Is there a gap in your employment history?
Are you unsure how to job search during the gap and how to explain this gap to your potential
employer?
In this video, I will talk about employment history gaps, about ways to approach these
gaps and how to justify them in your job interviews.
Because without an explanation some employers may assume that you are not a committed professional.
I am Marat from EMMOTION, myemmotion.com, Career and Recruitment Services Agency, look
me up on LinkedIn.
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So, is this gap in your employment history really important?
Career break on a resume can indeed be a red flag!
It can make you some lose opportunities.
However the reality is that this gap is as important as YOU want to make it!
There are different scenarios related to employment gaps which I am going to cover.
If your case is that you haven't taken a career break yet, then plan it carefully to ensure
a smooth return to the workforce.
And stick with me until the end, to boost your confidence if you are currently in your
employment gap.
First situation: When you have had gaps or sabbatical leave previously but your are currently
employed.
- What to put on your resume:
If the gap was in the past, and you've been employed since it occurred, you don't need
to call it out on your resume.
It doesn’t mean you should be hiding it, but give out more details in case if you are
asked about it during the interview.
- What to say during the interview:
If you've been in your current role for a year or longer and a potential employer will
be focused on your most recent position, asking you all the related questions.
No need to explain every single gap or why you left every single position and what you
did in between.
This will turn your interview into constantly justifying your expertise.
If you are specifically asked about a gap, you should mention your reasons without getting
in details, always focusing how you wanted to get back to work, once certain “issues”
were sorted.
Continue to the situation 2, where I give a step by step answer.
You are currently in the employment gap.
What to put on your resume:
If you are currently in your employment gap use different way of mentioning the gap, like
using years instead of months.
For example you worked at the X store, from 2018 to 2020 as a Store Manager.
What did you do while you weren't employed?
Did you have a baby?
Did you have to take care of a relative?
Health issues?
Did you freelance or consult?
Was it a sabbatical leave?
How about volunteering?
All those would count as work or as a valid reason for a gap.
Something you can mention on your resume.
Steps to formulate your interview answer if you are currently in the employment gap.
What have you done during a gap?
If you have been looking for a job for a long time and you can discuss how you are looking
for a long term project and not just a paycheck.
Mention everything you have done during the gap:
focus on the efforts you have made while you have been unemployed
discuss any classes you have taken or any volunteer work you got involved in.
Pursuing higher education, volunteering and freelance projects can be very impressive.
All attempts to improve your skills will be viewed in a positive light, it could be a
language class, photography or cooking skills.
2.
Don't overshare Do not share way too much information unless
you feel it’s necessary.
It should be easy for you to read what to say next or whether to share more judging
by the interviewer’s reaction.
The hiring manager doesn’t have to hear every detail of your sabbatical trip Asia
or a sleeping schedule of your little baby, don’t overshare unless you see the enthusiasm
of wanting to hear more about it.
If you faced challenges and were forced to take a gap due to tragedy in a family or health
issues, be careful with too many details also.
If you break down in tears during your interview, which is completely normal while remembering
what you’ve been through, it may seem as you still need some time to grief over things.
It could also affect on your overall confidence during the rest of the interview.
Any of us who have ever lost a family member or have been through a sickness of close person
would show empathy and understanding.
3.
Be confident You HAVE to be 100 percent confident in yourself
and your employment gap explanation.
If you show insecurity in your decision, the hiring manager might feel insecure also.
Don't feel like you have to justify your decision.
Just let the hiring manager know that you've done what you needed to do during your time
off.
Own your decision and explain it clearly and confidently.
Show enthusiasm and being ready for returning to work.
Highlight why this job would be exciting for you and an excellent fit.
4.
Move on There's no reason to dwell on your employment
gap.
It's right there on your resume, but don't feel as if you need to acknowledge it for
more than a minute or two.
Your employment gap is probably a lot shorter than the amount of experience you have.
There's no need to let this brief moment of time define you or what you are capable of
bringing to a company.
Go ahead and move onto your previous experience and all of your accomplishments.
A good way of changing the subject could be asking the employer a question.
Like “What do you like the most about this company?” for example.
Gaps in employment happen, all hiring managers realize this.
If you made it to the interview, they obviously liked your resume.
So when it comes to explaining gaps in employment it’s best to be honest, upfront and optimistic.
Don’t get discouraged if a few companies say they’re not interested.
Those are not companies you would want to work for anyway!
They probably have horrible internal policies, toxic bosses who question every little thing
you do, etc.
If you found this video useful then please give it a thumbs up and share with whoever
you think it might be beneficial to.
Thank you and see you in my next video coming up.