It is no surprise that many changes have happened during 2020. One of them has been the return of many stay-at-home parents returning back to the workforce. We’ve actually come across many candidates going through a similar transition.
In fact, we had a particular candidate that decided to return back to the workforce after her husband was, unfortunately, let go from his job. And although she was excited about making her big debut back into the legal field, she was worried about one thing – the dreaded gap.
Some of you may be familiar with the term ‘the gap.’ For those who aren’t, it’s when you have a noticeable break between past jobs. It’s common, yet unfortunately stigmatized.
Professionals of all industries can have gaps in their resumes for a variety of reasons: maternity leave, being relocated because of their partner’s job, raising kids, being a caregiver for an unwell family member, etc. Regardless of what it is, it shouldn’t keep anyone from fulfilling their true potential.
So when we were presented with this anxious candidate with a gap in her resume – we did not turn her away. Instead, we coached her. Because all in all, as recruiters, it’s our job to help talented candidates land their dream jobs. And she was indeed very talented but carried the weight of a 5-year hiatus.
So if you or someone you know is also looking to reenter the workforce but is worried about the dreaded gap – consider doing the following:
Any job experience since your last role should be on your resume
Let’s assume you were relocated to another state because of your spouse’s job. And because of that, you had to resign from your previous position. During this time of relocation, you worked as a receptionist at a local gym. Although this is different from what your responsibilities were as a paralegal – it’s still considered work! And you should absolutely include this in your resume. Doing so will not only minimize the gap, but show that you were actively working.
Or perhaps you took a year off to travel. Did you do any freelance work on the side or studies to improve your skills? Showing that you had responsibilities with successful results are worth including in your resume. Although it might feel irrelevant at times, it’s always a great talking point to elaborate on your projects and accomplishments.
And of course, like the candidate we came across recently, being a stay-at-home parent should also be considered a full-time job. Although it’s not necessarily a typical job you would see on a resume, there is nothing wrong with elaborating on the responsibilities and dedication you had in this role.
Bridge the gap strategically
It may be tempting to exaggerate about the tenure you had at a past job to bridge a gap – but beware of the consequences. Recruiters can cross-reference with previous employers to verify dates.
Our suggestion is to “mask” the gap by switching up the date format for job experiences in your resume. For example, instead of saying you were working at Firm A from Jan 2013 – March 2017 and Firm B from Dec 2017 – Jan 2019, say you were at Firm A from 2013 – 2017 and Firm B from 2017 – 2019. That way, the gap appears less noticeable.
Be honest and ready to explain
Regardless of the reason why you have a gap – be honest. Recruiters can tell when you’re lying and can easily verify the information you give them. And because of that, honesty will always be the best policy.
It’s also recommended to use the resume summary and cover letters to emphasize past experiences prior to the gap and how they are still valuable today.
Keep in mind, that many people are experiencing unemployment because of the pandemic. And because of that, more and more professionals are coping with gaps in their resumes. With that said, don’t let a break in your resume keep you from doing what makes you happy. It’s all about how you present it – so do it strategically and wisely!