Bridging The Gaps On Your Resume
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
If you are one of 14.8 million Americans who are unemployed, you may be dealing with how to explain your absence from the working world to potential employers. No hiring manager likes to see big gaps between jobs, but there are several good explanations that you can offer to minimize the job-gaps on your resume. Follow these tips to avoid gaping holes in your resume. Formatting
You can adjust the formatting of dates to eliminate the appearance of obvious unemployment streaks. For example, change any "Month/Year" references to state only the year.
For example:
| Server: June 2003 - April 2005 Sales Associate: February 2006 - May 2007 |
| Server: 2003 - 2005 Sales Associate: 2006 - 2007 |
Fill In the Blanks
If you do have significant gaps in your resume, it isn't the end of the world. Consider what you did spend your time doing during those periods. Did you volunteer, learn new skills or were there extenuating circumstances that kept you out of the workplace? This can all have a place on your resume if it adequately explains/justifies a prolonged absence.
For example, upon graduating, you may not have been able to get a job right away, but if you volunteered in a position related to your desired field, the mention of it turns a negative gap into a positive sign of devotion to your career path. If you were downsized but spent your time out of work taking classes or freelancing to update your skills, that's another great attribute. Listing these activities helps to paint you as a proactive person who, even if down on your luck job-wise, continues to actively seek ways to improve.
Streamlined Resumes
Don't feel like you have to account for 100% of your time from your childhood on. It is perfectly acceptable (and in many cases, in your best interest) to keep your listed work experience to only those jobs which are relevant to the position you are applying for. If you were out of work for a year during high school, this isn't going to be a big strike against you. Just be sure to include any activities, such as education, that would keep you from working.
Answer Honestly...
If you were let go because of a problem with your performance, and your interviewer asks for specifics, be honest. Explain what the problem was, but focus on what you did to resolve the issue or to ensure it didn't happen again. If you were out of work because of health or personal issues or because of a personal crisis (a parent taking ill or passing away, for example), mention it succinctly and again, focus on what you have done to remedy the problem (or how you are keeping it under control) and how the experience has improved you. Don't feel like you have to volunteer this information, unless it is an extremely obvious gap on your resume and even then, be concise - your employer can always ask if they need more details.
...But Don't Play the Blame Game
Always answer questions concerning sensitive issues diplomatically - no bad-mouthing former employers! Doing so will make your interviewer wonder if you'll do the same thing to them in the future. Before you even submit your resume, make a list of all the gaps you are concerned about and write out what happened, how you resolved it and why it won't happen again. If there was an issue with a former co-worker or boss, don't name names. If there was a personal issue, don't go into detail - simply state the basic facts of what happened and when.
Remember, employers are looking for stable employees, but that doesn't mean issues won't arise. A stable employee is one who can handle the hurdles life puts up and learn from the challenges they presented.
The Bottom Line
Be upfront and confident - life happens. Employers aren't looking for someone who never experiences challenges; rather, they want someone who is capable of handling them. More often than not, the gaps in your resume are nothing to be ashamed of. Just make sure you highlight the positive from every situation.
Something New Called Focus 2!
Focus 2 is a new program here with Career Services! We are very excited about it.
It helps you decide what your major should be!
OR if you have a job you want it tells you what major would be best!
FOCUS-2 is a self-guided, online career and education planning tool for use by college students. It will enable you to assess your interests, values, skills, personality, and aspirations as they relate to careers and college majors. FOCUS-2 is designed to help you choose the best major for you and explore occupations that match your profile. Students who use FOCUS-2 make better decisions about their goals and plans and learn how to manage their careers.
Be sure to check it out today!
Etiquette Tip of the Week:
The exceptional manager hand writes personal notes to his or her staff. Whether a scrawl on a memo or report, a fold over note or on executive monarch statonery, the manager express praise, encouragement and gratitude.
"Your hard work paid off on that presentation -- thank you for all of your efforts."
"Nice job on the event -- we could not have done it without you."
"We all have those days when everything seems to go wrong -- keep your chin up, you are doing a great job."
"I am proud of the progress you have made with the team!"
If the thought enters your head, "I can just do that by email. It would be faster." Stop. Step away from the keyboard, take your finger off the mouse and pick up a pen. Remember the pen? There should be one on your desk somewhere. Write the note BY HAND. This, of course means the exceptional manager will also have to work on handwriting skills.
As you know, it’s polite to give credit where credit is due. Thus these tips are from www.cultureandmanners.com
Events for the Week:
| 11/1-3 | Mentor Interviews |
| | YGCU 210 |
| 11/1 | Nursing Employment Fair |
| | YGCU 221-222 10:30-1 |
| 11/2 | Etiquette Dinner |
| | Embassy Suites 6-8 |
| 11/3 | The Employment Guide’s 2010 Job Fair |
| | NKC Community Center 10-3 |
| 11/15 | AAF-KC Career Day |
| | Uptown Theater 8-5 |
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