Employment Gaps – Proactive Disclosure
In follow-up to my recent articles on job search and employment, I would like to address the issue of ‘gaps’ in your employment within both your cover letter and resume submission. Having a gap in your employment history is a natural occurrence, and should not dissuade you in any way from applying for positions that you feel are a ‘good fit’ with your professional background and career aspirations.
When you are sending out your resume to a prospective employer, naturally you will lead with a well-written cover letter. Your cover letter should outline your interest in the position, and reflect how your background and personality profiles lend themselves to a good fit for the role with their firm.
Human Resources and hiring managers are absolutely inundated with resumes on a daily basis, and therefore the importance of the ‘cover letter’ cannot be stressed enough. The cover letter is what will draw the interest of the reader, and encourage them to review your attached resume for further consideration.
When you have a ‘gap’ in your employment history, I would suggest that you take a proactive approach and disclose the reasons for the gap, by honestly and succinctly, explaining the reasons for it. Perhaps you were keeping up to speed in your profession or industry by taking Internet training, attended courses, worked on temporary assignments, a newborn joined your family, or possibly, you were taking care of an elderly family member, etc.
By being upfront and providing this information, the prospective employer will be comforted by the fact that you ‘stayed in the loop’ through various means of networking, kept up-to-date with your skills, particularly in technology: either by upgrading your skills or perhaps learning new tools and software.
This also shows the prospective employer that you come from integrity, and are honest and sincere in your desire to be selected for an interview for their opportunity.
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Thanks for this post! I was recently left unemployed and found myself learning new software and making websites. A job unrelated to my actual career. Your ideas have given me clear and precise answers to my questions and to those same questions employers ask while interviewing. Thanks a milion!