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Not many people have an entirely linear career, where each job marks a different step up the job ladder. This may be down to losing a job, falling ill, travelling or simply deciding not to work for an employer for a while and doing something else instead. Irrespective of the reasons, you’ll need to think about tackling gaps in work experience on a job resume, so as to allay any misgivings an employer may have in considering you as a potential candidate.

Tackling gaps in work experience on a job resume need not be considered as an obstacle in getting the position you want, if dealt with correctly and honestly. The first thing is to explain any unaccounted breaks in your work history. If you don’t, it may lead the reader to believe that you have something to hide. Therefore, in order to gain the employer’s trust it is very important to justify any gaps in your employment history.

When dealing with gaps in work experience on a job resume, any unaccounted period less than three months does not need to be clarified. A time period as short as this isn’t seen as being too out of the ordinary, and often goes unnoticed within a resume. Anything longer than this should be addressed in a cover letter or e-mail. Regardless of what the reasons are for not working, long periods need to be accounted for so as to prevent employers drawing their own conclusions.

Think about any activities you can use to fill these time periods. You might have experience relevant to your target job, regardless of whether you were paid. Volunteer activities, community involvement, special projects, consulting engagements and continuing education can be used as a way of tackling gaps in work experience on a job resume. Volunteer work is not only seen as valid experience by many employers, it also demonstrates that you’ve constructively used you time as well as utilised and possibly gained value skills.

Try to avoid the temptation to leave out months of your employment from your job details. It is far better to give an explanation when dealing with gaps in work experience on a job resume. Even if you’ve held jobs that you may consider aren’t relevant to your desired career choice, include them anyway. In your cover letter, describe why you’ve taken on positions outside of your field to an employer. Whatever the reasons are for breaks the in your professional history, it’s important that you convey a positive attitude in your cover letter and your resume. While you can’t change your work history, always remain positive and demonstrate that you’ve never lost focus on your career.

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