too much. However, gaps of more than 4-6 months would almost certainly necessitate an explanation. Although your resume outlines your career highlights, your cover letter is the perfect place to go into more detail about your past, what you're doing throughout your career gap, and also what you gained all along the way.
Discuss how you spent your time
Do you want to know how to re-enter the workforce after a gap? Be forthright about it. For example, if you were a stay-at-home parent with young children, discuss the lessons you learned from running a household, such as organizing and budgeting. Alternatively, if you were caring for a sick loved one, explain how you relied on freelance work and consultancy roles to fill the gap and keep your skill set sharp. Don't forget to have any continuing education seminars or career certifications you've obtained.
Be prepared for interviews
If a recruiting manager plans an appointment with you, be willing to discuss your employment gap, but only if asked. If they do inquire, they may want more information or merely to confirm what you said in your resume and cover letter. Prepare to provide the recruiting manager with the information they need in order to step forward and reflect on your skills as a candidate.
Be honest
Whatever the reason behind your career gap, be open and honest about it. A recruiting manager can easily verify the details you offer, so don't add fictitious dates to fill a gap in your resume or fake volunteer opportunities. Simply be truthful and focus on why an organization should employ you.
Need more guidance on the same? Get in touch with a resume builder now!
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