This post will explore 3 ways underrepresented professionals can effectively manage gaps on their resume.
When it comes to your resume, unexplained gaps in employment can have an impact on your ability to secure an interview in Canada.
Employment gaps bring an additional layer of stress to job seekers who already feel marginalized in the process. For Black, Brown and traditionally underrepresented professionals, the idea of managing an employment gap on your resume can seem daunting.
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No matter your background, there are countless life events that may require us to take time away from work. From maternity leave to family emergencies, to a move to a new country, there are times in our lives where we might not be able to work for a while.
For plenty of candidates these employment gaps can cause stress and anxiety – and this is rightfully so.
When you’re competing with other qualified candidates, you don’t want to be screened out of the process due to an employment hiatus. Those gaps can be tricky and uncomfortable to explain on your resume.
It’s important to remember that your resume’s purpose is to land you the interview.
With this in mind, here are three ways Black, Brown and traditionally underrepresented job seekers can effectively manage employment gaps on their resume.
Here are 3 Ways to Manage Resume Gaps:
1.Know What A Resume IS and ISN’T
To overcome the challenge of the resume gap, it’s important that we all understand what the intended purpose of a resume is, and what it isn’t.
A resume is intended to summarize the most important information an employer needs to know when they consider a new hire.
A resume is not intended to list every detail of your experience personally and professionally.
From the job seeker’s perspective, the resume is a marketing document which is part of their overall job search campaign.
With this in mind, you can absolutely overcome that gap in your employment history, create an awesome resume and land the interview. For example, you might consider omitting any information around this altogether.
2. Focus On Your Skills
There are lots of different resume styles. There is no hard and fast rule that says your resume must list your employment experience in chronological order. This is simply one approach to resume writing, and probably the most common.
This approach isn’t the best for every single circumstance. Instead of using a chronological resume try creating a functional resume. This type of resume is ideal when you’re dealing with employment gaps.
A functional, or skills focused, resume allows you to group your skills and experiences together to show your capabilities and marketable strengths. Instead of listing your employment history front and center, this type of resume looks a little different.
A functional resume provides a Summary section, outlining your professional experience. It includes a Skills and Accomplishments section where you share your most marketable strengths. This is the most prominent part of the functional resume. You should still include an Employment History section. This can be noted at the end of the document – after the Recruiter has seen what strengths you will bring to the company.
3. Prepare For The Interview
Choosing to focus on your skills and accomplishments doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared to speak to your resume gap during interviews. If you chose to take time off to care for a child, a parent, or move to a new city, be prepared to speak to this.
Have an ‘elevator pitch’ ready so you are comfortable and confident answering questions related to your employment gap.
Keep your response brief and to the point. Always direct the conversation back to why you are excited to be re-entering the workforce and the value you will bring to the position you have applied for.
Remember: resume gaps are a reality. Just because there is a lapse in your employment history doesn’t mean you have less to offer.
Career Interrupted recognizes that every individual and situation is unique. As a job seeker, you have an opportunity to be creative with how you position yourself and experience as an ideal fit for the employer.
A great tactic is to focus on highlighting your strengths on your resume, instead of the more challenging times in your or career. Your resume is a marketing document, after all.
Need more advice on how to make the most of your resume? Check out Things NOT To Say In A Resume In Canada.
With this approach, you’ll be a step closer to feeling confident and landing that interview!
