example of employment gap in resume

Employment Gap on a Resume - 13 Simple Ways to Explain It

Employment gaps are not uncommon, yet they’re quite scary. Mainly, that’s because recruiters assume the worst when they see them on a resume. 

In most cases, however, employment gaps are nothing to be scared of. There can be many justifiable reasons why someone has an employment gap, from going back to school and deciding to travel to taking time and caring for their growing children. 

So what we’re getting to here is this: employment gaps are not a big deal, as long as you know how to explain them well on your resume

To learn how to explain an employment gap on a resume, we’ve put together this guide for you. Here’s what we’ll cover:

13 Best Ways to Explain Employment Gaps

• Good Reasons for an Employment Gap

Sample Resume with Employment Gap

And more! So let’s dive right in! 

During your job hunt , you’ll have three separate chances to explain an employment gap:

• On your resume
• On your cover letter
• During your interview

To best convey the employment gap (and reasons behind it), you’ll need to touch on it in all 3. So below, we’ll explain the best way to explain an employment gap on your resume, cover letter, and during an interview:

6 Ways to Explain an Employment Gap on Your Resume

#1. be honest .

Your resume is the first thing that recruiters check, so it’s crucial that you’re honest! 

After all, you don’t want to omit a two-year-long employment gap from your resume, for example, only to have it be revealed during your interview. 

As such, it’s super important that you’re honest about your employment history - or lack thereof - right there on your resume. 

What’s important here is to understand that potential employers will find out about your employment gap - especially if it was a lengthy or recent one. As such, trying to hide it will only damage your application and give recruiters even more reason to believe you have something to hide. 

And, if you’re feeling anxious about it, remember that recruiters are also humans and will probably be understanding if you are straightforward about your employment gap - and about what caused it! 

#2. Remove the Employment Gap (If It’s Outdated)

Here’s some good news: if your employment gap is old, you can safely omit it from your resume entirely.

Say, for example, your employment gap is from 10 years ago. Chances are - especially if you’re a seasoned professional - that you won’t even be including jobs from 10 years ago on your resume. After all, you want your resume to be as relevant as possible (and stay within the recommended 1-page resume length). 

As such, it’s totally OK to omit employment gaps that stretch long before your recent employment history (or that are quite short, like 6-month-old employment gaps while you were between jobs). 

#3. Explain the Gap

When it comes to resumes, simply writing down the dates of your employment gap won’t cut it - it would only leave things open to recruiters’ interpretation. 

Take the following example:

Work Experience

Digital Marketer  Airfield Baumax  02/2012 - 04/2015

Marketing Assistant  Walmart 05/2007 - 07/2009 

The only thing that this candidate makes clear to recruiters is that he was not working for a 3-year period. Apart from that, recruiters have no way of knowing whether the employment gap was due to a valid reason or because the candidate decided to be a couch potato for some years.

This is why it’s better to actually write out the exact reason for the employment gap in-between your work experience entries.

Here’s an example that does it right:

07/2009 - 01/2012

From September 2009 to January 2012, I backpacked through Europe and East Asia. This had long been a goal of mine to achieve before turning 30.

#4. Take Advantage of a Different Resume Layout

If your employment gap is longer than just a few short months, you could benefit from using a different resume layout altogether. 

For example, the functional resume format and the combination format put more emphasis on your skills and competencies rather than on your work experience, which is a great way to shift focus from your employment gap. 

That said, taking advantage of a different resume layout does not mean you should omit the employment gap from your resume altogether . Lying is never the right way to go here, and will always end badly for you (even if you manage to get the job).

#5. Use Your Time Away Effectively 

If you’re suddenly in between jobs and are worried about how this will reflect on your future job applications, get proactive! 

Instead of simply explaining your future employment gap as a “career break” or “job searching,” start a personal project and create something more valuable to put on your resume. 

For instance, you can join one or more online courses related to your profession while you’re on a break from work, or start that project you always wanted to work on but never had the chance to! 

That way, you’ll have much more to talk about than simply stating you were looking for jobs or taking a self-discovery break and you’ll be effectively showing recruiters that you’re constantly growing - even outside the office!

#6.  Show That You Never Stopped Learning 

Highlighting your skills and acquired knowledge is also a great way to cover past employment gaps. Sure, you might’ve not been working, but you could’ve still been working on developing yourself as a professional or individual.

You could, for example, mention something like this on your resume to address your employment gap:

06/2012 - 09/2013

Took a year off my career to focus on personal and professional development. Over the duration of the year, I managed to:

• Start my own marketing blog.
• Read 20+ books about digital marketing.
• Attended 5+ networking events.

3 Ways to Explain Employment Gaps in Cover Letters

Want to go more in-depth into your employment gap? Your cover letter is your chance to do so. 

Unlike your resume, which barely leaves you 2-3 sentences worth of space to explain yourself, you can be way more comprehensive in your cover letter . 

Specifically, you can use the body of your cover letter to give more details about your employment gap.

Here are the best ways to do it:

• Give a valid explanation. The whole point of mentioning your employment gap on your cover letter is to justify it the best way you can. For example, if you had an accident, writing “took 1 year off work because of injury” won’t be as convincing as writing “took 1 year off work after a car accident that required me to do intense physiotherapy sessions to fully recover.” 
• Highlight new skills . Additionally, it’s super important to highlight any new skills acquired during your time off. The good thing about the cover letter is that you have a better chance of explaining the skills and what motivated you to acquire them (e.g. “due to organizational changes, I was laid off from my previous job. However, I used the time it took me to find a new job to catch up on industry-related trends and readings, get online certifications, and network with professionals in the field.”) 
• Don’t overshare. Last but not least, it’s important to know that just because you have more space on your cover letter it doesn’t mean you should overshare the details of your employment gap. If, for instance, you took a one-year break to deal with burnout , you don’t have to give too many details about how that went. So, instead of writing, “took a year off to recuperate from burnout, during which time I consulted 3 different therapists and several support groups,” you can just write “took one year off work to deal with work-related burnout and re-asses my professional goals.” If you think it’s important to share more information, talk about how you grew professionally not about what you went through personally. 

4 Ways to Explain Employment Gaps in Interviews 

If your resume and cover letter make a good impression, chances are you’ll be called for an interview. And, even if you have already explained your employment gap, there’s nothing keeping recruiters from asking you again about it. 

Here’s what you can do to address an employment gap during your interview effectively:

• Rehearse in advance. Your best bet is assuming that you will be asked about your employment gap. That way, you can take the time to prep your answer in advance and won’t be taken back if recruiters actually ask the questions during the interview . 
• DON’T badmouth your former employer. If your employment gap is due to getting fired, bashing your former employer won’t help you get a new position - if anything, it might make you look immature. Instead, try to highlight all the steps you took to bounce back from getting fired and show recruiters why you’re the ideal candidate for this position.
• Focus on what you did right. Now, if you lost your job unjustly (or due to reasons outside of your control), the way to make a great impression is to focus on how you were a stellar employee before the employment gap! That way, you can shift recruiters’ attention to your strengths, instead of simply telling them you lost your job and there wasn’t much you could do about it.
• Be confident. Sometimes, how you say things is just as important as what you say. If recruiters ask that you elaborate on your employment gap and you suddenly get super nervous about it, you’ll probably raise some serious red flags. So, make sure to polish your communication skills in advance and start your interview with a show of confidence. 

Here is an example of how you can address your employment gap during an interview:

Unfortunately, I lost my job due to cuts within the company. During the time I was looking for jobs, I took online courses to hone my skills, stayed updated with all industry trends and developments, and focused on my mental wellbeing. I am now in perfect shape to put all I learned into practice throughout my new endeavors. 

7 Good Reasons For an Employment Gap

There can be countless reasons behind an employment gap and, as long as it’s not related to something like, say, jail time, it shouldn’t hinder your chances of getting employed.

That said, here are some great examples of good reasons for an employment gap:

• Family reasons. Family is super important and most recruiters are guaranteed to be understanding if your employment gap is due to family-related issues. What’s important here is to show that whatever family reason you had for taking time off work, it’s over now (e.g. if you took time off to raise your kids, make a point explaining they’re all grown up and off to school now).
• Self-discovery. Did you take some time off work to redefine your life path and career choices? That’s totally OK - as long as you can convince recruiters that you now have your answers and won’t be leaving this job again after a year or two.
• Illness. Any illness you may have suffered that’s hindered you from working is a totally legitimate reason to explain your employment gap. Just make sure to mention you’re recovered and fully able to work.
• Injury. Just like with illnesses, injuries that render you incapable of work are perfectly fine reasons to explain an employment gap, so mention them without hesitation.
• Failed business or initiative. You may be hesitant to mention a failed startup or business initiative as the reason behind your employment gap, but there’s no reason to! If anything, it shows you have initiative and aren’t scared to act on it. So, as long as you show recruiters how you bounced back, you shouldn’t hide this valid reason.
• Burnout. The World Health Organization defines burnout as an occupational phenomenon that can take a serious toll on someone’s physical and mental health. As such, don’t hesitate to tell recruiters that you took some time off to improve your well-being after experiencing burnout in the workplace .
• Education. No one minds an employee who’s always looking to expand their knowledge, so if you took a break from work to get another degree, go ahead and mention that on your resume.

7 Other Resume Resources

Building a strong resume is hard enough without having to explain an employment gap. Struggling with other aspects of building a resume? Check out some of our top resources: 

• How to Write a Resume . The ULTIMATE beginner’s guide on how to make a resume in 2024. Includes tops of tips, resume examples, and more.
• Free Resume Templates . Want to avoid the hassle of formatting your resume from scratch? Just pick one of our 8 free resume templates and get started with your resume within minutes.
• Career Change Resume . Is your employment gap due to a career change? Learn how to write an awesome career change resume with these 9+ examples.
• What to Put on a Resume . Here are the most important sections to put on your resume and win the job.
• Resume Tips and Tricks . This article covers every single practical resume tip you’ll ever need to create a compelling CV.
• Essential Resume Skills . Want to stand out from other applicants? You’ll need to include the right skills on your resume. This article covers the most in-demand skills in 2024.
• Resume Examples . Struggling to write a resume for your field? This article covers resume examples for almost all popular roles in 2024, including jobs in IT, marketing, healthcare, and more.

FAQ on Employment Gaps 

Do you still have some questions on everything employment gap-related? Find your answers below!

#1. How long is too long of an employment gap?

Any employment gap on your resume that you can’t explain to recruiters can cast a shadow on your job application. 

That said, shorter periods of employment gaps (e.g. time between jobs, illness or injury recovery, etc.) are much more acceptable than, say, 3-year-long gaps in your recent work history. 

So, while there is no specific time limit for a super long employment gap, the longer it is, the harder it will be for recruiters to ignore it.

#2. Is an employment gap bad?

That entirely depends on the reason behind your employment gap. 

If your employment gap is due to illness, failed business, family emergency, and the like, then an employment gap is definitely not bad! All you need to do is be honest with the recruiters and prove that you’re a trustworthy employee. 

That said if your employment gap comes from less socially acceptable reasons, like serving time for a crime or being away in rehab, your employment gap will be more difficult to explain - and, in turn, can be more harmful to your job application.

#3. How do you explain a gap in employment due to being a stay-at-home parent?

Taking time off work to be a stay-at-home parent falls under family-related reasons for an employment gap. 

The best way to explain such an employment gap is to write down the exact period you were off, titling it as a “planned career break.” Underneath, you can include one or two sentences on why you took it (e.g. took three years off work to care for my growing children, who are now in elementary school). 

On top of that, you can also mention any personal projects or other work-related experiences you had over that period. For example, if you took some online classes or started a personal project, that’s a great way to inform recruiters that you weren’t completely idle during your employment gap.

#4. How do you explain a gap in employment due to COVID-19?

The COVID-19 pandemic cost 114 million people to lose their jobs over 2020. So, if you were infected and quarantined due to COVID-19 (or if you were unlucky and had more severe health issues due to the virus), then note that on your resume as an “illness-related employment gap” or simply due to COVID-19.  

In one or two sentences, you can explain you had to take a break from work due to COVID-19 and that you’re now fully recovered and ready to work again.

Similarly, if you were working for a business that got impacted due to COVID-19 (such as an airline company) you can, in one sentence, mention you were laid off due to the impact of the pandemic and mention what you did in the meanwhile to find a job or hone your skills. 

#5. Why do employers not like gaps in employment?

Employers don’t like gaps in employment when said gaps are due to criminality, abuse or addiction, or simple laziness. In such a case, employers assume you’re not a reliable employee and that you may demonstrate the same patterns of behavior while working for them.

On the other hand, if there is a reasonable explanation for your employment gap, employers won’t think twice about hiring you, as long as you’re a good fit for the job.

Key Takeaways 

And that’s a wrap! By now, you should know everything about employment gaps and how to tackle them so they don’t hurt your job application.

Before you go, here are the main points covered in this article:

• There are three places where you can explain an employment gap: on your resume, cover letter, and during your job interview. 
• To explain an employment gap on a resume, be honest, elaborate on the gap, show that you never stop learning, or use a different resume layout to remove the gap altogether. 
• Explain an employment gap on your cover letter by highlighting new skills and offering a valid explanation as to why you took it. 
• If you have to explain your employment gap during your interview, rehearse in advance, show confidence, and don’t badmouth your former employer. 
• Some valid reasons for an employment gap are family reasons, illnesses, and injuries, taking time to discover yourself or pursue your education, and even a failed business.

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How to Explain Gaps in Employment (With Examples)

By Biron Clark

Published: November 8, 2023

Interview Preparation | Resume/CV

Biron Clark

Writer & Career Coach

Explaining gaps in employment can be intimidating, but there are a couple of effective methods you can use. In this article, I’m going to show you how to explain employment gaps in your interviews, resume and cover letter … with word-for-word examples and sample explanations.

Let’s get started with the interview first…

Explaining Gaps In Employment In Your Interview

Explaining gaps in employment is really just about knowing what reasons are okay to share, and which ones you should tell a white lie about or not share. And then being upfront and comfortable with your answer.

These are all good sample reasons for having a gap in employment:

• Caring for a sick family member
• Caring for a young child
• Any medical or health issue
• Taking time off to relocate and find a job in a new state/city
• Pursuing further education or going back to school
• Pursuing any other type of professional training
• Taking time off to travel, study, work on a solo project, etc.
• Trying to start a business or freelance career
• You were laid off , your former company downsized, etc… and you had trouble finding a job after
• You were actively searching but had trouble finding a job (NOTE: I’ll cover this in detail later but you need to make it sound like you were being selective in your job search and waiting to find the RIGHT fit. That sounds a *lot* better than saying, “I was looking everywhere but couldn’t find a single company that would consider hiring me!”

Once you have your reason prepared… Here are the general steps to follow when explaining gaps in employment in the interview: 

• Explain the situation clearly but briefly. They don’t need a ton of personal details. Just give them the core facts.
• Show that the situation has ended or is no longer a factor, so they won’t be worried you’ll have to take another break from working. If they hire you, they want to know you’re 100% ready to work for them.
• Reiterate your interest in their position and bring the focus back onto this job interview and this position.

Examples Of How To Explain Employment Gaps In An Interview:

Sample explanation 1:

I had to resign from my previous position to care for an aging family member. I did this for the past year. Since then, my siblings and I have hired a full-time caregiver so I no longer need to be present, and am fully available to work now and in the future. So I’ve begun job searching and I’m focused on finding a sales supervisor or manager position that will help me advance my career further now.

Sample explanation 2:

I was laid off nine months ago. I started my job search immediately after, and I’m looking for sales supervisor or sales manager positions now to continue advancing my career. I’ve had a number of interviews but haven’t found the right fit yet. One thing I’m looking for is a chance to mentor and train team members, and manage a team directly. I saw that mentioned on the job description for this position… can you tell me more about that?

Two Things To Remember When Answering:

1. You need to sound like an in-demand job candidate…

If you’re explaining a current gap in employment, you need to sound like you’re being selective and that you’re focused on making sure you find the best fit for the long term, rather than just accepting the first job you come across. That’ll make a 6 month gap (or longer) sound a bit better. If you’ve been job hunting during your employment gap, you don’t want it to sound like you haven’t had a single interview in the last few months. That’s never a good idea. If your gap in employment is related to health, travel, a family member’s health, etc…. then it’s fine to say you haven’t had any interviews.

2. Be upfront and honest…

Gaps in employment happen, and good hiring managers will realize this. If you’ve made it into the interview, there’s obviously something they liked on your resume . So when it comes to explaining gaps in employment it’s best to be honest and upfront.

You probably won’t lose out on the job by explaining the situation. You will definitely lose out on the job by lying or seeming like you’re trying to cover something up.

Explaining Gaps In Employment On Your Resume

Okay, maybe you’re still writing your resume or having trouble getting interviews. How do you explain gaps in your employment on your resume so you can GET interviews in the first place?

Here are a few ways you can explain (or hide) gaps in employment:

• List years instead of months for previous positions. (e.g. “2014-2016”). I’ve used this method in the past when I had a couple of small gaps between jobs (by a small gap, I mean 2-3 months maximum). This won’t work if you have too many gaps though, or gaps longer than one year.
• If your gaps are longer or more frequent, consider providing a brief note on the resume listing your reason for the gap in employment. Just list it like any other job. Put your previous positions with the dates you held them. And for your gap, you’d have dates there too, and a one-line explanation (“I took a hiatus from work in order to care for an elderly family member in need”).

If you use these strategies, consider going onto LinkedIn and making the same changes there too. If these options don’t work for you, write a cover letter ! This is a good idea no matter what. In your cover letter, explain what happened in detail and draw their attention to the gap so that you can tell them the full story instead of allowing them to make assumptions (you’re usually better off attacking controversial topics head-on).

That’s how I’d explain gaps in employment on a resume. Also, nobody can tell you with 100% certainty what will work in your industry, with the specific circumstances of your gap in employment (dates, length, reason for the gap, etc.)

So TEST things out. Send out 10 resumes one way, and if nobody’s responding, change something up. If it’s not working, you can’t just keep doing the same things on auto-pilot. That’s how you end up not finding a job .

It’s usually better to be upfront than hide employment gaps

I always give the same resume advice to candidates with gaps in their work history: Be straightforward rather than trying to hide dates or other pieces of information. Hiring managers are usually going to be able to tell if you’re hiding something. Your resume should feature a chronological work history on the first page that includes job titles, company names, key responsibilities for each role, and yes… dates of employment.

No matter what you do, there are some employers out there who won’t like the fact that you have a gap in your employment. That’s okay… Companies like that aren’t worth your time. We’re human. Things happen. And there’s more to life than working nonstop for 40 years. So don’t get discouraged if a few companies say they’re not interested, or just don’t respond. I guarantee those are the same companies you do NOT want to work for anyway because they’re going to have horrible vacation policies, bosses who question you every time you take a sick day, etc.

Note: These Tips and Sample Explanations Will Also Work on Job Applications

Sometimes a job application will say, “please explain any gaps in employment.” The advice resume advice above also work for job applications. Follow the same “rules”, be clear and upfront, and you’ll be fine when applying for jobs.

The one adjustment I’d recommend making on job applications (and cover letters): Be clear and direct, but don’t give too much information. The only goal of your job application is to get you into the interview. If they’re concerned about employment gaps, they can ask more in the interview. And that’s where you should be very honest/open and explain things further. That’s where you can gauge their reactions, decide how much to share based on their responses, etc. You can’t do this in a written explanation.

So, by writing too much info on a job application, you might do more harm than good. It’s better to discuss this type of thing in person, so  limit your explanation to 1-2 sentences for each gap in employment on your job applications, cover letters, etc. 

Final Advice on How to Explain Gaps in Employment:

Don’t be apologetic about your work history. Taking time off is not something to be ashamed of. Not every company will want to interview you, but some will. Stand by your decisions and choices, present your skills with a straightforward (chronological) resume format , and be ready to answer questions and explain yourself further in the job interview.

Related reading:

• What to do when you can’t find a job in your field
• How to answer “Why did you leave your last job?”

About the Author

Read more articles by Biron Clark

20 thoughts on “How to Explain Gaps in Employment (With Examples)”

Monster’s report The Future of Work 2021 has shown that the employment gap is no longer considered a red flag by almost half of employers in the US. That’s a piece of good news because it indicates that the marketplace is becoming more tolerant of deviance in the workforce.

However, it doesn’t mean that the black holes on your career record will be overlooked. Rather, they will be carefully examined and objectively evaluated so that the right candidates are not going to slip through the cracks just because of an obsolete prejudice.

I’m in the same situation, was an IT contractor for a number of years, then jobs fell away after year 2000 work had finished, and employers would no longer consider me for permanent jobs due to the fact i’d been a contractor, I guess they assumed I’d just leave when the market picked up!

Long story short, mortgage to pay, no income, had to sell my house and downsize to a flat, and then used that to go into property development with friends which has now finished, and now trying to go back to my original career of software development, seems like an uphill impossible task at the moment, but glad to read your advice even if my “career break” is 18 years!

I’ve done a lot of similar temporary jobs, but had several months gap in the middle of them nearly everytime. I’ve had dozens of interviews everytime, always get them easily. Struggle with the interviews though because I have Aspergers’. When I have been successful with that before as soon as I’ve mentioned my Epilepsy I have very mildly too, several places have changed their minds then, stopped me. I keep getting asked more + more now why I’ve got so many long employment gaps, how am I supposed to answer that in a positive way?

I thought it was interesting that you didn’t list caring for young children as a valid reason for a gap in employment. Your tips were still helpful to me, though.

Good point. That’s also a valid reason (and a common one).

Thank you for posting this, I have a ton of different jobs and gaps because being a ex pipe welder I went where the work was, most of the world does not get it. Life is a roller coaster companies will be booming for a couple years then dead as a door nail. This write up really has helped me not to make my crazy work history look so crazy.

Why don´t you just say Sabbatical ? Regardless how long the gap was it provides a plausible explanation and each one fill out with their own reasons…

i have gap of 9 month due to my previous company boss is horrible ,its very much difficulty to survive, so i had reign and taken break of six month ,from last 3 month i have given interview but its not happening so what i suppose to give reason for gap. can you explain can you explain.

Thanks for the nice article. But I am looking for more the answers of where to write this gaps explanations in our cv. My current CV sections are sunsequently like, Experiences, Educations, Technical skills and language skills, Certifications. So I have currently two 6 months gap in my CV. First one was before I started to my current job. I learned german, So I was in intensive german course. Other 6 months is after my last job. And I was preparing for the some certification exams through self study and online courses. So the question, to which section should I write this gap explanations. Thanks a lot for the answers

If you’re explaining a gap in employment, you should write it in your employment history. You should have a section with your chronological work history. I know other people recommend a “Functional” resume and all sorts of other stuff to hide gaps but in my experience, it doesn’t work. You should be listing each previous role and job duties in chronological order, with the dates. (You can choose to show months and years, or just years). And then you can put something to explain gaps of employment right in that section of your resume.

Thanks Biron Clark for the answer. As I understood you right you adviced me to write my gap explanations directly to work experiences section even though they are not work experience actually. Correct me if I understood wrong. But what about writing them to directly their own section. For example I have a section in the second page of my CV which is “language skills” So I have here just written english (business fluent), german (business fluent). Can I put that times combining near it. like below English (business fluent) German (business fluent), MM/YYYY – MM/YYYY German Course…..

or are you still offering me to write in employment history? Thanks for the ideas

I haven’t yet found the situation that applies to me, for good reason – I had taken a leave of absence to pursue a master’s degree. My mother had been ill with cancer, and was in remission, and I had the opportunity, so I went. Before I was able to complete my thesis, the cancer returned, and she died. I was devastated, and needed to take time away from teaching, because I couldn’t give students what they needed. So, though I had found another job teaching, I wasn’t able to do it, and they released me from my contract. I had only taught for a couple of weeks. After a year, I decided that I needed a longer break, and I obtained my real estate broker’s license. Since that time, I have sold real estate, although I have also been a substitute teacher – one year, I subbed the entire year with another teacher. We split the position. It saved the district money, since they didn’t have to pay benefits with two half-time teachers. The year after, I taught half days for several weeks for a teacher with a bad back problem, and I’ve subbed occasionally since then. Now, I want to go back to teaching. I’m ready now. My grief over the death of my mother is complicated, and it really devasted me. I needed the time away from teaching, because it requires everything you have to give, and I needed time to heal. I have 19 years’ experience as a teacher, and I’ve accomplished some things I’m very proud of. I am now applying for teaching positions, and I need a way to explain the past 5.5 years away from teaching full-time without sounding maudlin, or whiny.

This was really handy, thank you.

Hello! I have been unemployed for 9 months. I left my company where i had worked for 4 years to take another offer. Unfortunatey, I did leave this new position afte over 1 month. The main reason is that it doesn’t fit with me as I had thought of it. I don’t know how to explain my employmen gap for the past 9 months positively. I feel very uncomfortable and hopeless.

“You were laid off, your former company downsized, etc… and you had trouble finding a job after”

That’s pretty much why I’m not employed for now. And yet no one wants to even interview me.

I have periods of “good” jobs I would be happy to include on my resume followed by low-level jobs that would get my resume tossed. These cycles correlate to how well I have been able to deal with my depression. I have been leaving those lower-level jobs off my resume and trying to explain away the gaps instead without referring to depression as an issue that has surfaced more than once. I feel fine at the moment, but this is a big problem moving forward.

I would really like advice on how to deal with this situation without lying or oversharing!

Hello, I totally agree with Kero. Indeed, there is more to life than working nonstop for 40 years. I appreciate for your article, now I feel more confident.

Hi !! I just want to say thank you for providing this article and share it with all of us . Im out of job for almost 2 years already despite had a good career background but after continue searching there is no luck so far . Im really touched by the last part of this “So don’t get discouraged if a few companies say they’re not interested, or just don’t respond. I guarantee those are the same companies you do NOT want to work for anyway because they’re going to have horrible vacation policies, bosses who question you every time you take a sick day, etc.” …The moment I read that I burst into tear. So thank you again to at least cheer me up and have hope again .

Thanks for taking the time to write this. I’m really happy to hear this helped you.

Comments are closed.

• English (UK)

How to Explain Employment Gaps on Resumes [25 Tips]

Resume gaps are embarrassing and they can keep you from getting hired. How can you show you’re not a slacker? See this sample resume with gaps in employment and get hired fast.

You’re about to see a great sample resume with gaps in employment.

But first—

Resume gaps can hurt your hiring chances and make employers wonder.

“Is she an alcoholic? Flighty? Depressed? A convict?”

Let’s dispel that.

You can prove you’re worthy—even with employment gaps on a resume.

You just need to show there’s no gap in your skills .

In this guide:

• A sample resume with gaps in employment better than most.
• How fill in employment gaps on resumes convincingly.
• Employment gaps on resume examples for sabbaticals, illness, death, depression, soul-searching, and career change.
• How to explain gaps in employment on resumes so you get hired.

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Sample Resume with Gaps in Employment You Can Copy and Use

Jamie Kubat

IT Project Manager

Personal Info

Phone: 619-850-1396

E-mail: [email protected]

linkedin.com/in/jamiezkubat

twitter.com/jamiezkubat

Resourceful IT project manager with 4+ years of experience and 10 years of business experience. Seeking to increase IT project efficiency at Aegisdyne. At Ermschwender Aerospace, managed 200+ projects with Oracle Primavera P6. Slashed meeting times by 10 hrs/wk for each of 10+ engineers, saving $300,000 per year. Trained 3 IT staff.

Sabbatical, 2017–present

• Took time off to be with family after loss of child.
• Founded Southern California Chapter of Butterfly Legacy Foundation.
• Handled all accounting and budgeting. Raised donations 50% in 1 yr.

Ermschwender Aerospace

2013–2017

• Developed system to raise efficiency of requirements management. Slashed 10 meeting hours a week for 10+ engineers.
• Managed 200+ projects with Oracle Primavera P6.
• Onboarded and trained 3 new IT hires.
• Worked with 10+ cross-functional teams to cut costs 20%.
• Facilitated integration of customer software into our workflow. Contributed to 25% increase in repeat business.

Data Administrator

2009–2013

• Raised documentation efficiency 43% through automation.
• Administered two AS9100 certified databases with zero downtime.

BS Computer Science, Soka University of America

2005–2009

• Upsilon Pi Epsilon Honor Society.
• Excelled in process development classes.

Additional Activities

• Dedicated mother of two.
• Mentor 15+ IT professionals.
• Teach yoga 2x per week.

Conferences

• 2019 — Pink 19 — Led presentation on creating custom software.
• 2017 — IBM Think
• 2016 — tabGeeks

Hard Skills:  Project management, requirements management, Oracle Primavera P6, process development, user acceptance testing

Soft Skills:  Leadership, interpersonal skills, communication, collaboration

That sample resume with employment gaps does one thing:

It shows the gap fast, with proof you used key skills (check out our list of sample  skills to put on a resume ).

Does the employment gap on your resume come from a career change? See this guide: Resume for a Career Change

Are you writing a resume for a specific career? See our step-by-step resume samples and guides for dozens of professions . 

Now here’s how to fill employment gaps in your resume:

1. Be Honest When Explaining Employment Gaps on Resumes

Just want the quick and dirty facts?

Here are the topline info for resume employment gaps on a resume:

How to Fill in Employment Gaps on Resumes

• Be honest.  The employer will learn of gaps in employment on your resume with a basic background check.
• Be brief.  Don’t agonize about the employment gap on your resume. Just show it and move on.
• Be proactive.  Show how the gap added to your skill set. See examples below.
• Give the real reason  for the job gap on your resume. Even if you think it’s silly, most employers won’t.
• Assure employers  the resume gap will not recur.
• Show relevant experience  after the gap if possible. Hiring teams  don’t worry about gaps followed by experience .
• Worry about gaps shorter than 9 months.  That’s not an employment gap. It just means you’re out of work!
• Cover gaps with dates.  Leaving the months off your work history looks like you’re hiding something.
• Lie about the employment gap on your resume  by saying you were saving kittens or working on a cure for cancer. Hiring teams can smell lies through a brick wall.
• Ignore a gap in employment  longer than 9 months,  especially  in a resume for unskilled jobs.

Next—

Let’s see some good reasons for gaps in employment.

Then I’ll give some employment gaps on resume examples.

Expert Hint: Don’t talk about the employment gap on your resume in a career summary or career objective . Save the top part of your resume for your brightest selling points.

2. Have Good Reasons for Gaps in Employment

Now the good news.

Hiring teams will care what you went through.

They won’t think less of you. But—

Give a good reason for employment gaps on your resume. Here are five:

Good Reasons for Gaps in Employment

• Illness. Were you or a loved one sick or injured? That’s a legit reason for a gap in employment on a resume.
• Death. Never be ashamed of an employment gap on your resume after a loved one dies.
• Tragedy. Miscarriage or other misfortune are legitimate reasons for employment gaps on resumes.
• Soul searching. Finding your path in life is noble and worthwhile. Many employers respect it.
• Tried a different career. Did you test the waters, then come back to your roots? That’s human. Hiring teams are human too.

Don’t just give your reason.

Show the employment gap on your resume bore fruit to help with your next job.

Assure them it’s a one-time thing.

Expert Hint: Put extra skills proof in your education resume section . An honors society or big project helps a lot in a resume with employment gaps.

3. Show the Employment Gap on Your Resume in Your Experience Section

Where should you put resume gaps?

The right place to show an employment gap on a resume is in your work history.

List it as a sabbatical, and show three things:

• List the start and end dates of the employment gap on your resume.
• Give the reason for your resume employment gap.
• Show you did something positive for your skill set in that time.

In other words?

You need to show you weren’t just eating bon-bons.

These employment gaps on resume examples show how:

Imagine the job ad wants skills in leadership , system development , Oracle Primavera P6 , training , and working with cross-functional teams .

Employment Gap on a Resume—Experience Section

• Managed 200+ projects with Oracle Primavera P6 .

2013–2017 (2 years ago)

• Responsible for creating system to raise efficiency of requirements management.
• Managed IT projects.
• Worked with teams to cut costs.
• Facilitated integration of customer software into our workflow.

You were up-front about your gap.

You also showed the leadership  skill they want—in the employment gap on your resume!

You proved other skills in your work history. You customized your resume .

Think they’ll hold that gap against you? Nope.

Expert Hint: Put “other” sections in your resume with skills the job wants. Certifications or conferences you spoke at can help outweigh employment gaps on resumes.

The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your resume in our resume builder now .

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Nail it all with a splash of color, choose a clean font, and highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You're the perfect candidate, and we'll prove it. Use our resume builder now .

4. More Employment Gaps on Resume Examples

See the employment gaps on resume examples below.

Each one touts a skill shown in the job ad.

Each also says the employment gap on your resume is in the past .

Car accident gaps in employment on resume:

• Time off to recover from car accident.
• Was able to return to trail running 2x per week.
• Took Lynda class in bookkeeping .

Cancer gap in employment on your resume:

• Time off to fight cancer diagnosis.
• Declared cancer free.
• Worked towards C ompTIA A+ certification .

Soul searching resume employment gap:

• Time off to find career path.
• Worked as video kayaker on Class V rivers in West Virginia.
• Used teamwork and problem-solving skills to sell 25% more videos than company average.
• Settled on remote accounting work as ideal career.

Tried different career employment gap on resume:

Software Engineer, 2017–present

• Developed 20+ client apps and websites.
• Collaborated with team of 10 to raise UX scores 18%.
• Gained insights about back-end work to fuel my marketing career.

Each of those employment gaps on resume examples does two things:

• It shows your gap helped build key skills.

It says the gap is history.

5. Choose the Right Resume Format for Employment Gaps on Resumes

You filled the employment gap on your resume. But—

You used the wrong resume format .

Don’t make that mistake.

Use the reverse-chronological layout to put everything above board.

Employment Gaps on Resume Format

• Use a single-page resume with one-inch margins.
• Write with Didot, Cambria, or another trusted resume font in 10–12pt.
• Make resume sections like Heading, Summary, Experience , Education, and Skills.
• Add white space to let it breathe.
• Save PDF copies. PDF resumes travel well to different employers.

Expert Hint: You can also try a functional resume or combination resume to spotlight your skills and not your history. Beware—some recruiters don’t like functional resumes.

6. Stop Your Next Gap in Employment Before it Starts

The best advice?

Don’t have another employment gap on your resume.

“But my resume gap was unavoidable.”

Not really.

The minute you’re out of work—

• Do some consulting. Use your skills to do a few hours of week of work.
• Volunteer. You’ll build transferable skills like teamwork or leadership.
• Freelance. Take on a small project here or there.
• Enroll in an online class. Lynda classes make great filler for employment gaps on a resume.

Expert Hint: You don’t need a full-time job to fill in a resume job gap. Even four or five hours a week of volunteering can help save face for your career.

Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.

CREATE YOUR COVER LETTER NOW

Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here .

Here’s how to fill in employment gaps on resumes:

• Use the employment gap on resume template up top. It puts your resume employment gap in the right place.
• Show a skill or two you used during the employment gap on your resume. Make it a skill the new job wants.
• If you accomplished something impressive, show it. Add numbers to make it real.
• Reassure employers the gap in employment on your resume was a one-time thing and won’t repeat.

Got questions on how to fill employment gaps on a resume? Need more employment gaps on resume examples? We’ll be happy to reply!

About ResumeLab’s Editorial Process

At ResumeLab, quality is at the crux of our values, supporting our commitment to delivering top-notch career resources. The editorial team of career experts carefully reviews every article in accordance with editorial guidelines , ensuring the high quality and reliability of our content. We actively conduct original research, shedding light on the job market's intricacies and earning recognition from numerous influential news outlets . Our dedication to delivering expert career advice attracts millions of readers to our blog each year.

Having published over 200 career-advice articles, Tom Gerencer is a career expert who covers the whole array of job-seeking topics for people at all career stages, from interns to C-suite members. His insights, commentary, and articles reach over a million readers every month. With inside knowledge of key industry players and in-depth research, Tom helps job seekers with advice across all professions and career stages. Tom holds a degree in English from Colby College.

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How to explain gaps in your resume

Gaps in your resume can cause you lots of stress.

You know that employers generally don’t like them, but you don’t know whether you should include yours, or how you should explain it.

But don’t worry if you have a gap (or two or three) it’s not the end of the world.

In this guide, I will break down everything you need to know about employment gaps, including which ones you should include in your resume, and how to describe them in a way that will keep recruiters happy and ensure you still get lots of interviews.

Resume templates 

What is an employment gap in your resume?

An employment gap in your resume is any substantial period of time that you have been out of work, after you have left full time education.

It could be anything from a month off whilst looking for a job, or 6 months out to care for a sick relative, to a year off spent travelling the world.

Why don’t employers like seeing gaps in your resume?

Employers do not like to see gaps in your resume because they do not know what you were doing during that time period, and that makes the task of assessing your suitability more difficult them. It can also sometimes cause recruiters to wonder if you are trying to hide something from them, especially if there are lots of gaps.

However, gaps in employment on their own are not necessarily a bad thing.

It’s really unexplained gaps that will cause you problems in your resume.

If you’re able to explain gaps in your employment within your resume effectively, they should not have a negative impact on your job applications. In some cases, a well described employment gap in your resume can even become a major selling point for you.

When should I explain gaps in my resume?

If you have a gap in your employment, it only needs to be included if you feel it would make a difference to your applications.

This can be difficult to judge sometimes, but you have to put yourself in the employer’s shoes and ask yourself, “ If I was reviewing this resume, would I need to know what the candidate was doing during that time?”

Ultimately the two variables are;

• How long the gap is – The longer the gap, the more likely it is that you should explain it.
• How recent the gap is – The more recent the gap is, the more likely it is that you should explain it.

For example, if you took a month off work 5 years ago, a recruiter is unlikely to care about that – nor would they question the gap (they probably wouldn’t even notice it)

However, if you’ve had 6 months off in the past year, recruiters will definitely want to know what you’ve been up to.

Should I explain a current resume gap?

If you are currently not working (whilst you are job searching) then you would probably not need to explain the gap, unless it’s been for a long period of time (e.g., over 4 months).

For example, if you’ve just left school and have been looking for a job for a few months, there’s no need to explain that – it’s a common situation and it should be obvious to recruiters. But if you’ve been out of work for a year, caring for a relative and are now re-entering the job market, that would need to be explained.

Quick tip: If you are currently unemployed, looking for work, and worrying that your current employment gap is getting too long; Try doing some study, freelancing, or volunteering if you can. This gives you something to write about in your resume if you do decide to add the gap.

Should I explain a recent resume gap?

In most cases a recent resume gap should be explained because recruiters will always scrutinize your recent work history (the last 3 years in particular). So, if there is a gap of 3 months or more in your recent career, they will question it – and it’s best to pre-empt that question in your resume.

Should I explain old resume gaps?

If you have gaps in your employment from 5 or 10 years ago, you wouldn’t normally need to include them in your resume, because recruiters generally will not be interested in anything that happened such a long time ago.

Should I explain a one-month or less resume gap?

You should not need to explain an employment gap of one month or less – such a short time would not bother recruiters or employers.

Should I explain a 3 month resume gap?

The 3 month mark is where you should start to consider explaining an employment gap in your resume, especially if it has happened within the last 1 or 2 years – as a recruiter would probably spot and question it, if you left it unexplained.

Should I explain a 6 month resume gap?

A 6 month resume gap should almost definitely be explained in your resume. 6 months is a significant amount of time and potential employers will definitely want to know what you have been doing during that period, if it fell within the last 5 years. However, if the gap happened many years ago, you would not need to explain it, as recruiters are only interested in your recent career history.

Types of resume gap and how to explain them

There are many justifiable reasons why you might need to take some time off work.

Let’s take a look at each one and how you can explain each one on your resume in a positive way which keeps recruiters interested in you.

Whether it be physical or mental illness , time out of work for poor health is not something you have any control over – and it’s nothing you should feel guilty or ashamed about.

If you have had any significant time out for illness, you just need to include a brief sentence stating just that – you don’t have to go into any detail about what the illness was if you don’t want to, and it’s probably best to keep it brief to save space on your resume.

If you are currently returning to work from illness, it may be beneficial to say that you are now recovered and fit for work.

Travel / Gap year

Time spent out travelling can actually be very attractive to employers.

If described in the right way on your resume, a travel experience can show recruiters that you’re organized, confident and hard-working.

Detail where you’ve been and highlight some of the constructive things you’ve done (including part-time jobs) to show some of the transferable workplace skills you’ve picked up.

Job seeking

If you’ve been unfortunate and not managed to land a job for a long period of time, it can be beneficial to show some of the constructive things you’ve been doing between searching for jobs. Maybe you’ve taken some courses, done some volunteering, or even tried your hand at freelancing – any of these things will show employers that you are committed and proactive.

Caring for family

If you’ve been caring for a family member or friend full-time, you’ve probably picked up a lot of skills and experience that employers will value – not to mention showing that you have some great personal qualities.

Keep this section brief, writing a sentence or two about the type of care you have been providing and the commitment you’ve made.

Any time out of work caused by Covid restrictions in the past year or so should not come as a surprise to employers. If you were laid off or your whole industry was shut down, simply write a short description of this.

Redundancy/job loss

If you’ve been made unemployed , it’ nothing to be ashamed off. If the time out has lasted for more than a few months, then it’s worth mentioning it and detailing any study, volunteering, freelancing, or anything constructive you’ve been doing.

Maternity / childcare

Time spent away from work to raise children is something that many of us will do in our lifetime, so it shouldn’t cause a big shock to employers. A sentence detailing that you’ve taken paternity/maternity leave should be enough to explain this. If you have taken maternity leave through an employer and returned to work for them afterwards, you don’t have to mention the time-out, because you never actually left the job.

Study leave can be a valuable asset on your resume if you’ve been studying for relevant qualifications – you just need to write a few short sentences on what you’ve been studying and where.

Career break

If you took a planned career break or sabbatical to do anything that’s not covered by the above examples (a year out to play music, paint or tend to you garden) then just be sure to explain what you’ve been doing and highlight some of the skills involved.

Addressing resume gaps in your cover letter

Another way to handle employment gaps and ensure they don’t have a negative effect on your job applications, is to mention them in your cover letter when you first contact recruiters.

For example, if you’ve been recently made redundant and have been out of work for a few months, you could explain the reasons why in your cover letter. You could also be creative and highlight the benefits of the situation, such as the fact this means you are immediately available.

Prepare to discuss resume gaps in interview

It’s very likely that hiring managers and recruiters will ask you questions about your employment gaps at interview stage, so make sure that prepare for this and are able to give a good explanation of what you have been doing in a positive way.

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• Job Search Advice
• How to Explain Gaps in Employment (Resume & Cover Letter)

How to Explain Gaps in Employment (Resume & Cover Letter)

Our customers have been hired by:

Got gaps in employment? You’re probably terrified . Whatever it was: raising your children, going back to school, traveling—that hiatus must have been for a good reason. But now you’re left with an employment gap on your resume you'll have to explain…

I asked three bestselling career experts for their best employment gap explanations. Turns out, gaps on a resume are not that much of a red flag after all.

This guide will show you:

• Why managers hate employment gaps and how to explain a gap in employment.
• How to do an end-run around resume gaps to avoid writing a bad resume.
• Where to find value in a gap in a resume employers love.
• Good reasons for a gap in employment that managers will understand.

Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here .

Sample resume made with our builder— See more resume samples here .

Two formats work great for resume gaps. The combination resume and the functional resume focus on relevant skills. See our guides for gaps in resumes and job hoppers:

• Combination Resume Template: Formatting Guide with Examples
• Functional Resume Template: Formatting Guide with Examples

Now let’s look at advice from career experts for how to explain resume gaps.

1. How to Explain Gaps in Employment

Why are employment gaps so bad?

Because of what employers fear is hiding in them.

Without explaining gaps in employment, the hiring manager may assume the worst.

According to Orville Pierson, author of The Unwritten Rules of the Highly Effective Job Search , honesty is key.

“People have great imaginations,” says Pierson. “If employers see a gap in employment, they might assume you were incarcerated, an addict, or just plain lazy.”

“That’s the #1 reason not to display any gaps in your resume. The moment you explain the real reason, the imagined worst-case goes away.”

Employment Gap Explanation Example

March 2015–June 2016

I was seriously injured in automobile accident. After several rounds of surgery, I completely recovered and returned to all of my activities, including jogging and softball.

Don’t Fret EVERY Gap in Employment

“You have to be honest,” says Pierson. “But you don’t have to sabotage your own job search by volunteering things that will hurt you.”

• What is an employment gap? Anything less than six months is generally OK. You still need to explain it, but “Job seeking” will cover it.
• Is your resume gap old? Don’t sweat gaps in employment 7-10 years ago. Again, you may need to explain, but an old gap isn’t serious.
• Job h opping isn’t a gap in a resume. Leaving a job in less than a year isn’t gr eat. Sill, more than half of all employers hire job hoppers anyway.

Be Prepared

If you’ve got a gap in your resume, it will come up .

When it does, stammering like a high school freshman on a first date is not an option.

So—have an employment gap explanation ready. Then, like a fireman or a warrior in battle, fall back on your training.

• Explain why you’ve got gaps in your resume.
• Reassure the hiring manager why you won’t be doing it again.
• Share the value you picked up along the way.
• Keep your explanation short. Have a finish line so you don’t trail off into embarrassed silence.

Need to know exactly how to explain gaps in employment so you don’t write a bad resume? I’ll give you some surprising answers next.

Steve Dalton, author of The 2-Hour Job Search , has a unique way of patching a gap in employment:

“If I have a job-seeker with a gap in their resume,” says Dalton, “I encourage them to overcome it with a referral.”

Referrals create instant liking.

“Once I like you, you’d basically need to tell me you committed a felony to change my mind.”

To get referrals:

• Find the companies you most want to work for.
• Contact employees at those companies.
• Turn them into advocates by A) having a conversation and B) being a good listener.

“Interested is interesting,” Dalton says. “The #1 factor in charisma is how well you’re perceived to be listening.”

Pro Tip:  Are you a job hopper? That’s worse than a resume gap, but it doesn’t mean you’ll write a bad resume.  Many managers actually like to hire job hoppers, as this Forbes article explains .

When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check . Start building a  professional resume template here for free .

When you’re done, our online resume builder will score your resume and our resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.

Are you coming out of a gap in your employment and into a new career? Afraid you might face an employment check? See our guide: Career Change Resume: Sample and How-To-Guide

Plus, if you want to check what the best answer to the "Why did you leave your last job?" question is, read our guide: Reasons for Leaving a Job: Best Explanation for This Interview Question

2. A Solid Plan to Explain Gaps in Employment

Imagine you’re in an interview.

Across the conference table sit three hiring managers.

On the wall behind them is a poster of an eagle that says, Leadership.

Then they ask the dreaded question:

“What’s this job gap here?”

The skin behind your ears begins to burn. Did you write a bad resume?

How should you explain gaps in employment in an interview?

Prove You Won’t Do it Again

A bad hire costs a company $50,000 to $100,000.

One of the hiring manager’s biggest fears? One gap in employment means you may do it again.

“Let’s say you have a resume gap because you were in a bad car accident,” says Pierson. “You must tell them it’s completely resolved. Otherwise they might wonder if you're fully capable of work.”

Find the Value

Were you a ski bum during your gaps in employment? Maybe you did some ski instruction.

“That’s a reputable part-time job,” says Pierson.

Being a stay-at-home mom is respectable work, too. One of Pierson’s clients added value by volunteering at a church where she managed 30 other volunteers. That was real managerial experience and she put it on her resume.

Look for Relevant Achievements In:

• Volunteer Work
• Freelancing
• Part Time Work
• Challenges You Faced

Match Your Resume Gap in Employment to the Job Opening

Your employment gap explanation should prove you weren’t idle.

But linking gaps in employment to the job offer is masterful.

A ski bum who did ski instruction is a match for jobs requiring training skills, communication, or experience with children.

The real trick?

Read the job offer carefully. Find the qualities it’s looking for.

Then examine the gap in your resume. Find achievements that prove you have those qualities.

Shorten Your Job Gap Now

What’s better than explaining gaps in employment?

According to Pierson, the best strategy is avoiding having a resume gap in the first place. As soon as you’re unemployed, start consulting or volunteering.

It’s best if it’s related to your primary skills, but any work at all gives additional experience, skills, and references.

Consider a Cover Letter

Do I need a cover letter if I’ve got gaps in my resume?

Some experts say yes.

For example, see this shortened sample cover letter explaining a gap in employment. It explains that the gap won’t repeat. It also lists a relevant achievement.

During the gap in employment from 2014 through 2016, I traveled South America and Africa, kayaking Class V rivers. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that helped me find my big, audacious career goal. I also picked up a unique set of logistics skills I think will fit extremely well with your executive assistant opening...

However, Pierson cautions against explaining unemployment gaps with cover letters. He prefers to save the cover letter for more supplemental information.

David Perry, author of Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters , lays out a great plan to explain gaps in employment. Namely, don’t sweat the employment gap explanation.

“Instead,” says Perry, “use your resume to show: 1. How you can make them money, 2. How you can save them money, 3. How you can boost their efficiency.”

• Google search a company you want to work at + department name + “resume” + “-apply”.
• Click the images tab. You’ll see resumes from people who worked there.
• Contact some of them and have a chat. You’ll get a great sense of the issues in that department.
• Map those issues against your past accomplishments and put them in your resume.

“If you target 10 or 20 companies that way,” says Perry, “you won’t get past #7 without an interview.

What about the resume gap? The hiring manager will barely notice it by then.

Need some tips to write a cover letter that explains your gap in employment? Looking for some letter of explanation samples? See our guide: How to Make a Cover Letter for Any Job in 8 Simple Steps

3. Four Good Reasons for Employment Gaps

Need some good example reasons for gaps in employment?

Here’s a short list. Make sure to explain why you won’t repeat the gap.

A Failed Business

Did the gaps in your resume come from a failed startup?

A failed business doesn’t mean a bad resume.

In fact, career experts encourage showing a failed business .

Even a failed attempt conveys a whole raft of information about your competency level.

Find achievements from the business that fit the current job. Then add them to your resume as bullet points .

Family Reasons

Starting a family—or family troubles—are excellent reasons for gaps in employment.

As with any gap, show closure. The divorce is final. Or you went to counseling and are now in love. Or the kids are now in school.

Most employers know family is important. They’ll be reassured it wasn’t drugs, jail, or something equally as frightening.

Finding Your Way

Did your employment gap come from needing a break?

Hiring managers will generally understand, as long as you can prove you’re done.

In a crucial interview, I had to explain to the Dean of Admissions at Colby College why I’d spent two years out of school.

“You had a C average too,” he said. “What’s my guarantee you won’t do it again?”

My answer? I finally understood I wanted to be a writer. Colby was the perfect next step.

He smiled and shook my hand. Two years later, I graduated with a writing degree, high honors, and a post-graduate fellowship.

Injuries and illnesses explain resume gaps in employment.

Just make sure to show it’s in the past.

You can leave it as, “I had an illness, but I’m 100% recovered with no chance of a relapse.”

In the U.S., employers can’t legally ask questions about an illness-related gap in employment.

Pro Tip: How much worse is job-hopping than an employment history resume gap? There are pros (upward mobility) and cons (a reputation as a quitter) as this RobertHalf survey shows.

Need achievements from your gap in employment to prove your skills? See our guide: Achievements to Include on a Resume (30+ Examples)

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here.  Here's what it may look like:

See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Key Takeaway

Here’s a recap of how to explain gaps in employment so they don’t torpedo your job search:

• Come up with an employment gap explanation.  Without one, employers will assume the worst. Be honest. An employment check will catch you if you’re not.
• Prove you won’t do it again.  Tell your story to show why the resume gap will not recur.
• Find the value.  Identify achievements in the gap in employment that fit the job offer like Isotoners.
• Make an end-run around the gap in your resume. Work to get a referral from a company employee. Do some research to find out what the company needs. Then show matching achievements on your resume.  

Do you have questions on how to explain gaps in resumes? Not sure how to find the right achievements? Give us a shout in the comments! Let's get you in that dream job.

About Zety’s Editorial Process

This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines . We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

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How To Explain Employment Gaps On A Resume: 10 Answers + Examples (2020)

Have you ever been out of work for a while? Are you worried that having a gap on your resume will work against you? In this article, you’re going to learn about how to fill in employment gaps, and more importantly, how to explain employment gaps on a resume.

Employment gaps can work against you and normally recruiters are curious about why you were out of work for some time. As you go through the article and video, you will learn the most common reasons why people have gaps on their resumes, how to explain lengthy employment gaps, how to explain what you did during this period, plausible reasons, the most asked questions, and specific answers you can give, all of which will demonstrate why you are still a great candidate for the job.

Let’s dive in.

What Is An Employment Gap?

An employment gap is a period of time that a job seeker is unemployed. Most recruiters consider a job gap to be six months or more out of work, however, there is no official rule for this.

How To Explain An Employment Gap – Plausible Reasons

How to explain an employment gap

• Health reasons
• Family reasons
• Furthering education
• Failed business

Health: How to fill in employment gaps on your resume and have a reason for it. One common reason that comes up a lot are health issues. Sometimes, due to bad health or just a drop in one’s health can put you out of work for a while. At the time of writing this article, we’re in full swing of the Coronavirus, so if you came down with it and or your family, it is a good reason. If you have had health issues, make sure you can quickly explain that you are over it now. In most cases, recruiters won’t dig too deep into this topic as they don’t want to appear nosy or discriminatory if you are not selected for the next round of interviews.

Family reasons: Similar to the one above, sometimes there was someone in your family that was sick, and you decided to take care of them full-time. This is a noble thing to do and justifies having a gap on your resume. Maybe you’ve had a recent addition to the family – a newborn. These are great and more than justified reasons to have a gap on your CV.

Furthering your education: another great reason for an employment gap is taking time to further your education. Many see education as a way to open your mind and new doors of opportunity. If you have gone on to pursue a bachelor’s, master’s, specialization, or another degree to advance your career, these are great gap fillers and recruiters will understand these gaps. Furthering your education also adds a lot of value to a company as you will bring your newly acquired knowledge to the new company. Most of all, the company didn’t have to pay for it. They are getting you with this newly acquired knowledge.

Failed business: nowadays and more than ever, entrepreneurship is on an all-time high. Individuals of all ages are launching side projects, companies, and businesses and trying to ride the wave of entrepreneurship. Launching and creating a successful business is a lot harder than it may seem on the Shark Tank, and the chances you will fail are HIGH . However, even with this failure, the learning curve that you will have is off the charts and can be very valuable to companies. Learning obtained from launching your own business is similar to a hockey stick – it starts flat and then just shoots up. It’s massive! Nowadays, many recruiters are interested in speaking to former entrepreneurs to see if they are right for the job. Recruiters should not look down on a candidate that has a gap in his career because of trying to launch a business.

Sabbatical: In most cases, I have seen older, more senior-level execs might take some time off from their job. This is known as a sabbatical . It can range from a month up to a year. Normally, the individual is looking to get some time off of work to focus on other things. It could be learning a new language, taking a new course, investing time in a new hobby, or a series of other things. Whatever it may be, sabbaticals are quite common and can be a nice refresher for the individual. It’s a great way to recharge one’s batteries.

How To Fill In Employment Gaps On A Resume If You Are Currently Out Of Work

• Find contract or temp work
• Start freelancing or consulting
• Become a volunteer
• Get more training

You should never be inactive when you are out of work, never! You should always be moving forward and trying to make a difference in your life and career. If by chance you are currently out of work and are looking for ways to fill your employment gaps, consider some of the options below.

Contract or Temp Work: If you are out of work but still want or need to make some money, contract or temp work can be a great option. There are plenty of companies out there that offer these short-term positions. You can either apply online or in-person. Some of the jobs offered as temp work can be temp-to-hire. In other words, if you perform well and are a good fit within the company, you may be brought on board as a full-time employee. It’s a great way to get some additional work experience, get your foot in the door at a new company, and continue to make a living.

Freelancing or Consulting: These are two great options for people that already have a strong skill set in a field. You might be an avid digital marketer and want to work as a freelance while off from work or maybe you are good at voice-overs VO. There are all sorts of sites out there that offer freelancing opportunities like Fivver , Upwork , among others.

Volunteering: I can’t stress this one enough. Volunteering is a great way to get off the couch, gain some valuable experience, and is a good way to support an important cause. Even more importantly, many organizations need volunteers to help them; and this can be in multiple capacities. Lastly, you never know, you might like it so much and there might even be an official paying job for you in the long run. This has happened to many people. This official US Government website has several public service and volunteer opportunities.

Get more training: Another great way to fill in that employment gap is by getting more training. If you are from a field like digital marketing or in a tech area, things are changing at breakneck speed. This requires you to stay on top of the new changes and trends in the game. Getting more training will allow you to do this. Luckily, nowadays it is easier than ever especially with the vast number of online courses out there. Check out Udemy , Linkedin Learning , Hubspot Academy , Coursera , EDX , Udacity , among the many others.

What Is Considered A Long Employment Gap?

Employment gaps can range in time depending on the current economic scenario, the place you live, your level of experience, and the jobs available in your region. Typically, an employment gap is when you are out of work for more than 6 months. Obviously, there is no golden rule here. Some recruiters and HR specialists might consider a gap to be a year or more out of work. It’s subjective. To play it safe, consider it to be when you’re 6 months out of the game.

As mentioned above, sometimes there are economic factors at play and can inhibit you from getting placed in the market again. For example, we had a crisis in 2008-2009, and this led to a lot of people being out of work for a long time. Let’s also consider our current market and the coronavirus that is shaking things up. Job-hunters may be out of work for much longer during this period, so sometimes a long employment gap in times like these is more justifiable.

Additional Tips

There is no need to dive into detail about why you have an employment gap. Just make sure you give a good quick and concise reason/explanation along with what you have been doing during this period. Hopefully, you have been continuing your education online with free courses, volunteering, or doing some of the other ideas mentioned above to demonstrate that you have been active. Don’t be afraid to show off some of the new skills you have gained. Maybe you took a coding course and just coded and launched your own blog or took a digital marketing course on Hubspot and started testing your new skills on different social media. Convey this to the recruiter. This should earn you some credit.

Don’t worry about old gaps: If it’s 2020, and you had a gap back in 2015, this is not that important. More than likely, you are already employed and looking for a job, or recently left a job and are searching. So, an older gap is not much to worry about. The only gap to worry about are current ones where you have been out of the market for a year or 2 and you are looking for a job now.

Employment Gap Questions and Answers

Let’s dive into specific scenarios with specific questions and answers.

Context: it is March 22, 2020, and a candidate has been out of work since April 1, 2019. The candidate used to work at company ABCD.

Recruiter: The recruiter may directly or indirectly inquire about the gap saying, “Why did you leave your job at ABCD?” this is a good way to start digging and getting more information.

Employment gap questions – Other possible ways to ask about the employment gap are:

• I noticed you have been out of work for a while,  why have you been out of work so long?
• I see you have a gap in employment here. What can you tell me about that?
• I noticed a gap on your resume. What are you doing to keep your skills current?
• It seems like you have been out of work for roughly 8 months. “What happened and what have you been doing to keep up your skills?”
• Can you walk me through your resume?
• Could you tell me about why you left your last job? What have you been doing during this period?

Employment Gap Possible Answers:

• I was hired to work on a temporary project, a total of 1 year in length. After the team and I successfully finished and handed over the project, our job was done, and we were let go. So, this was to be expected.
• I took a year off to have a baby.
• I decided to leave ABCD so I could take care of (parent, child, etc.) full time.
• I was laid off during the Coronavirus period due to extreme budget cuts to keep the company afloat. I am currently applying to jobs and taking additional courses on Linkedin Learning to level up.
• Because of the pandemic, our company furloughed 40% of the workforce. Eventually, with internal restructuring to keep the business alive, these same employees that were temporarily laid off were made redundant.
• I had the opportunity to take a yearlong sabbatical and take some time off to focus on myself. The main goal of my sabbatical was to travel, learn a new language, and expand my horizon. Now I am back and super excited to get back into the market and explore new, exciting opportunities like this one. 
• I believe that both the company and I had very different expectations. In retrospect, I believe there are many things that I could have done differently. I can say I learned a lot during this time, and I believe I was able to mature from it. I will definitely apply the lessons learned from this previous position to my new role and make sure it is a success. 
• If for some reason the interviewer really tries to pry or dive deep into an answer, and you do not feel comfortable, you may say, “I would prefer not to go into more detail.” If there is a continued push from the interviewer, you may choose to end the interview altogether by saying, “I am not comfortable with where our interview is headed, so this role is probably not a good fit. Thank you for your time.” 

You can easily modify some of the previous reasons mentioned earlier in the text and turn them into answers.

Now suppose that you have a much bigger gap, say 2 years plus. Let’s say that instead of the recruiter probing, he or she comes out and directly asks about it.

Recruiter: “Can you walk me through your resume?” then “Could you tell me about why you left your last job?” “What have you been doing during this period?”

• Great question. I decided to go back to school to further my education and gain new skills to make myself more attractive in the market. I know that furthering my education will create newer and better possibilities to grow.
• That’s a great question. I was always keen on launching my own business. I had been studying and flirting with a few ideas for quite some time when I decided to make the move. I ended up launching a (business, service, product, etc.) in (area). Although ultimately things didn’t work out, the lessons learned that I have gained from this have been two-fold. If you’re interested, I can tell you a little bit more about the experience and how it relates to the current position.

How To Explain Employment Gaps On A Resume – Wrap Up

These are just a few different ways the question can be posed and ways that you can successfully maneuver and work it in your favor. Remember, questions about employment gaps are quite common and will arise if you have a lengthy gap on your resume.

I hope that from this article you have been able to gain a better notion and method on how to fill in employment gaps on your resume, how to explain employment gaps, and feel confident to answer these questions if or when they come up.

For more interview and job search tips, check out the CareerPrep blog and also the CareerPrep Youtube channel . 

Now I’d Like to Hear From You

Did you learn any new strategies for explaining employment gaps from today’s video and post?

Or maybe you use a different technique or strategy that I didn’t mention here.

Either way, let me know by leaving a quick comment below.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the channel and as always, Learn, Practice, Succeed. Until next time.

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Confidently Explain Employment Gaps on Your Resume (Examples)

By Status.net Editorial Team on November 9, 2023 — 12 minutes to read

• Understanding Employment Gaps Part 1
• Types of Employment Gaps Part 2
• Best Practices for Explaining Gaps in Employment Part 3
• How to Explain Short Term Gaps Part 4
• How to Explain Long Term Gaps Part 5
• Explaining Gaps Due to Personal Reasons Part 6
• Addressing Gaps Due to Job Searching Part 7
• How to Address Employment Gaps due to COVID-19 Part 8
• Dealing with Gaps due to Freelance or Contract Work Part 9
• Explaining Gaps Due to Sabbatical Part 10

Part 1 Understanding Employment Gaps

Employment gaps can happen for various reasons, such as personal issues, health problems, or unexpected layoffs. It’s essential to know that gaps in your career history aren’t necessarily negative. When writing your resume, explaining these gaps in a positive and honest way can help potential employers understand your situation better.

• One way to address employment gaps is by highlighting your experiences and achievements during those periods. For instance, if you went back to school, mention the degree or certification you earned. Similarly, if you volunteered during your time off, emphasize the skills you developed in that role.
• Another tactic is to use a functional or skill-based resume format instead of the traditional chronological one. In this approach, you focus on your skills and experiences rather than listing your work history chronologically. By doing so, you can draw attention to your abilities and minimize the spotlight on your employment gaps.
• When listing dates on your resume, consider using only the years and not the months. This strategy makes transitions between jobs appear smoother and can help to draw less attention to gaps. Besides, some career experts believe that employers are more concerned with your skills and accomplishments than your employment timeline.

In your cover letter, you can address longer gaps proactively by providing context and expressing your enthusiasm for returning to the workforce. Remember to emphasize your relevant skills and the ways you’ve stayed up to date in your industry.

Here’s an example:

During my time off, I decided to pursue my passion for graphic design. I took online courses, honed my skills, and even completed several freelance projects. This experience not only allowed me to explore a new field but also taught me valuable time-management and client-communication techniques. I’m eager to bring these newfound skills and my renewed motivation to a position at your company.

Part 2 Types of Employment Gaps

Recognizing the type of employment gap you have is the first step in addressing it effectively. Let’s take a look at some common types of gaps in your work history:

1. Layoffs or downsizing: If you were let go due to company-wide layoffs or downsizing, this is a common situation that hiring managers will understand. Be ready to explain the circumstances in a concise manner.

2. Personal choice: Choosing to take a break to fulfill a personal goal, like traveling, pursuing a hobby, or focusing on family can be explained in a positive way. Be sure to highlight any skills or experiences you gained during this time.

3. Health issues: If you had to take time off due to an illness or medical issue, make sure to explain your recovery and eventual readiness to return to work. There’s no need to disclose private medical information, but assuring the employer that you’re now in good health is key.

4. Going back to school: Showing an investment in your education and development is generally seen as a positive move. Just emphasize how the new knowledge and skills you gained will benefit your future employer.

5. Freelance or contract work: If you’ve been working on a project-by-project basis, your resume may appear to have gaps. Make sure to clarify that you were still active in the job market, and if possible, list notable projects to demonstrate your professional experience.

Part 3 Best Practices for Explaining Gaps in Employment

Focus on the positive.

When addressing gaps in your resume, frame your explanation around your strengths and acquired skills. Highlight any relevant experiences and achievements during your time off, like volunteering, freelance work, or professional development courses. Maintain a confident and positive outlook throughout your explanation, keeping the focus on your professional growth.

Honesty is the Best Policy

Be straightforward and honest when explaining your employment gap. You don’t need to provide every single detail, but giving a clear and concise reason is better than evasion. Employers appreciate sincerity, so avoid creating fictional stories or excuses. Simple explanations such as taking care of a family member, personal health, or traveling the world can suffice.

Show You’ve Been Productive

Demonstrate how you’ve stayed productive during your time away from work. Examples could include learning new skills, earning a certification, or joining a professional organization. Prove that you’ve used your time productively and are now ready to apply your enhanced skillset in the workforce.

Tailor Your Explanation

Consider the specific job you’re applying for and tailor your gap explanation accordingly. Align the skills or experiences you gained during your time off with the requirements of the job position. This demonstrates to the employer that even in your absence, you’ve managed to stay relevant and valuable to the industry.

Part 4 How to Explain Short Term Gaps

Skill building during short-term gaps.

When you have short-term gaps in your employment history, it’s helpful to highlight any skills you’ve gained or improved during that time. Employers appreciate candidates who take the initiative to stay productive even when not employed. Include any online courses, certifications, or self-learning projects you’ve completed during the period.

For example, if you had a 3-month gap and completed a coding bootcamp, mention this in your resume or cover letter. Briefly describe how the newly acquired skill can be valuable to the company, demonstrating that you have put your time to good use and are a functional asset.

Example of Explaining Short-Term Gaps

Here’s an example of how to explain a short-term gap in your employment history in the cover letter of your job application:

“Between May and August 2022, I found myself between jobs in the graphic design field. However, I took advantage of this time to further develop my skills and stay updated with the industry’s latest trends. I completed an online course on UX/UI design, and I’m excited to bring these newly acquired skills to your team. This experience has expanded my expertise and can greatly enhance my contributions as a graphic designer.”

By addressing the gap in a positive and honest manner, you show potential employers your ability to adapt, learn, and grow even when facing challenges in your career path.

Part 5 How to Explain Long Term Gaps

Mention relevant activities during long-term gaps.

When addressing long-term gaps in your resume, focus on highlighting any relevant activities you participated in during that period. These might include freelance projects, volunteering, attending workshops or conferences, or taking online courses. By showcasing these efforts, you demonstrate to potential employers that you stayed active and continued to develop your skills despite the gap.

For example, if you took a two-year break to raise a child but completed an online course in project management, you can mention this in your resume or cover letter. This way, you’re emphasizing the transferable skills you acquired during your time off, making your gap less of a concern for recruiters.

Example of Explaining Long-Term Gaps

Here’s an example of how you can craft an explanation for a long-term gap:

“From 2019-2021, I stepped away from the workforce to focus on my family. During this time, I was dedicated to staying current in my industry and strengthening my skills. I completed an online course in project management and volunteered at a local nonprofit, where I managed their social media accounts. These experiences have honed my ability to multitask and communicate effectively, and I’m excited to apply these skills in my next role.”

Part 6 Explaining Gaps Due to Personal Reasons

Coping with health issues.

If you’ve taken time off to deal with health issues, it’s important to be honest but also tactful when addressing this on your resume. You don’t need to reveal specific details about your medical condition. Instead, you can simply state that you took time off for personal health reasons and focus on the skills, qualifications, and accomplishments you’ve achieved during your career.

Raising a Family

When explaining a gap in your resume due to raising a family, be straightforward, but also highlight any relevant skills or experiences you gained during this time. Emphasize transferable skills, such as time management, organization, and problem-solving, that would be valuable in the workplace. Mention any volunteer work or part-time jobs you had while caring for your family.

Example of Explaining Personal Gaps

Let’s say you took a two-year break to raise your child. On your resume or cover letter, you could write something like:

“From 2020-2022, I took a hiatus from my professional career to focus on raising my child. During this time, I honed my skills in time management, multitasking, and problem-solving, and volunteered as a committee member for my local parent-teacher association. I’m now eager to return to the workforce and utilize these skills in a professional environment.”

Part 7 Addressing Gaps Due to Job Searching

If your employment gap was due to a job search, mention it briefly but confidently in your cover letter. You can write something along the lines of, “I took time off to explore new opportunities and ensure that my next role would be a good fit for my skillset and career goals.”

Focus on the positive aspects of your job search. Even if you didn’t have a full-time job during the gap, you likely gained valuable skills and experiences. Highlight volunteer work, freelance projects, or courses you took during your job search. These activities can demonstrate your commitment to self-improvement while reinforcing that you remained active and engaged during your time off.

Part 8 How to Address Employment Gaps due to COVID-19

COVID-19 has caused unprecedented disruptions in many industries, leading to substantial employment gaps for many workers. To address this, you can briefly mention the pandemic as the reason for the gap by including a note on your resume or discussing it in your cover letter. Employers are usually understanding of circumstances caused by the pandemic.

Due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a six month gap in my employment history between March 2020 and September 2020. As many businesses were required to shut down or drastically reduce operations during this time, I was temporarily laid off from my role as an administrative assistant. I have stayed active by volunteering in my community and pursuing online courses to develop new skills.

Part 9 Dealing with Gaps due to Freelance or Contract Work

Presenting freelance work.

When you have gaps in your employment history because of freelance or contract work, don’t worry! You can include it on your resume in a way that showcases your skills and experience. You can create a section named “Freelance and Contract Work” on your resume. List the projects you have worked on, the clients you have worked for, and your achievements in these assignments. This way, you demonstrate your relevant skills and show that you have been actively working during those gaps.

Example of Explaining Freelance Gaps

Here’s an example of how to present your freelance work in your resume:

Freelance and Contract Work (2017-2019)

Web Designer / Developer

• Worked with five clients to design and develop websites, resulting in increased web traffic and improved user experience.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to provide customized web solutions for small and medium-sized businesses.
• Utilized HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create responsive websites that adapt to different devices and browsers.

In this example, you are emphasizing the skills you gained during your freelance work and presenting them as valuable experiences. Make sure to include any significant accomplishments or projects you completed during this time, so employers can see that you’re a flexible and adaptable professional.

Part 10 Explaining Gaps Due to Sabbatical

Taking a sabbatical can actually be a positive aspect in your professional life. When explaining this gap on your resume, focus on the skills and knowledge you gained during your time off. Emphasize how these experiences contribute to your growth as a professional and can benefit future employers. For instance, if you traveled, learned a new language, or volunteered, mention how such experiences enhanced your creativity, adaptability, or leadership abilities. Furthermore, be honest about your reasons for taking a sabbatical, as transparency will make it easier for potential employers to appreciate your journey.

Example of Explaining Sabbatical Gaps

Here’s an example of how you can frame your sabbatical on a resume’s cover letter:

During my time away from the workforce, I took a six-month sabbatical to explore new cultures and learn a new language. This enriching experience not only allowed me to gain fluency in Spanish but also provided me with valuable insights into different work environments and business practices. With this knowledge, I am confident that I can bring fresh perspectives and increased adaptability to the team at (Company Name).

Remember to tailor your explanation to the specific job you’re applying for and how your sabbatical experiences relate to the role. This way, you can effectively turn your employment gap into a strong selling point.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are common reasons for employment gaps.

There are various reasons people may have employment gaps in their career. Some common reasons include layoffs or company downsizing, personal health issues, family caregiving responsibilities, time off for personal growth or travel, and furthering education or professional development.

What’s a good way to explain a career break for parenting?

Many people take career breaks for parenting, and it’s perfectly acceptable to explain this in your resume or cover letter. Be honest about your reasons and focus on the skills and experiences you gained during this time, such as time management, multitasking, and problem-solving, which can translate well to your professional life.

Is a short gap in employment considered negative?

A short gap of few months is typically not considered negative by most employers. Job search and transition periods are expected. However, if you have several short gaps, focus on demonstrating consistency in your career and highlighting your skills, experiences, and achievements to minimize any potential concerns.

How can you use a cover letter to address employment gaps?

A cover letter provides an opportunity to address your employment gaps by offering context and explaining the reasons behind those gaps. Briefly discuss the reason for the gap, mention any skills or experiences you gained during that time, and express your enthusiasm for getting back into the workforce. Showcasing your commitment and eagerness to contribute can help alleviate any concerns an employer may have.

Which resume format works best for covering employment gaps?

A functional resume format is often recommended for those with employment gaps, as it emphasizes skills and accomplishments, rather than listing work experience chronologically. Group your skills based on the type of work you’re applying for and include any relevant experiences or projects that showcase those abilities. This format can help shift the focus away from the employment gaps and towards your qualifications and value as a candidate.

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How to Explain an Employment Gap on Your Resume

Our customers have been hired at: * Foot Note

Addressing an employment gap on your resume can seem daunting, but with the right approach and strategies, you can effectively position yourself as a top job candidate to potential employers. 

Whether you took time off to care for a family member, pursue further education, or navigate a career transition, we provide practical advice and valuable tips for writing a resume that highlights your strengths and minimizes the impact of gaps in your work history. We’ll empower you to navigate the job application process confidently with a gap in employment on your resume so you can present yourself as a strong candidate in today’s competitive job market. 

We will cover: 

• What are employment gaps?
• How to account for an employment gap on your resume.
• The best formats for a resume with an employment gap.
• How to spotlight your skills and achievements on a resume with employment gaps.
• Where to explain an employment gap on your resume.

What are employment gaps? 

Employment gaps on a resume refer to periods where an individual was not employed or had a break in their work history. Employment gaps can occur for various reasons, such as taking time off to travel, raising a family, pursuing further education, or being unemployed. 

Potential employers understand that life circumstances and personal pursuits can lead to employment gaps. Still, they will want to know how you utilized that time and will often choose candidates who used their gap time effectively and remained engaged in personal or professional development. 

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Why you should address employment gaps in your resume

It’s best to be transparent about an employment gap in your resume. Lying about your employment history is not a good idea. Leaving resume gaps unexplained can raise red flags for employers, leading them to question your commitment or reliability. By proactively explaining how to address a gap in employment, you can demonstrate your ability to overcome challenges and dedication to your chosen field. Moreover, by effectively highlighting the skills and experiences gained during employment gaps on your resume, you can turn these periods into valuable assets that set you apart from other candidates. 

Did you know? A recent survey shows that 64.2% of job applicants admit to lying on their resumes, with 81.4% of those applicants getting caught. More than 35% of those cases have had their offers withdrawn, while others were fined. The lesson? Be honest about your job history, even if that means having employment gaps on your resume.

How to account for an employment gap on your resume

Don’t try to hide or lie about your employment gaps. Instead, address employment gaps on your resume by briefly explaining what you did during that time or highlighting relevant activities or skills you acquired during the gap period. A resume gap might help you stand out from other applicants depending on how you used your time. 

Here are some strategies to address employment gaps in your resume effectively:

1. Determine if you must display the employment gap on your resume

The first step in addressing an employment gap is to decide if it belongs on your resume. Your resume should be concise, cover about 10 years of your professional work history , and be only one or two pages long.

If your employment gap happened early in your career or lasted only a month or so, you may omit it from your resume and focus on your most recent and job-relevant positions. However, if your employment gaps happened more recently in your career or were long gaps, you should account for them in your resume. 

2. Fill in the gaps

Be honest. Explain what you were doing during each employment gap on your resume, whether it was a personal project or achievement that shows your passion, drive, and motivation, volunteer work that displays your desire to help others, or professional training that helped prepare you for your next role.

For example, if you used your time for a community service project, you could add it to your work history section like this:

6/2021 – 10/2022 Food Pantry Creator and Manager

• Created, managed and organized a neighborhood pantry that provided food for 350+ people per week. 
• Recruited and trained volunteers in food collection, organization and distribution.
• Managed a team of 10 regular volunteers.

Or if you took some time off to raise your children, your employment gap might look like this:

2020 – 2024 Full-time Present

Raised my four small children and managed the household.

3.  Highlight transferable skills 

Show potential employers that you learned valuable job-relevant skills during your employment gap. One way to do this is to highlight the transferable skills you picked up during a personal project, freelance work, or while traveling abroad. 

For example, you can create a dedicated section on your resume called “Core Competencies” to spotlight your transferable skills, like this:

Core Competencies

• Problem-solving
• Collaboration
• Active listening

4. Choose the right resume format

Your resume format can be an excellent tool for effectively framing an employment gap on your resume.  While the chronological resume format can work well for job applicants with a consistent work history, opt for the functional resume format if you have employment gaps. A functional resume layout lets you emphasize your education, soft and hard skills, and achievements over your employment history.

You will find hundreds more functional resumes in our extensive library of resume examples . Pick one for inspiration and customize it to your specifications with our  Resume Builder .  Simply choose a resume template and fill in the blanks using our expertly written content suggestions.

Where to address employment gaps in your resume

Don’t limit yourself to your job history section when addressing an employment gap on your resume. Here’s how to use each section of your resume to bridge the gap.

Professional summary or resume objective

If you took time off to raise a family, focus on an entrepreneurial venture, go back to school, or travel, you can briefly mention it in your professional summary or objective . 

For example:

Skills section

Your basic skills section can be divided into categories such as “ Soft Skills ” and “Technical Skills” to highlight some of your skills, and you can create a separate skills section called “Core Competencies” or “Key Qualifications” where you can list the skills you gained during your employment gap. 

For example, if you spent a year developing a community outreach program, you might add a separate skills section like this: 

Key qualifications: 

• Entrepreneurial mindset: Proven ability to identify opportunities, take calculated risks, and drive business growth through innovative strategies.
• Strategic planning: Experience developing and executing business plans, setting goals, and implementing effective strategies to achieve objectives.
• Leadership: Demonstrated leadership skills in managing teams, fostering collaboration, and inspiring others to achieve common goals.
• Problem-solving: Proficient in identifying challenges, analyzing root causes, and implementing solutions to overcome obstacles and drive success.
• Adaptability: Ability to thrive in dynamic environments, pivot quickly in response to changing circumstances, and embrace new challenges with resilience.

Employment history

Chances are, the employment gap on your resume will be obvious in your work history section, so treat it like a job. If you used the time away from work to volunteer for 

 example, you can add your volunteer experience in the same format as your work experiences like this: 

National Cancer Foundation Volunteer  January 2020 – March 2021

• Increased blog traffic by 50% within 6 months through strategic SEO optimization and engaging content creation, significantly boosting reader engagement and site visibility.
• Achieved a 75% increase in social media shares for blog posts by implementing targeted promotion strategies and fostering a strong online community, driving greater brand awareness and audience reach.
• Collaborated with top medical experts to secure guest posts, resulting in a 100% growth in backlinks and improving the blog’s domain authority, ultimately enhancing its credibility and search engine ranking.

Education section

When addressing employment gaps in the education section of your resume, highlight the value and relevance of the activities or experiences you undertook during that time. One approach is to list any relevant courses, certifications, workshops, or training programs completed during the gap period. This demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning and skill development.

Master of Business Administration (MBA) XYZ University, City, State Graduated: May 2021

Relevant Coursework: Strategic Management, Marketing Analytics, Financial Analysis

Note: Pursued MBA studies during a career break to enhance skills and knowledge in business administration.

Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) ABC University, City, State Graduated: May 2016

In the above example, the job seeker has used their education section to address employment gaps by including relevant coursework completed during their MBA studies. By mentioning that they pursued their MBA during a career break, they provide context for the gap in their employment history and highlight their commitment to professional development.

Addressing resume gaps in your cover letter

Addressing employment gaps in a cover letter requires a tactful approach that highlights your strengths and explains the reasons behind the gap in a positive light. You will find seven ways to address your employment gap in your cover letter. 

• Be transparent: Acknowledge the gap in your employment history directly and briefly. Avoid being defensive or providing unnecessary details. Employers appreciate honesty, so be straightforward about the reasons for the gap.
• Provide context: Briefly explain the circumstances that led to the employment gap. Whether it was due to personal reasons, career transition, further education, caregiving responsibilities, or voluntary work, provide a concise explanation that puts the gap into context.
• Highlight relevant activities: Emphasize any activities you pursued during the gap relevant to the job you’re applying for. This could include freelance work, consulting projects, volunteer work, professional development courses, or personal projects. Focus on how these experiences have helped you develop skills or gain insights that apply to the position.
• Emphasize your transferable skills: Use your cover letter to highlight the transferable skills you’ve gained or enhanced during the employment gap. Explain how these skills make you a strong candidate for the position and demonstrate your ability to adapt and learn in different situations.
• Focus on the positive: The cover letter should focus on your enthusiasm for the role and your eagerness to contribute to the company’s success. Express your excitement about the opportunity and your commitment to making a positive impact.
• Demonstrate readiness to return: Assure the employer that you are fully prepared to re-enter the workforce and are committed to making a meaningful contribution. Express confidence in your abilities and your readiness to hit the ground running.
• Customize your cover letter for each application: Tailor your explanation of the employment gap to each specific job application. Highlight the most relevant experiences and skills to the position and demonstrate how you are well-suited to excel in the role.

Accounting for an employment gap in your job interview

Addressing employment gaps in a job interview requires honesty, confidence, and an emphasis on how you used that time to grow personally and professionally. Here are seven ways to how to address employment gaps effectively during a job interview:

• Be prepared: Anticipate questions about your employment history and be ready to address any gaps. Reflect on the reasons behind the gap and what you did during that time.
• Be honest: Be truthful about the reasons for the employment gap. Whether it was due to personal reasons, further education, travel, caregiving responsibilities, or a career transition, be transparent about it.
• Focus on the positive: Emphasize what you learned and accomplished during the gap. Highlight any new skills you acquired, certifications you earned, volunteer work you did, or personal projects you pursued. Show how you used the time to develop yourself personally and professionally.
• Show initiative: Demonstrate that you were proactive during the gap period. Discuss any steps you took to stay connected to your industry, such as attending networking events, taking online courses, or participating in relevant projects.
• Stay confident: Remain confident and composed while discussing your employment history. Avoid appearing defensive or apologetic about the gap. Instead, focus on conveying your enthusiasm for the opportunity and readiness to contribute to the organization.
• Practice responses: Practice answering questions about your employment gap beforehand to ensure your responses are clear, concise and positive. Role-play with a friend or family member to gain confidence in discussing the topic.
• Redirect the conversation : If the interviewer seems overly focused on the employment gap, redirect the conversation to your qualifications, skills and achievements relevant to the job. Use the opportunity to highlight your strengths and suitability for the position.

Key takeaways

• Be honest. When addressing an employment gap in your resume, it is important to be honest about its reasons. Whether it was due to personal reasons, further education, or a period of unemployment, being transparent about the circumstances will help build trust with potential employers.
• Highlight relevant experiences. Use the time during the employment gap to engage in relevant activities to your field or industry. This could include volunteering, freelancing, taking online courses, or participating in professional development opportunities. Highlighting these experiences on your resume can demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning and growth.
• Emphasize the skills and knowledge you acquired during the employment gap. Whether through volunteer work, freelance projects, or personal development activities, showcasing the skills you gained can help demonstrate your value to potential employers.
• Address the gap in your cover letter. Use your cover letter to briefly explain the employment gap and how you used that time to enhance your skills and knowledge. This can provide context for potential employers and show that you proactively address their concerns.
• Be prepared to discuss the gap in interviews. Be ready to discuss the employment gap during job interviews. Practice explaining the reasons for the gap and how you used that time to grow personally and professionally. Showing self-awareness and a positive attitude towards the gap can help alleviate employers’ concerns.

How should I address employment gaps in my resume?

Addressing employment gaps in your resume can be done by focusing on the skills and experiences gained during that time, such as freelance work, volunteering, or relevant courses. Emphasize the value you can bring to the role rather than solely focusing on the gap itself.

Should I include the dates of employment gaps on my resume?

Including the dates of employment gaps is not necessary. Instead, highlight your skills, achievements and relevant experiences during employment gaps.

How can I explain employment gaps during an interview?

When explaining employment gaps during an interview, be honest and transparent. Highlight any personal or professional development activities you pursued during that time, and emphasize your readiness and enthusiasm to re-enter the workforce.

Can I use a functional resume format to downplay employment gaps?

Using a functional resume format can be an effective way to downplay employment gaps. This format allows you to highlight your skills and achievements rather than focus on your work history’s chronological order.

Should I mention employment gaps in my cover letter?

It is not necessary to explicitly mention employment gaps in your cover letter. Instead, use this opportunity to showcase your qualifications, skills, and enthusiasm for the position.

How far back should I go when listing my work experience?

Listing your work experience, including the past 10-15 years, is generally recommended. However, if you have relevant experience beyond that timeframe, you can also include it.

Can I use a combination resume format to address employment gaps?

Yes, a combination resume format can be a great option to address employment gaps. This format lets you highlight your skills and work experience, providing a comprehensive overview of your qualifications.

Should I include a section explaining employment gaps on my resume?

Including a section explaining employment gaps on your resume is not necessary. Instead, focus on showcasing your skills, achievements, and relevant experiences that make you a strong candidate for the position.

How can I make my employment gaps appear more positive on my resume?

Focus on the skills and experiences gained during that time to make your employment gaps appear more positive. Highlight any freelance work, volunteering, or relevant courses you undertook, demonstrating your commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.

Can I use a professional summary to address employment gaps?

Yes, a professional summary can be an effective way to address employment gaps. Use this section to highlight your key qualifications, skills and achievements, showcasing transferable skills, such as communication, leadership and problem-solving.

How we reviewed this article

Since 2013, we have helped more than 15 million job seekers. We want to make your career journey accessible and manageable through our services and Career Center’s how-to guides and tips. In our commitment to bring you a transparent process, we present our Editorial Process .

• Career Confidential. Article. Don’t be Tempted to Lie About Resume Gaps
• HRO Today. Article. Over Half of Employees Report Lying on Resumes
• Harvard Business Review. Revzin, Sergei. Revzin, Vadim. How to Fill an Employment Gap on Your Resume

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Kellie Hanna, CPRW

Career advice expert.

Kellie is a Certified Professional Resume Writer with 20+ years of experience in digital media and is passionate about helping job seekers navigate their careers. She earned a B.A. in English and writing from Temple University.

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*The names and logos of the companies referred to above are all trademarks of their respective holders. Unless specifically stated otherwise, such references are not intended to imply any affiliation or association with MyPerfectResume.

Career Gap on Your Resume? Here’s How to Explain It.

Have you been away from the workforce for six months? Six years? Even longer? Well, explaining your career gap may not be as difficult as you think.

What Counts As a Career Gap?

A career gap is time spent away from the workforce. Common career gap reasons include taking care of family, going to school to change careers, taking a sabbatical or being laid off. Contract work, launching a new business, or pivoting your career and then returning are not considered part of a career gap.

That’s because over the past several years, hiring managers and recruiters have been seeing career gaps in resumes with greater frequency, minimizing what once were considered red flags.

Regardless of this shift, it’s still important to artfully address it head on, no matter the length of your career gap.

Why Career Gaps Are No Longer Seen as Red Flags

Career gaps were once an on-going concern for employers, often viewed as potential red flags.

They could signal a prospective employee could be a short-timer or someone who was not focused on their career, Yuletta Pringle, an HR advisor at the Society for Human Resource Management , told Built In.

Or, they’d wonder how the job candidate spent their time while they were out of the workforce and whether they are ready to resume work, Amy Mangan, vice president and branch director at recruiting firm Robert Half , told Built In.

But since the pandemic hit, employers have become more accepting of career gaps because they are now increasingly viewed as part of life, said Tracy Stone, director of diversity, equity and inclusion in tech at fintech company Intuit .

“In an economic downturn or market where there are more layoffs, career gaps can be seemingly more common.”

During the pandemic, employees left in droves for a number of reasons, including to take care of family members , to reevaluate their career choices or to go back to school.

Massive layoffs have also helped normalize career gaps.

In the past month alone, tech companies have slashed an estimated 60,000 jobs , according to CBS News . The tech industry also bore the brunt of layoffs last year, with 97,171 job cuts — up a whopping 649 percent from the previous year, according to a recent report from outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

“In an economic downturn or market where there are more layoffs, career gaps can be seemingly more common,” said Jason Buss, vice president of talent acquisition at game development platform company Roblox .

More on Leadership Ask These Questions to Find Out If a Company Values Women in Leadership

How to Explain a Career Gap in a Resume

When putting together a resume or updating it, ensure you include a start month and year and end month and year for each time period you were in the workforce, which is considered a standard format. You should also include the start and end dates for any career gaps if they lasted six months or longer.

These periods when you were working and not working should be laid out in chronological order on your resume under your professional experience, Mangan said. Include any relevant activities, experience or skills you may have picked up during your career gap and tie them to the job you are seeking.

“As the six-month mark approaches, I would start to think about what you can add to your resume to show you weren’t just sitting at home.”

By accounting for any type of career gaps on your resume, recruiters and hiring managers can quickly understand the sequence of events.

“It really goes a long way to prompt folks to say, OK, I get it. I can see what they were up to and how they’re ready to go back to work, great,” said Mangan.

For current job seekers, if you have the luxury of time to update your skills, volunteer for industry organizations, mentor, sit on a board or engage in activities that could potentially tie into the future work you wish to do, it’s a step worth taking.

“As the six-month mark approaches, I would start to think about what you can add to your resume to show you weren’t just sitting at home,” Mangan told Built In. “Did you sit on a board? Were you involved in an industry networking group? All of these could be included in your resume.”

Resume Examples

Cloud Security Student and Volunteer        January 2018-August 2018 Attended cloud security courses at ISC(2) and became a Certified Cloud Security Professional. Volunteered at the RSA Conference for programs on cloud security and worked with high school students on cybersecurity best practices.                 

PTA President and Caregiver                       March 2020-November 2021 Organized and ran the PTA at my child’s school and collaborated with 45 parents to hold fundraising events and other programs, while also devoting time to my child’s online schooling.   

More on Job Searching Why You Shouldn’t Write Off Job Hunting Over the Holidays

How to Explain a Career Gap in a Cover Letter 

Although addressing a career gap in a cover letter is optional, it can provide a vehicle and additional space to share insights and information about the reasons for your career gap and the activities you performed while out of the workforce if they are relevant to the position you are currently seeking. 

This information in your cover letter can play a greater importance if you don’t mention your career gap in your resume. 

For example, maybe you spent six months or more focused solely on finding a job and have nothing else to list for that time period on your resume. You can address it in your cover letter with a simple sentence that states you spent that time as a job applicant. 

And in cases where you spent time out of the workforce due to recharging your batteries, helping your family members, or traveling, it too can be noted in your cover letter. 

Other activities can also be noted in your cover letter in a single sentence or paragraph, depending on how relevant they are to the position you are seeking. Make sure to couch your words in a positive tone that shows you are eager to address your next opportunity. 

Cover Letter Example

During the pandemic, I paused my career to assist my children with their online schooling. I also formed a virtual school co-op to support my children and their classmates. I organized, collaborated and led activities and programs for the children with the help of other co-op parents and developed a shared resource system to address student needs. I am very interested in applying these skills and my past software engineering experience to the team lead software engineering role at your organization.

How to Address a Career Gap in a Job Interview

So, you’ve successfully addressed your career gap in your resume and cover letter. Now it’s time to tackle it in your job interview. Ask friends or family to conduct a mock job interview with you in the days leading up to your interview. Or, at a minimum, record yourself practicing how you would respond to an interviewer’s questions, including an inquiry about your career gap. 

An interviewer may ask questions like, “Can you walk me through your work history” or “I noticed this gap in your work history, can you tell me about it?” These types of questions come from their curiosity and aren’t designed to put you in a hot seat.

There is also a chance you may not be asked about your career gap during the job interview and you should not feel compelled to discuss it unless you wish.

“A break sounds more definitive but framing it as a pause can be helpful ... It’s a very positive way to frame it and own it. I love it when I hear people talk about it that way.”

If it does come up, Intuit’s Stone advised calling your career gap a pause during the interview. Careers are long and ever changing, so think about your career as chapters with a pause in between, she said. Briefly explain why you left and how, after your pause, you are looking forward to your next chapter.

“A break sounds more definitive but framing it as a pause can be helpful,” Stone said, offering an alternative word choice that sounds softer to the ear. “It’s a very positive way to frame it and own it. I love it when I hear people talk about it that way.”

You do not need to go into great detail about why you have a career gap, but rather address it briefly, with transparency and confidence, she added. Answer the question about your career gap directly, rather than sidestepping the question with a vague response.

After you briefly touch on your career gap, you should then segue into your interest and enthusiasm for the job you’re interviewing for.

Example Job Interview Responses

• If you were laid off: I was part of a reduction in force that laid off 10 percent of the workforce. I would be very excited to have an opportunity to leverage my experience at your organization for this role. 
• If you left for caregiving: My child needed additional attention and support with their online schooling and I took a pause from work to assist. But with school now returning to in-person sessions, I am eager to return to the workforce and your opportunity is especially appealing.
• If you took some time to reset: Due to some changes in my life at the time, I decided to take a pause from the workforce. Those changes no longer require my time and I am very interested to learn more about this opportunity and your company.    

More on Career Development 5 Ways to Continue Your Skills Development and Grow Your Career

Consider Upskilling

If you are just leaving the workforce or are someone who has been out for months or years and has a plan to reenter, consider devoting some time to updating your skills.

This step would serve two purposes. One, it can help account for some of your career gap on your resume. And secondly, it can further update your skills , making you an even stronger candidate.

Roblox’s Buss said there are a number of things people can do while waiting for their next job. They include continuing education, like classes at Udacity or bootcamps at Fullstack Academy , to fill the skill gaps you have for those positions you are most interested in.

Tech courses and certifications, like Built In’s Learning Lab , are another way to enhance your skill set. And there are a number of programs available based on industry sector. For example, trade association (ISC)2 offers cybersecurity certifications, the Blockchain Council provides blockchain certifications, and Coursera offers AI certifications.

Regardless of a career gap, if a person has kept their skills current, whether it’s getting Google Career Certificates training or doing something like LinkedIn Learning , that is going to separate them from someone who has not updated their skills and only has had a consistent job without ever taking time off, Mangan said.

Great Companies Need Great People. That's Where We Come In.

• Job Search Tips

How to Address Employment Gaps in Resumes

11 min read

Strategic job seekers want to know how to explain employment gaps, or if unemployment gaps will look bad to prospective employers or recruiters. Many people have employment gaps of six months or less, while others have been out of the workplace for years.

The truth is that very few people – even hiring managers and recruiters – have a perfect, linear career history. 

In this article, we will discuss how to best handle each situation that led to gaps in employment. We also have resume samples with gaps in employment. By the end of this article, you will know how to address employment gaps in your resume.

What is an employment gap on your resume?

Employment gaps on your resume denote any period of time you were away from the workforce and can range from a matter of weeks to any number of years. Sometimes these gaps in employment are caused by getting fired due to performance issues or quitting a job, while other reasons for being unemployed may include caretaking, personal health concerns, or long-term traveling.

The bottom line is if there is some empty time between when you left one job and started another, that’s a gap and you’ll likely have to explain why it exists.

Why do employers care about employment gaps?

A lot of people wonder why they have to explain employment gaps on their resumes. Why do hiring managers and employers care that you took some time off work? 

There are several things they want to know: 

When you were unemployed

How long the unemployment lasted

What was the reason you were unemployed

Whether you did anything during that period of unemployment to boost your skills or qualifications

For example, if you were unemployed for a month or two twenty years ago, odds are that your prospective employer won’t care. On the other hand, if the gap is more recent and longer in duration – over six months – you need to have a plan to address this concern.

Employers and hiring managers also want to know the reason for the employment gap. If you have a habit of quitting your jobs, resulting in multiple gaps on your resume, you’re going to have a more difficult time explaining why your work history is so unreliable.

On the other hand, if you have a good reason for the gap, your unemployment on your resume will be far easier to explain. Good reasons include taking time off to care for your mother or going back to school for an advanced degree. 

Basically, they want to know that you didn’t embezzle a bunch of money from your last job and end up in jail. Of course, this is a wild example of what you’re trying to disprove when you are explaining employment gaps on your resume, but it’s important for you to know that hiring managers aren’t trying to back you into a corner to trick you into saying something that will disqualify you for an open position. 

All they really care about is what you bring to the table for their company and team. So, if your skills match and you have the basic qualifications for the job, then go ahead and apply without worrying about that gap. 

How to address employment gaps in your resume

The best way to address employment gaps is to be honest and strategic without drowning the hiring manager in explanations.

1. Don't lie

Don’t change dates in an attempt to stretch out periods of employment so that they cover up any gaps, and don't fabricate experiences. It’s unethical, and there’s a good chance that the employer will find out.

Being honest doesn’t mean excluding other relevant experiences like volunteer work or professional experience classes you’ve taken. Also, if you were off because you had to take care of a family member who was in the final stages of life, it’s okay to say that, too. 

2. Be strategic

If the employment gap on your resume is just a few months long, then you can omit the months from the timeframe listings on your resume. 

Write this: ABC Company | Finance Consultant | 2022-2024 DEF Inc | Finance Analyst | 2012-2021

Don’t write this: ABC Company | Finance Consultant | 06/2022-01/2024 DEF Inc | Finance Analyst | 09/2012-11/2021

In the first example, it’s not obvious that you were out of work for six months in 2022, but in the second example it’s plain to see that there is an employment gap on your resume. 

Another strategy you can use is to only include roles on your resume that are professionally relevant to the role you want. You don’t have to include every job you’ve ever had; keep your professional experience section to the last 10 years and put other roles as a list under “Additional Career Experience.”

Here’s what that looks like:

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Company A | Title of Position | mm/yyyy-mm/yyyy

Company B | Title of Position | mm/yyyy-mm/yyyy

ADDITIONAL CAREER EXPERIENCE: Company C | Title of Position Company D | Title of Position

If you opt to include an “Additional Career Experience” section, put it beneath the “Professional Experience” section and simply list the company name and the title of the role. This way, employers can see that you had other jobs, which could help explain any employment gaps on your resume before they even talk to you.

3. Don't overshare

It is so easy to provide too much information about something that’s happened in your life. This is especially true when you get into a defensive mode. The first thing to do to avoid oversharing information about employment gaps in your resume is to calm your defenses, remembering that the employer isn’t trying to trick you into saying something that will hurt your candidacy. 

Once you calm your defensive nerves, prepare a statement about what you were doing during the time you took off work. 

Here are a couple of short and sweet examples of how to explain employment gaps on your resume:

“I took six months off work to augment what I knew about [SKILL]. I took [Class A and Class B] and am now able to perform [JOB REQUIREMENT].” 

“I was out of pocket for a little over a year because a dear family member was diagnosed with an illness and had no one to help her. At this point, I’m ready to re-enter the workforce and leverage my background in [SKILL 1 and SKILL 2] to fulfill [JOB REQUIREMENT].”

Did you notice a trend in those two examples? They both ended with what you will be able to do for the company. Yes, the gap was addressed, and now you’ve directed the conversation back to your skills and qualifications. That’s a WIN!

4. List the gap right in line with the rest of your work history

The most common way to bring to light an employment gap is to list it just like you would any other job listing on your resume. Depending on what the employment gap on your resume was for, you could opt to include bullet points or exclude them altogether. For example:

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Company A | Title of Position | mm/yyyy-Present

Full-time Parent | mm/yyyy-mm/yyyy

Or, with bullets:

Work Sabbatical | mm/yyyy-mm/yyyy

Traveled abroad to open clinics in underprivileged areas of Africa

Acclimated to new customs and traditions

Managed and delegated tasks to a team of 4

Maintained and updated financial record to keep track of donations and fundraising money

The test for whether to add bullets or not lies in whether you did anything during your time outside the workforce that would call attention to RELEVANT skills and qualifications 

When to use these resume gap tips

If you have an otherwise strong history of employment that is marred by one noticeable gap, you can often use the chronological resume format . You should still be honest when listing your work experience, and you will need to explain gaps in employment so that the employer understands why you were unemployed.

On the other hand, if you’ve had periods of unemployment lasting for more than a year, it's hard to gloss over them – even using a functional resume format . While the functional resume format is great for minimizing the appearance of job hopping, it’s critical that you know there is a bit of a stigma associated with its use. So, use this format for addressing employment gaps in your resume only as a last resort.

Instead of using your resume to explain the gap, you can address your unemployment in another part of your job application. As you’ll see below, the cover letter can sometimes be the perfect place to address this issue.

How to use a cover letter for explaining gaps in employment

Many experts recommend that you commit to using part of your cover letter to deal with gaps. Your cover letter is your introduction to the prospective employer and your first opportunity to make a positive impression – but that also means that it can be an ideal place to dispense with potential distractions so that the hiring manager can spend his time focusing on the value you offer.

1. Don’t dwell on the negatives

Don’t lose sight of the positive benefits from your previous employment. There are lots of valid reasons for unemployment, but you can still focus on the periods of employment.

Did a personal tragedy disrupt your life and send you off in search of new meaning for your life? Skip the tragedy and focus on what you learned from that sabbatical.

Did your company shutter its doors, resulting in a lengthy period of unemployment? Give less emphasis to the closing and more on how you used your time on the unemployment line to make yourself an even more valuable hire.

2. Focus on your strengths

Your cover letter should serve as a primer for your resume. It should emphasize your strengths. Since hiring managers only care about how your abilities and character can benefit their companies, your cover letter needs to draw a straight line between your skills and the company’s bottom line.

With that in mind, try to de-emphasize small gaps and quickly explain larger periods away from the workplace. How you do that will likely depend upon the reason for the gap and what you accomplished in your time off. Here are two examples of the types of explanations that might be useful for your unique situation.

Sample cover letter explaining parental leave

“After a successful nine-year career as a computer programmer for XYZ Corp., I took maternity leave, and then completed my bachelor’s degree in business management. During that period, I have been preparing for the next step in my career development by developing the exact set of skills that your company is presently seeking.

Here are some more useful tips for maternity leave .

Sample cover letter explaining a layoff

“I spent 22 years working in the widget industry, with the last seven of those years employed as a senior floor manager. After the widget industry moved its operations overseas several years ago, our plant was closed and all domestic employees were laid off. In the time since that closing, I’ve completed (insert educational accomplishment or training) to develop the skills needed for this job.”

Sample cover letter explaining medical leave

"After spending 7 years as an accountant I had to take a break to deal with an illness. During this time I read and studied all the changes to accounting principles and procedures. I've fully recovered and am really excited to join the workforce again"

We wrote a good post here on how to deal with employment gaps on your resume due to a disability .

Employment gaps on your resume are now addressed

You should be cognizant of the need to deal with work gaps, but not to the point where it paralyzes you and prevents you from focusing on the skills and positive attributes you bring to the table.

It’s valuable to remember that today’s employers are far more accustomed to work gaps than in times past. While companies of the past once hired and retained employees for life, that is a far less common occurrence today. Most workers today have career paths that include a variety of different jobs.

Still, there is a need to explain frequent gaps and gaps that last for more than a few months. What you shouldn’t do, however, is obsess over them in your resume and cover letter. Explain them in a confident manner, and then get on with the more important task of selling your skill set to that employer!

Good luck with your job search!

If you’d like, ZipJob can give your resume a once-over to make sure that any employment gaps you have on your resume are properly formatted. We’ll review it for you for free .

Recommended reading:

What A Good Cover Letter Looks Like

How To Format Your Resume For An ATS Test

Why Is It So Hard to Find a Job? (+ 6 Tips)

Marsha Hebert, Professional Resume Writer

Marsha is a resume writer with a strong background in marketing and writing. After completing a Business Marketing degree, she discovered that she could combine her passion for writing with a natural talent for marketing. For more than 10 years, Marsha has helped companies and individuals market themselves. Read more advice from Marsha on ZipJob's blog .

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How to Explain a Gap in Your Résumé

Your résumé is often a hiring manager’s first impression of you. They want to see that you’re reliable and have the experience and skills you’ll need to do the job. So if you have a résumé gap, which happens if you went without employment for a period of time, you might be worried that it will work against you during the hiring process.

The truth is that an employment gap can happen to anybody. In fact, 59% of Americans have experienced a gap at some point. There can be any number of reasons why this might happen, like taking time off to raise your kids, getting treatment for an illness, changing your career, or getting laid off in a tough economy.

These topics can be difficult to talk about, especially in an interview.

To help you navigate the conversation with confidence, here are key tactics for discussing a gap, regardless of the reason for it, as well as example responses and other useful interview tips to put into practice.

Give your résumé extra polish Grammarly helps you write confidently Write with Grammarly

How to talk about COVID résumé gaps

Whether you got sick, had to take care of your kids after daycare closed, felt unsafe going to your in-person job, or working from home led you to rethink your lifestyle and join the Great Resignation , many people’s jobs were impacted by the pandemic. Plus, by October 2021, there were 4.2 million fewer jobs than there were in February 2020, around the onset of the pandemic, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities .

In other words, you’re definitely not alone, and there may be a silver lining: According to LinkedIn, 79% of hiring managers would hire a candidate with a career gap on their résumé, so it seems the stigma associated with employment gaps is fading.

When it comes to discussing a COVID-related gap, it’s completely acceptable to say that the gap in your work history is a result of the pandemic. The key is to contextualize that detail with information that’s useful to an interviewer. In that way, it’s just like talking about any other résumé gap, and the tips below will help you understand how best to frame things.

How to talk about employment gaps

The key to talking about an employment gap is turning it into a positive. That may sound strange at first, but the idea is to use the résumé-gap question to transition into why you’re a great fit for the job. After all, that’s what an interview is meant to assess.

One important thing to note here: You should never feel pressured to go into personal details when explaining why you took time away from work. Instead, the goal is to show that a gap in employment doesn’t impact your qualifications to take on this particular role.

With that in mind, here are two tactics you should use when talking about an employment gap:

1   Focus on the qualifications that make you a good fit for the job

If you can find a way to relate your résumé gap to job-specific skills, you’re going to set yourself up to be in a better position during an interview. Here are some valuable skills that you could focus on:

• Detail-orientation
• Your ability to learn quickly
• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Organization
• Being a team player
• Adaptability
• Being a self-starter

Once you tie the skill to your employment gap, it’s time to tie that to the job you’re applying for. By following that conversational flow, you can redirect the focus to your future.

>>Read more: How to Customize Your Résumé for Different Jobs

2   Show that you’re ready to rejoin the workforce

Making the transition from unemployment to full-time work can be difficult, even if it’s what you want most, and during an interview, that can feel like a catch-22. You can ease interviewers’ minds by actively showing that you’re ready to make that change.

For example, if you took on part-time work or freelanced during your employment gap but didn’t include that on your résumé, you might talk about that experience and how it acts as a stepping stone for your career. If you took a course or earned a certificate in your field, those can be signals that you have been actively pursuing a position like the one you’re applying for. Talking about the soft skills you’ve gained during your time away from work can also contribute to your readiness to start working again.

>>Read more: How Far Back Should Your Résumé Go?

On the flipside, talking about an employment gap in purely negative terms can count as a strike against you. That isn’t to say you have to pretend to be happy about a layoff or getting sick, but it’s important to keep the primary focus of your answer on your qualifications.

6 examples of skillful résumé-gap responses

1 You had COVID-19: Unfortunately, I got COVID during the first wave. It took a while to recover, but now that I’m ready to return to work, I’ve been focused on finding a company that values X. [Company name] caught my eye when I learned that Y.

2  You changed your career: After [reason/event], I discovered I wanted to change my career path. I knew that was going to require X, so I took time away from work to build my knowledge of the industry and upskill by reading Y and doing Z.

3  You needed a break: I took time away from work from [year to year]. In anticipation of my return to the workforce, I’ve done X, Y, and Z.

4  You took time off as a parent: I was focused on raising my kid during that time. It’s definitely an experience that will teach you how to multitask like a pro while keeping an eye on the details. Now that they’ve gone back to school/graduated, I’m excited to return to X job/industry.

5  You were laid off: After working at [company name], I spent time learning [new skill]. For example, I took [course] and earned my X certificate.

6  You had family obligations: There was a family situation that required my full attention during that time. Although I wasn’t able to work, I did keep up with X industry through Y and Z.

When in doubt, stick to interviewing classics

Regardless of whether you have gaps in your work history, everyone can benefit from these tried-and-true interviewing tips :

• Research the employer to prepare: The more you know about a company’s mission and approach to work, the better equipped you’ll be for the interview.
• Prepare answers to common questions: Just because a question is common doesn’t mean it’s easy to answer on the fly. (See: Why do you want to work here? and What would you say is your biggest weakness? )
• Make sure your cover letter and résumé are mistake-free: You have only so much time and real estate to make the case for why you should get the job, so typos can stick out and hurt your chances. Grammarly’s writing assistance can help ensure your application is polished and professional.
• Get there on time: Punctuality is critical. It shows you’re taking the opportunity and company seriously. Be sure to allow time for transportation or tech issues.
• Practice active listening skills: When you really listen, you’ll be able to find opportunities to showcase your skills, preparation, and interest in the job.
• Make sure the skills you highlight are relevant: Delegation is a useful management skill, but if you’re applying for an entry-level job, it may not be applicable. 
• Have a list of questions for your interviewer: This is another opportunity to show that you’ve prepared for the interview, and it gives you the opportunity to evaluate whether the employer suits your needs. 
• Follow up post-interview with a thank-you note: It’s a small gesture, but it’s an opportunity to reiterate your interest and remind the interviewer why you’re a great fit for the job.

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How To Explain a Gap in Employment on Your Resume

Whether you were out of work for a few weeks or a few years, we have all the advice you need to explain a gap in employment and land your next job

7 months ago   •   6 min read

“Can you explain this gap on your resume?”

It’s the question every job seeker dreads. It isn’t always easy to explain a gap in employment, even if you have a good reason — and if you don’t, it might seem like an insurmountable challenge.

But an employment gap doesn’t have to be a red flag to employers. Explaining the reason behind it simply, honestly, and directly is the best way to deal with any kind of gap on your resume.

Let’s start with a few basic principles to keep in mind when navigating employment gaps on your resume (and beyond).

Rules for explaining a resume gap

Need to explain an employment gap on your resume? Here’s how.

• Don’t draw attention to it. If you have a very short gap (less than 6 months), you may be able to get away without explaining it at all.
• Don’t try to hide it. On the other hand, you shouldn’t tie yourself in knots trying to hide a gap — it really isn’t that big a deal.
• Be direct. It’s better to explain a resume gap upfront instead of waiting to be asked about it.
• Accentuate the positive. If you did any freelance work , volunteering , or retraining during your time off, focus on that.
• Less is more. Don’t spend too much time explaining a resume gap or going into unnecessary detail — address it and move on.
• Keep it professional. Always try to come up with a standard, professional reason for your employment gap (scroll down for some examples you can use).
• Don’t lie. Above all else, never lie on your resume or during the hiring process. If you’re asked a direct question, answer it honestly.

To address any gaps in your resume, consider utilizing your freelance work, volunteer experience, or personal projects. To determine whether you've done this effectively, upload your resume to the tool below — it will scan it and offer suggestions for improvement.

Good reasons for having a resume gap

Struggling to come up with a “good enough” reason for having a resume gap? First off, here’s the good news: employers don’t really care about your employment gap.

What they want to know is whether or not it’s a red flag related to something they do care about — for example, if you were fired for cause or have a tendency to quit jobs without notice. As long as you can rule out some of the most common causes for concern, your actual reason isn’t all that important.

The reason you give for an employment gap should be professional, concise, and easy to understand. For example:

Good: “I was let go due to organizational changes.” Bad: “I was let go because I didn't get along with my manager.”

Avoid getting personal with your reasons — even if the real reason was personal. For example:

Good: “I took a break to focus on personal development and education.” Bad: “I took time off to deal with personal issues.”

If you can’t avoid getting a little personal, keep it as brief and surface-level as possible. For example:

Good: “I took some time off to care for a sick family member.” Bad: “I had to move across the country because my aunt was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and nobody else wanted to look after her.”

Above all, don’t mention anything that will give a recruiter further cause for concern. You want to indicate that whatever caused the employment gap is fully in the past (even if that’s not a hundred percent true). For example:

Good: “I took some time off after the birth of my child.” Bad: “I wanted to be a stay at home parent but we can’t afford it right now, so I’m looking for a job until we can.”

How to explain an employment gap on a resume (with examples)

Option #1: leave out the explanation.

You can downplay smaller employment gaps by listing years on your resume instead of months. For example, it’s okay to put:

Position #1, 2022-Present Position #2, 2020-2022

Instead of:

Position #1, July 2022-Present Position #2, January 2020-April 2022

Don’t do this to hide a longer period of unemployment, but for gaps of up to a few months, it’s perfectly fine.

Option #2: Include a short explanation

If the gap is long enough that you can’t easily gloss over it, the next best step is to explain it as briefly as possible. In between the jobs where the gap is, write a short headline like

“Leave of absence” or “Career hiatus” with a one-line explanation underneath. For example:

Leave of absence, 2020-2021 Took hiatus from work to be a stay-at-home parent.

Option #3: Showcase experience gained during an employment gap

Generally, you should avoid listing an employment gap as if it were a job itself — for example, don’t list “ Stay at home mom ” or “CEO of household” as if it’s a professional job. That said, it is okay to list a career hiatus in your Work Experience section as long as you have relevant accomplishments to list from that period of time.

Things it’s okay to list include:

• Volunteering
• Freelance work
• Side hustles
• Personal projects
• Education (including short courses)

If you did any of these, you probably picked up more than a few transferable skills , so try to highlight these with 1-2 bullet point accomplishments. For example:

If you volunteered:

Volunteered at a local non-profit organization, where I gained experience in event planning, fundraising, and community outreach.

If you did freelance work:

Freelanced as a writer and editor, developing skills in project management, communication, and meeting deadlines.

If you took a course:

Took courses in digital marketing and SEO to enhance my skills in the marketing industry, demonstrating a commitment to personal and professional growth.

Beyond the resume: Explaining an employment gap throughout the application process

How to explain an employment gap in your cover letter.

You don’t need to address a gap in employment in your cover letter , but you can if it helps put your mind at ease. Don’t go into too much detail about the gap itself or the reasons behind it — instead, focus on the skills you gained during that time and how they make you a good fit for the role. Any references to an employment gap shouldn’t take up more than 1-2 sentences in your cover letter.

If you're unsure how to talk about a gap on your cover letter, use this cover letter generator . It's built by hiring managers and you can ask it for a hiring manager that subtly describes your gap without drawing too much attention to it.

How to explain an employment gap in an interview

If you have any kind of gap in employment — even a seemingly insignificant one — you should come prepared to answer questions about it in an interview. Like any other common interview question, the key is to practice what you want to say beforehand. Try to:

• Keep your answer to 30 seconds or so — don’t dwell on it.
• Avoid saying anything negative about a past employer. Come up with a diplomatic-sounding reason and leave blame or emotion out of it.
• Bring it back around to the job. After you’ve explained why the gap is there, mention the skills you acquired during that time and tie it into what you know about the job. For example, “During that time, I enrolled in a team management course. I saw that you mentioned team management in the job description, so can you tell me more about that?"
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• How to Explain an Employment Gap on Your Resume (with examples)

The job hunt is never easy. It takes a lot of time and efforts to create a resume  that will impress recruiters and make them want to invite you for an interview. But what if your resume employment history is far from perfect? Some of us can take some time off from work for different reasons. Some people take this time to raise a child, finish their education, travel abroad. Some people got laid off or even fired from a previous job and it took a few months to find a new one. What is the perfect way for explaining gaps in employment? We will show you how to create a consistent resume that will demonstrate that you are a reliable professional who is a perfect fit for a job.

Use dates on a resume wisely

If you’re wondering how to explain gaps in employment, the main advice is to stay honest. You don’t have to lie on your resume. Anyway, recruiters will find out about employment gaps and in this case, it would be even worse for you. However, some effective ways will help you to attract recruiters and increase your chances of getting a job.

First of all, there are no strict requirements for including all your job history especially if you’ve been in the workforce for decades. If you are looking for a senior/middle level position then your experience on entry-level jobs that are outdated or don’t correlate with your current career field won’t be relevant.

The easiest way to cover up your recent employment gaps on resume is to avoid mentioning exact months of employment. When you list dates of employment on your resume, you do not necessarily have to list the month/year in case you worked for more than one year.

For example, you can include it like this:

Account Manager - XYZ Company

Boston, MA - 2016 - 2018

Instead of this:

Boston, MA - January 2016 - August 2017

If you omit months in dates on your resume you will be able to hide and fill the gap. Then if you were unemployed till December 2017, you could easily list it as 2017 and this gap in resume won’t be obvious to recruiters.

Head of Marketing  - XYZ Company

New York, NY - 2018 - Present

Marketing Manager - XYZ Company

New York, NY - 2015 - 2018

Add other professional experience

You can fill the gap in employment history with other activities you have performed during your pause. If you have done some freelance, consulting or volunteering, it will definitely matter in your resume. It will cover gaps in resume and demonstrate to a hiring manager that you didn’t waste your time but kept improving your professional skills or contributed to society. This info can be definitely included in a resume. List the experience as if you would list the common work experience. Include company/organization title, dates and list your main duties, responsibilities and your contribution or accomplishments. If you have undergone some professional training, include your certificates and knowledge gained during classes. Everything will explain gaps in employment and is worth putting on your resume.

“After a successful job performance as a Marketing Manager for XYZ company, I took maternity leave, and then completed my professional certification. During that period, I decided to take my career to the next level and used this time also for developing the skill set needed to succeed on this role.”

Put emphasis on your strengths

By adding a resume section called “Career summary”, you can highlight all your core skills and professional knowledge and briefly describe your main career achievements. It will draw recruiter’s attention to your profile.

In case you stayed at home for a long time and want to make your application as strong as possible, you can create a cover letter for long term unemployed. The best strategy to cover up your career gaps is to create a compelling story and provide some details about your value as an employee and as a professional. The main purpose of this cover letter is to highlight your main strengths.

Recruiters don’t care much about eventual gaps in your career. What matters to them is what contribution you can bring to their team and what abilities and qualification will allow you to perform your duties effectively. A successful cover letter will not just describe your expertise and abilities but their possible implementation in the company you want to apply for. Remember that a cover letter should sell you and your skills. Once again you can additionally describe how you have spent time off from work and how you have used this time to improve your professionalism.

Try different resume format

It’s worth mentioning that there exist three main resume formats - chronological, functional and combination resume. Most likely you have heard only of a chronological resume. In this case, your job history is obviously listed chronologically. Most recruiters prefer a chronological resume to functional one but it’s highly recommended to try out functional resume format to make your gaps less obvious. This resume format is perfect as the focus shifts from your professional experience to skills and knowledge that you have gained during your career life. You still have to list your previous employment but take into consideration our abovementioned advice regarding eliminating months in dates.

While creating your resume and listing your skills you should use an employer’s job description because it includes all the important keywords a hiring manager will seek in your resume. Focus on skills that are the most relevant to the desired job opening. Concentrate not on your career gaps but on demonstrating how qualified and skilled you are for the job even despite some time off from work. Recruiters will appreciate it more rather than a dry list of job titles.

Resume with gaps in employment sample

Here is a great example of a functional resume that will be perfect if you have some employment gaps.

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Here are some of our top tips on explaining gaps in your resume, and how to handle common employment gap scenarios.

Explaining and Conquering Employment Gaps on Your Resume

Whether it’s taking voluntary time off to care for children and loved ones or getting laid off or terminated from a job, many job seekers wonder how to handle employment gaps in their resumes.

Fortunately, by being honest, positive, and proactive , you can explain nearly any employment gap in a way that will make hiring managers focus on all your wonderful skills and experience , not the spaces in between.

How to Explain Gaps in Your Resume

1. demonstrate continuous learning.

Whether your employment gap is one month or one year, it can’t hurt to demonstrate that you were doing something work-related and keeping your skills fresh while you weren’t fully employed. Volunteering on a board or taking online classes are examples of ways to show that you’re staying current.

2. Stay Positive

Having a resume gap isn’t always a negative, but knowing how to navigate the situation can alleviate any potential anxiety. Your mindset can make all the difference in how it affects you and your chances of landing a new role.

“Keep in mind that having a positive, forward-thinking attitude about your job search will help you make continuous progress toward finding and securing your next position. No matter the reason for your career break, think about the accomplishments and career highlights you do have and leverage that in each of your applications,” shared Toni Frana, a FlexJobs career expert.

Remember that tone also goes a long way in an interview. If you appear upbeat about your career trajectory and explain gaps in employment in a positive way, prospective employers will be much more confident in your ability to excel in the duties of the new position.

3. Add a “Career Break” Placeholder on Your Resume

It might be helpful to add a new entry in your professional experience section: Career Break. By addressing the gap directly on your resume, you’re helping both the applicant tracking systems and people reading your resume understand why you have a gap.

To do this, you’d add your career break just like any other job, with the job title as Career Break, Planned Career Break, or Professionally Active Career Break, and the dates it occurred.

We’ve created a number of templates and samples for your job search so you can see what this might look like in practice.

Furthermore, one study compared job applicants who disclosed a reason for their work gap to those who did not. It found that candidates who provided reasoning for their work gap on their resume and cover letter received 60% more interviews than those who did not give a reason at all.

4. Career Gap Resume Example

If you have a gap in your resume, below is an example of how this can be formatted.

5. Change Your Resume Format

While we recommend that you address the career break up front, you may not be comfortable addressing the gap, or there may not be a brief enough way to describe it in a “Career Break” entry like the one we describe above. In this case, you can consider using a different resume format. FlexJobs’ career experts recommend using a hybrid resume format if you’re unable to address the career break. If the hybrid format isn’t a fit for you, another option would be a functional resume format .

Types of Employment Gaps and How to Handle Them

1. parental leave.

Perhaps you wanted more parental leave than your company provided, or maybe you didn’t receive any leave at all. Regardless, you can simply let a potential employer know that you took a parental leave and you’re ready to start working again.

2. Layoff or Termination

If you’ve been laid off or terminated from your job, carefully and succinctly explain the associated circumstances. Be careful not to blame your former company or show any anger. 

3. Pandemic

The pandemic has had disastrous effects on the job market, with a shocking 14.7% unemployment rate in April 2020—the highest ever seen in the United States since data collection began in 1948. Thankfully, unemployment has been steadily falling since then, but millions of people have been impacted by layoffs, furloughs , and reduced hours in the ensuing months.

The good news is that hiring managers are well aware of how the pandemic has affected workers and will likely understand any associated employment gaps. Even so, it’s important to address the situation in your resume and cover letter by making it clear that your layoff or furlough was pandemic-related and not due to performance issues.

4. Medical Reasons

Sometimes a gap in employment occurs from a medical issue or an illness. While you don’t need to go into great detail, you can simply say that you had to take some time off for health and wellbeing , but you’re now ready to tackle a new role.

Similar to the point above, if you’ve taken time away to care for a family member , you can briefly explain the situation and reassure them of your interest in the job.

6. Stay-at-Home Parent

Staying home to raise children is a common reason for an employment gap for both moms and dads.

“When returning to work after spending some time at home with your child or children, you can briefly address the gap with a sentence in your cover letter, stating that you stepped out of work to spend some time with family and are energized to return to your field,” says Frana. “On your resume, you could add a sentence like this to your profile summary or place it in your work history where the gap actually took place.”

Moving on From Employment Gaps

No matter what types of gaps in your resume you may be dealing with, there’s a flexible job out there that is the perfect fit for the next step on your career path.

Need to create a resume? Build one in minutes with this simple resume builder . And  take a tour of FlexJobs to learn more about the benefits of membership, from exclusive access to our learning library and extensive jobs database to skills tests and more.

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6 Ways to Address an Employment Gap on Your Resume

A seamless employment history is often considered the holy grail of a great resume. But, it is not uncommon to encounter employment gaps on resumes today. Regardless of the reason, these gaps create a sense of uncertainty for job seekers.

The good news is that addressing an employment gap in your resume doesn't have to be a roadblock to your career aspirations. In this article, we will explore effective ways to help you confidently navigate and overcome this hurdle.

1. Acknowledge the Gap With a Brief Explanation

One of the first steps in addressing an employment gap is to acknowledge it openly and honestly. Instead of leaving potential employers guessing about the gap, take the proactive approach of addressing it.

Employment gaps are generally categorized into two types: long-term and short-term. According to Statista , long-term unemployment counts for six months or more.

Long-term work gaps need more detailed explanations. For example, if you took a break to care for a family member, pursue education, or for any other reason. Ensure to explain why you took the time off and what you gained from the experience.

For short-term gaps, you can focus on the reason for the gap without going into excessive detail. For example, if you took time off to care for a family member, you can state, "Career break to provide caregiving support to a family member."

While explaining the gap, shift the focus to positive outcomes or experiences gained during that time. For instance, if you volunteered for community work, discuss how it shaped your character and work ethic.

2. Use a Different Resume Format

While the traditional chronological format works well for many job seekers, it may not be the best choice if you have an employment gap. Exploring other resume formats allows you to highlight your qualifications and shift the focus away from the gap.

One alternative format that you might consider is a functional resume. In functional format, your resume focuses on skills and areas of expertise instead of your work experience. You can find some free templates for functional resumes on Resume Genius and Resume.io .

Another option you can try is a hybrid resume. One of the advantages of making a hybrid resume is you can minimize your career gaps. As the name suggests, this format combines elements of both the chronological and functional formats. It can particularly work well as it allows you to draw attention to your relevant experience while demonstrating your skill set.

Further, thinking outside the box and opting for a unique format can showcase your creativity and innovative thinking. You can explore the best alternative resume formats to showcase your resume in creative ways.

3. Highlight Relevant Training or Education

If you pursued any training or education during your employment gap, highlight it on your resume. It helps showcase your commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.

Create a dedicated section on your resume highlighting relevant training and education. Mention the courses, workshops, certifications, or seminars you have completed and related to the job you are applying for.

Simply listing the courses you attended isn't enough. Take it further by describing the expertise you acquired through these educational experiences. For example, if you took a coding bootcamp during your employment gap, mention the programming languages you learned and any projects you worked on.

You can also consider a visual format that helps employers quickly grasp your qualifications. Consider creating a skills matrix or visual representation of your training and education. Use a chart or graphical format to showcase the different areas of expertise you have developed through your training.

4. Emphasize Transferable Skills

Even without formal employment, you probably must have gained valuable transferable skills from other activities or experiences. Transferable skills include project management, communication, leadership, problem-solving, and adaptability.

Demonstrating transferable skills on your resume can be relevant to potential employers. They are often interested in candidates who can bring a diverse set of skills to the table. Showcase these skills and their applicability to the position you are applying for.

Group your transferable skills into clusters to demonstrate your skills in various areas. Create subsections in your resume dedicated to specific skill sets. It could be leadership, project management, problem-solving, or any other skill. Under each cluster, list relevant examples that show how you've utilized those skills in different areas.

5. Leverage Personal Projects

Next, did you engage in any personal projects during your employment gap? Maybe you started a blog, created an online portfolio, or developed an app. Your independent endeavors can show employers what you're capable of.

You may want to include any noteworthy personal projects on your resume. When listing your personal projects on your resume, emphasize the skills you gained or used. For example, if you designed and developed a website, highlight your web design and development skills. You can also include your ability to manage a project, problem-solving, and communicate effectively.

Whenever possible, quantify the impact or results of your personal projects. Did your project gain a significant number of followers, receive positive feedback, or generate revenue? Did it solve a specific problem or address a need in the community? It helps employers understand the significance of your projects and the outcomes you achieved.

6. Elaborate on the Gap in Your Cover Letter

Your resume provides a concise overview of your qualifications. However, your cover letter can help you elaborate on your employment gap in a more personal and nuanced manner.

Explain why you took a break from work, why you want to work again, and what you've done to stay up-to-date. If you have not crafted a cover letter before and need a little help, here's how to write a cover letter .

After elaborating on the gap, bring the conversation back to the position you're applying for. Connect the skills or experiences you gained during the gap to the job requirements, demonstrating how you can make a positive impact.

Overcome the Employment Gap and Land Your Dream Job

Addressing an employment gap can certainly feel intimidating. However, ignoring it won't benefit your job search in the long run. Using the above-mentioned strategies, you can effectively address and minimize the impact of the gap. By presenting yourself as a qualified candidate, you can increase your chances of getting the job you want.

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How to Address a Resume Gap When Switching Careers

• Rebecca Knight

The do’s and don’ts of navigating a career transition that’s taking longer than you hoped.

The prospect of a new career can hold a sense of excitement. But what should you do if your job search has become a disheartening slog and the gap on your resume just seems to be growing wider by the day? What can you do to protect your mental health and rekindle your optimism for the future? In this article, the author offers practical advice  to help you navigate your career switch when you’re worried about a widening gap on your resume. 

You likely felt a surge of excitement when you made the decision to switch careers . But what should you do if your job hunt starts to become a tedious and disheartening slog — and the  gap on your resume is growing wider by the day? How can you address your extended absence from the workforce without making excuses? And how can you stay motivated and resolved in the face of setbacks?

• RK Rebecca Knight is a journalist who writes about all things related to the changing nature of careers and the workplace. Her essays and reported stories have been featured in The Boston Globe, Business Insider, The New York Times, BBC, and The Christian Science Monitor. She was shortlisted as a Reuters Institute Fellow at Oxford University in 2023. Earlier in her career, she spent a decade as an editor and reporter at the Financial Times in New York, London, and Boston.

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Hiring managers are bored of seeing these résumé clichés. Here's how you can avoid them.

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• Job applicants can undersell themselves with tired tropes in their résumé.
• It's better to view it as a marketing tool, said career coach Jenny Foss.
• She said the mistakes she sees include using jargon and listing every job they've had.

Your résumé and cover letter are a hiring manager's first impression of whether your skills and experience match the job you want.

Jenny Foss, a career consultant and author of " What to Do (and NOT Do) in 75+ Difficult Workplace Situations ," said too many candidates fall into cliché that bore recruiters and undersell applicants.

She listed three mistakes to avoid.

1) Listing only your duties and responsibilities

Foss finds the majority of her clients undersell themselves to potential employers because they focus on writing the duties and responsibilities they've held in a role without highlighting the impact they've had or the outcome they've delivered.

"A lot of people tend to assume or fear that, if they don't have obvious quantitative results, then they can't share it because there are no numbers to highlight," Foss said, adding that qualitative results count just as much.

For example, you could highlight how you've transformed a team as a leader, she said.

To highlight your impact, Foss recommended going through each bullet point of your résumé and asking: "So what? Why am I sharing this?"

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If you've said that you manage Fortune 500 companies, for example, she said, ask yourself: "What's the significance of that? What's the outcome?"

You should show the business significance of what you have done in a role and why it matters to the job you're applying for, she said.

2) Jargon and buzzwords

There are certain cliches you see over and over again in résumé, Foss said.

She said candidates should avoid using the terms "detail-oriented," "track record of," and "responsible for" without qualifying them.

"If you're detail-oriented, show me an example in your experience section where your meticulous organizational skills came into play and worked out well," Foss said.

It's best to avoid company-specific jargon and acronyms, too, she said.

3) Including every job you've ever had

Foss said that just because you've done something doesn't mean you need to include it.

You don't have to include a bad job you left after a few months, she said. Or if you're worried that a hiring manager will think you're old if your career goes back too far, you can leave your first job out.

"This is not your autobiography. It is a marketing tool," she said, adding the aim is to give the hiring manager enough information to invite you for an interview .

It's also fine to include a career break in your résumé, whether it was for a sabbatical, childcare, or travel, Foss said. People tend to over-explain them or become apologetic, but there's nothing wrong with stating "career break" or "professionally active career break," she said.

Be unapologetic about it, she said, and move on to focus on your qualifications for the role.

Watch: Marketing leaders from Amazon, LinkedIn, Lego Group and more tell Insider what pandemic-fueled business changes are likely to stick around

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Health Care Resume Skills: What to Include (+ Examples)

Find out which skills are important to include on your health care resume. Discover how and where to write health care resume skills and tips for developing your skills.

Listing critical health care skills on your resume can help distinguish you from your competition when applying for a health-related job. Employers can understand the tangible ways you've learned your skills through your education, work experience, and a list of skills on your resume (that they can follow up on during interviews).

What skills should you include on your resume to stand out? Find out how and where to include them, and use our helpful examples. We'll also share some tips on how you can further develop your skills to enhance your health care career.

What is a health care resume? 

A health care resume is a type of resume specific to professions in the health care field. Health care professions hold particular skills, education, experiences, and training that are different from occupations outside of health care.

Because most positions in the health care field require specific formal training, expect to include a separate section that lists skills specific to the position for which you’re applying. A health care resume may have an area that lists fellowships or clinical experiences that some medical professionals require. These elements are unique to health care and offer employers insight into your skills as a medical professional and how you have relied on these skills to advance your career.  

Jobs that require a health care resume 

If you’re applying for a position within the medical field, you will likely need to structure your resume to effectively highlight critical health care skills. The health care field is broad, with varying job titles and responsibilities. Here are a few of those fields: 

Allied health: Allied health is a field of health care focused on the delivery of health care, rather than clinical care. This includes supporting and diagnostic roles and specific skills will vary by job title. Technical skills for these positions usually require completing certificate programs or other training specific to the role.

Example jobs: Dental hygienists , medical transcriptionists , occupational therapists , sonographers , radiographers , medical assistants , pharmacy techs , home health aides , physical therapists , EMTs , speech-language pathologists  

Administration and management: Administration and management professionals in health care are typically planning, coordinating, and managing a medical facility. Some may specialize in a particular type, such as financial management or ambulatory services. Some managerial positions require leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving, while technical skills will vary depending on the facility, legal parameters, and more.

Example jobs: Administrative assistant, medical staff coordinator, community health director , health care administrator , quality assurance coordinator

Medical providers and nurses: Medical providers undergo extensive training. From a bachelor’s degree to residency, the average duration to become a medical provider is eleven years. During this time, doctors learn technical skills specific to their specialty but also critical personal skills and licenses necessary to the medical profession. 

Example jobs: Primary care physicians, dentists, anesthesiologists , nurses , home health aide , personal care aide

Read more: Is Health Care a Good Career Path? Outlook, Jobs, and More

Key skills to list on a health care resume

Health care is a vast field with many different facets. You can work in health care in many ways, from a supporting position as a medical billing specialist to a patient care provider as a nurse. The skills you’ll need to succeed in health care depend on your career track in the field of health care. 

Technical skills 

Health care professionals who work directly with patients in clinical roles will need different technical skills than professionals who work on the non-clinical side of health care; however, you’ll find overlap in the knowledge of HIPPA laws and basic medical terminology. 

 Clinical (direct patient care; providers, allied health) 

First aid/CPR 

Adhere to HIPAA

Check and monitor vital signs 

Assess a patient’s symptoms 

Diagnose conditions and provide appropriate treatment 

Administer medical treatments 

Interpret lab results 

Develop treatment plans as needed 

Advise patients on treatment options 

Non-clinical positions (supporting health care roles; administration, clerical)

Office skills 

Insurance billing 

Medical codes and terminology 

HIPAA compliance 

Scheduling software 

EMR software 

Data entry 

Record patient history

Personal skills 

Most health care professionals understand the importance of compassion and empathy when supporting or treating patients. 

Good bedside manner

Compassion and empathy 

Good communication 

Listening skills 

Problem-solving 

Critical thinking 

Non-clinical positions (supporting roles in health care; administration, clerical)

Detail oriented

Ability to multitask 

Works well as a team 

Good communicator 

Detail oriented 

Attention to detail 

How to include health care skills on your resume 

Your skills as a health care professional should be immediately evident on your resume and demonstrated in each work experience description. It should be clear to employers how you developed those skills over time with real-world examples.

1. Include skills relevant to the position. 

Employers should be able to quickly assess if your skills fit the job description or not. Tailor your skills to the job description by including specific skills referenced in the job description. This will also improve your chances of applicant tracking software (ATS) picking up your resume. Optimize your resume with these keywords and include only skills relevant to the job posting.

Take advantage of the cover letter 

Cover letters offer an excellent opportunity to explain precisely how your skills would benefit an employer more in-depth. Use the cover letter as your introduction, further unpacking the skills you hold and how you plan to rely on these skills.

How will your qualifications and skills as a health care professional add value to the employer?

Highlight professional experiences or point to achievements or accolades that illustrate how you’ve developed skills and gained professional success due to this skill set.  Be sure to connect your skills to a specific position or job title. 

2. Mention skills in your professional summary.  

Highlight critical skills right away in your resume summary. Use these two to three sentences to give employers insight into your qualifications for a position by highlighting key skills and credentials that make you a suitable applicant. Using adjectives to describe yourself is a great way to pull in your skills concisely. For example, you could begin with “Organized care coordinator with five years experience in….” 

3. Weave skills throughout your resume.

Your health care resume should have a section devoted to your skills as a professional in health care with brief examples. It’s also vital to integrate skills throughout your resume. For example, if you list in the skills section that you are flexible and adaptable, describe in your work history section how you used these skills successfully.

4. Be specific. 

Avoid vague and ambiguous adjectives that are hard to quantify when listing your skills. Instead of listing “good communicator” as a skill, think of a creative way to be more descriptive. Try, “skilled in patient-provider interactions" instead. Tying real-world experiences and examples to the skills highlighted on your health care resume is always helpful.

5. Choose the best format based on your qualifications.

You can format your health care resume in a few different ways. The format you choose depends on your level of experience and education. You can choose the functional format, ideal for entry-level positions; the chronological format, best for management or supervisory positions; and the combination format for mid-level positions. 

With functional formatting , you’re focusing on skills over work history. List skills summary first, just after your resume summary. The skills summary section notes how you have demonstrated proficiency in specific skills through various experiences beyond work history.

The chronological format lists your work history from most recent to least recent. This format is ideal for those with a lot of professional experience. It’s also the preferred formatting for most health care resumes. With this format, you will still have a separate list of your skills, education, and summary.

A combination format gives equal weight to work history and skills. As with the functional resume, have your skills section at the top of the page, just after the summary. List your work experience after the skills section or toward the bottom of the page. These resumes are ideal for health care professionals seeking a mid-level job title.

6. Use a professional layout. 

The layout is as important as the formatting. When creating a health care resume, choose a professional format. Enhance the readability by using headers, bullet points, and bold text where appropriate. As a general rule, lay out your health care resume with: 

12 point font

10-inch margins

Ample use of white space

Headers for each section 

Four to five bullet points per job title 

One page limit (two pages may be appropriate for 10+ years of experience)

Example of a health care resume

Health care resumes typically include a title, personal information, a resume summary, a skills summary, experience, education, and certifications section. You may also have additional sections such as accomplishments, accolades, awards, and publications. Here is a sample template of what to include on a health care resume:

Headline (name and professional title if you already have one) 

Contact information (phone, email, LinkedIn) 

Resume summary (two to three-sentence explanation of your career goals and objectives)

Education (university name and degree awarded in reverse-chronological order; also include residencies or fellowships, if applicable) 

Work experience (organization, job title, responsibilities, skills used, accolades, and so on listed in reverse-chronological order)

Skills ( list of both technical and workplace skills, with brief examples of how you have applied these skills)

You may change the order of these sections based on the format you choose and omit or add to these elements depending on your level of education and experience. 

Consider this example of a health care resume for a patient care coordinator position with five years of experience in her role: 

Jane E. Doe

Patient Care Coordinator 

Personal information 

Phone: 123-456-7890

Email [email protected]

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/janeedoe 

Dedicated patient care coordinator with five years of experience managing patient care, implementing and monitoring treatment plans, and evaluating patient progress. Assisted in the grant writing process to secure funding for Acme Medical Center through the Health Care Coordinators and Navigation Grant. CCCTM certified with a degree in Health Care Administration. Looking to improve patient outcomes by providing support and quality care to patients at ABC Hospital. 

Skills Summary 

Coordinate patient-care services to offer quality care 

Work as a team member to evaluate possible patient interventions

Give compassionate patient care for improved patient outcomes 

Communicate plan of care to family and caregivers of patients 

Accurately record patient history and documentation per HIPAA compliance 

Work History 

Patient Care Coordinator, ABC Medical Center. July 1 to present 

Develop patient treatment plans based on provider’s notes 

Manage patient care coordinators within the medical center 

Advise caregivers of patient progress 

Communicate patient outcomes to medical providers 

Assist other patient care coordinators in the development of treatment plans 

Patient Services Coordinator, Maple Street Hospital, January 2018 to July 2021

Advised patients on viable treatment plan options 

Communicated patient concerns and feedback to medical providers 

Explained treatment options to patients 

Evaluated results of treatment plans and communicated outcomes 

University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 2010-2014

Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration 

Relevant coursework: principles of health care administration, health care marketing, health care human resources, and legal and ethical environment in health care 

Tips for developing key health care skills 

Need to build your skill set as a health care professional? You can find many ways to learn new skills or build upon existing skills in demand for the position you seek. Research the top skills for the job you’re applying for, and choose the best way to gain experience in those skills. Enroll in an online course, earn a certification, or apply for entry-level positions or volunteer opportunities. Developing your skill set can also help you meet your future career goals. 

Courses like Career 911: Your Future Job in Medicine and Health Care offered by Northwestern University can help you learn critical skills to succeed in health care. You can list courses on your resume to demonstrate your breadth of abilities to employers.

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What Researchers Discovered When They Sent 80,000 Fake Résumés to U.S. Jobs

Some companies discriminated against Black applicants much more than others, and H.R. practices made a big difference.

By Claire Cain Miller and Josh Katz

A group of economists recently performed an experiment on around 100 of the largest companies in the country, applying for jobs using made-up résumés with equivalent qualifications but different personal characteristics. They changed applicants’ names to suggest that they were white or Black, and male or female — Latisha or Amy, Lamar or Adam.

On Monday, they released the names of the companies . On average, they found, employers contacted the presumed white applicants 9.5 percent more often than the presumed Black applicants.

Yet this practice varied significantly by firm and industry. One-fifth of the companies — many of them retailers or car dealers — were responsible for nearly half of the gap in callbacks to white and Black applicants.

Two companies favored white applicants over Black applicants significantly more than others. They were AutoNation, a used car retailer, which contacted presumed white applicants 43 percent more often, and Genuine Parts Company, which sells auto parts including under the NAPA brand, and called presumed white candidates 33 percent more often.

In a statement, Heather Ross, a spokeswoman for Genuine Parts, said, “We are always evaluating our practices to ensure inclusivity and break down barriers, and we will continue to do so.” AutoNation did not respond to a request for comment.

Companies With the Largest and Smallest Racial Contact Gaps

Of the 97 companies in the experiment, two stood out as contacting presumed white job applicants significantly more often than presumed Black ones. At 14 companies, there was little or no difference in how often they called back the presumed white or Black applicants.

Source: Patrick Kline, Evan K. Rose and Christopher R. Walters

Known as an audit study , the experiment was the largest of its kind in the United States: The researchers sent 80,000 résumés to 10,000 jobs from 2019 to 2021. The results demonstrate how entrenched employment discrimination is in parts of the U.S. labor market — and the extent to which Black workers start behind in certain industries.

“I am not in the least bit surprised,” said Daiquiri Steele, an assistant professor at the University of Alabama School of Law who previously worked for the Department of Labor on employment discrimination. “If you’re having trouble breaking in, the biggest issue is the ripple effect it has. It affects your wages and the economy of your community going forward.”

Some companies showed no difference in how they treated applications from people assumed to be white or Black. Their human resources practices — and one policy in particular (more on that later) — offer guidance for how companies can avoid biased decisions in the hiring process.

A lack of racial bias was more common in certain industries: food stores, including Kroger; food products, including Mondelez; freight and transport, including FedEx and Ryder; and wholesale, including Sysco and McLane Company.

“We want to bring people’s attention not only to the fact that racism is real, sexism is real, some are discriminating, but also that it’s possible to do better, and there’s something to be learned from those that have been doing a good job,” said Patrick Kline, an economist at the University of California, Berkeley, who conducted the study with Evan K. Rose at the University of Chicago and Christopher R. Walters at Berkeley.

The researchers first published details of their experiment in 2021, but without naming the companies. The new paper, which is set to run in the American Economic Review, names the companies and explains the methodology developed to group them by their performance, while accounting for statistical noise.

Sample Résumés From the Experiment

Fictitious résumés sent to large U.S. companies revealed a preference, on average, for candidates whose names suggested that they were white.

To assign names, the researchers started with a prior list that had been assembled using Massachusetts birth certificates from 1974 to 1979. They then supplemented this list with names found in a database of speeding tickets issued in North Carolina between 2006 and 2018, classifying a name as “distinctive” if more than 90 percent of people with that name were of a particular race.

The study includes 97 firms. The jobs the researchers applied to were entry level, not requiring a college degree or substantial work experience. In addition to race and gender, the researchers tested other characteristics protected by law , like age and sexual orientation.

They sent up to 1,000 applications to each company, applying for as many as 125 jobs per company in locations nationwide, to try to uncover patterns in companies’ operations versus isolated instances. Then they tracked whether the employer contacted the applicant within 30 days.

A bias against Black names

Companies requiring lots of interaction with customers, like sales and retail, particularly in the auto sector, were most likely to show a preference for applicants presumed to be white. This was true even when applying for positions at those firms that didn’t involve customer interaction, suggesting that discriminatory practices were baked in to corporate culture or H.R. practices, the researchers said.

Still, there were exceptions — some of the companies exhibiting the least bias were retailers, like Lowe’s and Target.

The study may underestimate the rate of discrimination against Black applicants in the labor market as a whole because it tested large companies, which tend to discriminate less, said Lincoln Quillian, a sociologist at Northwestern who analyzes audit studies. It did not include names intended to represent Latino or Asian American applicants, but other research suggests that they are also contacted less than white applicants, though they face less discrimination than Black applicants.

The experiment ended in 2021, and some of the companies involved might have changed their practices since. Still, a review of all available audit studies found that discrimination against Black applicants had not changed in three decades. After the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, such discrimination was found to have disappeared among certain employers, but the researchers behind that study said the effect was most likely short-lived.

Gender, age and L.G.B.T.Q. status

On average, companies did not treat male and female applicants differently. This aligns with other research showing that gender discrimination against women is rare in entry-level jobs, and starts later in careers.

However, when companies did favor men (especially in manufacturing) or women (mostly at apparel stores), the biases were much larger than for race. Builders FirstSource contacted presumed male applicants more than twice as often as female ones. Ascena, which owns brands like Ann Taylor, contacted women 66 percent more than men.

Neither company responded to requests for comment.

The consequences of being female differed by race. The differences were small, but being female was a slight benefit for white applicants, and a slight penalty for Black applicants.

The researchers also tested several other characteristics protected by law, with a smaller number of résumés. They found there was a small penalty for being over 40.

Overall, they found no penalty for using nonbinary pronouns. Being gay, as indicated by including membership in an L.G.B.T.Q. club on the résumé, resulted in a slight penalty for white applicants, but benefited Black applicants — although the effect was small, when this was on their résumés, the racial penalty disappeared.

Under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, discrimination is illegal even if it’s unintentional . Yet in the real world, it is difficult for job applicants to know why they did not hear back from a company.

“These practices are particularly challenging to address because applicants often do not know whether they are being discriminated against in the hiring process,” Brandalyn Bickner, a spokeswoman for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, said in a statement. (It has seen the data and spoken with the researchers, though it could not use an academic study as the basis for an investigation, she said.)

What companies can do to reduce discrimination

Several common measures — like employing a chief diversity officer, offering diversity training or having a diverse board — were not correlated with decreased discrimination in entry-level hiring, the researchers found.

But one thing strongly predicted less discrimination: a centralized H.R. operation.

The researchers recorded the voice mail messages that the fake applicants received. When a company’s calls came from fewer individual phone numbers, suggesting that they were originating from a central office, there tended to be less bias . When they came from individual hiring managers at local stores or warehouses, there was more. These messages often sounded frantic and informal, asking if an applicant could start the next day, for example.

“That’s when implicit biases kick in,” Professor Kline said. A more formalized hiring process helps overcome this, he said: “Just thinking about things, which steps to take, having to run something by someone for approval, can be quite important in mitigating bias.”

At Sysco, a wholesale restaurant food distributor, which showed no racial bias in the study, a centralized recruitment team reviews résumés and decides whom to call. “Consistency in how we review candidates, with a focus on the requirements of the position, is key,” said Ron Phillips, Sysco’s chief human resources officer. “It lessens the opportunity for personal viewpoints to rise in the process.”

Another important factor is diversity among the people hiring, said Paula Hubbard, the chief human resources officer at McLane Company. It procures, stores and delivers products for large chains like Walmart, and showed no racial bias in the study. Around 40 percent of the company’s recruiters are people of color, and 60 percent are women.

Diversifying the pool of people who apply also helps, H.R. officials said. McLane goes to events for women in trucking and puts up billboards in Spanish.

So does hiring based on skills, versus degrees . While McLane used to require a college degree for many roles, it changed that practice after determining that specific skills mattered more for warehousing or driving jobs. “We now do that for all our jobs: Is there truly a degree required?” Ms. Hubbard said. “Why? Does it make sense? Is experience enough?”

Hilton, another company that showed no racial bias in the study, also stopped requiring degrees for many jobs, in 2018.

Another factor associated with less bias in hiring, the new study found, was more regulatory scrutiny — like at federal contractors, or companies with more Labor Department citations.

Finally, more profitable companies were less biased, in line with a long-held economics theory by the Nobel Prize winner Gary Becker that discrimination is bad for business. Economists said that could be because the more profitable companies benefit from a more diverse set of employees. Or it could be an indication that they had more efficient business processes, in H.R. and elsewhere.

Claire Cain Miller writes about gender, families and the future of work for The Upshot. She joined The Times in 2008 and was part of a team that won a Pulitzer Prize in 2018 for public service for reporting on workplace sexual harassment issues. More about Claire Cain Miller

Josh Katz is a graphics editor for The Upshot, where he covers a range of topics involving politics, policy and culture. He is the author of “Speaking American: How Y’all, Youse, and You Guys Talk,” a visual exploration of American regional dialects. More about Josh Katz

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Pandemic School Closures: ​A variety of data about children’s academic outcomes and about the spread of Covid-19 has accumulated since the start of the pandemic. Here is what we learned from it .

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