Managing Employment History Gaps

May 21, 2007 on 10:37 am | In Cover letter |

We all know that writing a curriculum vitae requires putting your best attributes and skills in order to create the best possible impression on you by a potential employer.  However, there are some issues that you might need to organize in order not to put yourself into embarrassment.  For instance, how should you react when the interviewers asks you about a certain two year gap in your employment history?  Should you tell the truth about you not working or make up a story about going freelance?  And how about the time when you were raising your newly-born infant, would that be detrimental?  Read the following suggestions on how to handle such difficulties.

If the gap is caused by higher studies, do tell –  A common reason for leaving a job is because of pursuing higher education such as a Master or Doctorate degree.  If that is your case, inform your employers.  This is actually seen as beneficial on your part, as it creates an impression that you are striving for higher knowledge and skill.  Remember that having a higher degree of education also entails higher pay.

If the gap is caused by maternity leave, do tell also – If the gap indicates the time period you took for having a child, then tell the employer so without any qualms.  However, be prepared when asked if you plan on having any more babies (in order to judge whether they would drop you again in the near future), in which you could answer “not in the near future” or—better yet—“not anymore.”

If the gap is caused by non-employment, tell them of other work that you have done – Telling your prospective employer that you did not work during those two years may bring a negative impression on you, that you are bummed out.  In this case, you can just tell of what you have done as a professional in order to fill out that void.  For instance, that you have helped your father or any relative set up their business.  You could also inform the employer that you have volunteered to work for a philanthropic cause or that you wanted to be with your family for some time before you started working again (with reasons ranging from a dying grandmother to raising very young children).  Remember to be sure that you have details laid out if the interviewer asks you to elaborate on the matter.

Label your employment history by years – This is especially applicable if you have gaps ranging for a few months.  Simply exclude the exact dates of employment beginnings and commencements and instead indicate the years that you are employed.  In that way, it will not be visible that you did not work for several months in between.

You need to ease the employer’s fears that you may not be dependable on the job, as unexplained gaps may be perceived of your unreliability in work.  It is best to explain the gap as simple and realistic as possible.