Employment Gaps: No Big Deal

Let’s be honest: life doesn’t always follow a perfect, straight-line career path. Sometimes you take a break from work, whether by choice or by circumstance, and suddenly there’s a gap in your resume. Employment gaps shouldn’t be dealbreakers, but rather part of your professional journey. In fact, when handled the right way, you can actually make them work for you.

The key is to be honest, thoughtful, and confident about your story. Employers understand that life happens and what they care most about is how you’ve managed challenges, how you’ve grown, and what you bring to the table now. So, let’s talk about how to approach resume gaps without stress and with confidence.

DON’T PANIC: GAPS ARE MORE COMMON THAN YOU THINK

Especially in today’s world, employment gaps are common. Layoffs, caregiving, illness, personal growth, global events—we’ve all seen or lived them. Recruiters and hiring managers aren’t expecting perfection. What they are expecting is honesty, and a clear, positive explanation that helps them trust you. A well-crafted resume tells your story and that includes the parts in between jobs.

WHEN TO INCLUDE (OR SKIP) THE GAP

Short gaps of just a few months? You might not even need to mention them, especially if your resume only lists years not months. Old gaps that happened 10+ years ago and don’t impact your current goals? Probably not worth the space.

Focus on what’s relevant now and what supports the career you want next. For larger or recent gaps, though, it’s better to explain them briefly either in your resume summary, experience section, or in a cover letter. What matters is showing that you stayed engaged, learned something, or are ready to jump back in.

REASONS FOR GAPS—AND WHAT THEY CAN SHOW

Here are some common (and totally valid) reasons people step away from work, along with how to reframe them in a positive, skills-focused light:

1.      Caregiving or Family Responsibilities

Maybe you took time off to care for a new baby, support a sick relative, or manage a household. These are not just personal sacrifices, they can highlight your time management, communication, and problem-solving skills, among others.

Example:

“Took time away from the workforce to provide full-time care for an elderly parent, coordinating medical care and managing household finances. Ready to return to the workforce with renewed focus and strong organizational skills.”

2.      Job Loss and Extended Job Search

Job loss happens, and taking time to find the right role is understandable. What matters is how you used that time and if it took time to find the right role, that’s okay. Explain your job move and emphasize what you did during the gap and highlight what skills you learned or how it helped you grow professionally.

Example:

“Following a department-wide layoff, used this time to upskill in data analytics through online courses and actively networked in industry forums. Took on a freelance project that improved a client’s reporting process.”

3.      Medical Leave or Personal Health

Your health matters, and responsible adults take care of themselves. If you took time off to heal physically or mentally, a brief, confident explanation is all that’s needed.

Example:

“Took a medical leave to address a health issue that has since been resolved. Now fully recovered and eager to contribute with renewed energy and perspective.”

4.      Relocation

Sometimes you move across the country or even the world, whether for a partner’s job, a lifestyle change, or family needs. Highlight the planning, productivity, and adaptability involved.

Example:

“Relocated to support a family move and used the transition period to complete a remote certification in project management and connect with the local professional community.”

5.      Personal Projects or Passion Pursuits

Perhaps you wrote a book, launched a blog, helped a friend build a small business, or renovated a house. These things show creativity, initiative, and independence.

Example:

“Pursued a personal passion for design, managing a full renovation project and documenting the process for a growing blog audience. Honed skills in budgeting, marketing, and networking.”

6.      Travel or Sabbatical

A career break for travel can be more than a vacation. It can help broaden your worldview and improve your communication and planning abilities.

Example:

“Traveled internationally for six months, managing logistics, budgeting, and cultural immersion in multiple countries. Returned with expanded global perspective and renewed drive.”

7.      Formal Education or Certification

 Going back to school or earning a certification shows dedication and growth. Be sure to list the program and what you learned.

Example:

“Completed a full-time certificate in UX Design to deepen my digital skillset and transition into a more user-centered design role.”

8.      Professional Development and Upskilling

Even if you weren’t in school, maybe you used online platforms to take relevant courses or learn new skills and tools. This shows your initiative.

Example:

“During a career pause, completed several LinkedIn Learning courses on leadership, Excel, and remote team management. Ready to apply these tools to benefit a new organization.”

9.      Volunteering and Community Involvement

Volunteer work can be rich with transferable skills: leadership, teamwork, planning, communication, and more. If you were giving back to your community, that says a lot about your values and your abilities.

Example:

“Volunteered with a local nonprofit to coordinate fundraising events, manage donor communications, and support community outreach. Gained valuable experience in event planning, stakeholder relations, and CRM tools.”

FRAMING GAPS IN A POSITIVE, CONFIDENT WAY

When talking about gaps, focus less on what you were missing and more on what you were gaining. Did you learn something? Did you build skills that make you a stronger, more empathetic, more organized employee? Did the time away give you clarity about what you want next?

It’s okay to be brief in your explanation, no need to overshare. But do speak clearly and positively. A resume line or two, plus a sentence in your cover letter, can go a long way. And if it comes up in an interview, smile and own it.

SHOW THAT YOU’RE READY TO RETURN

If your gap is recent or ongoing, be sure to demonstrate your readiness to work. Mention any current training, volunteer work, freelance gigs, or just a clear statement that you’re excited and prepared to get back in the game.

FINAL THOUGHTS: OWN YOUR STORY

Everyone’s career path is different and that’s a good thing. A gap in your resume doesn’t define your value or your future. What matters is your honesty, your growth, and how you show up now.

So instead of hiding the gap, be accountable. Highlight what you learned. Show what you’re capable of. And walk into that next opportunity with confidence because like other life challenges, gaps don’t stop great careers. They help shape them.

Photo by: Brett Jordan on Unsplash