Resume Gaps: Your “Bridge” to Nowhere?
If you have one or more gaps in your resume, it’s a good idea to build a bridge from one experience to the next—not with fibs or lies but with the truth.
For example, suppose you worked as an administrative assistant from 2002-2008.
But from 1999 till 2002 you were unemployed because you were ill or had a baby or took time off to help your spouse launch a business. Whatever your reason, you may wonder what to put on the resume so the gap won’t work against you.
Here’s what you can do:
List the actions you took during your ’employment break’ right along with your work experiences. This approach will actually work in your favor because it will show you as a well-rounded person who uses your time productively and in some cases unselfishly—especially if you helped a family member or volunteered for a needy cause. By speaking honestly, you also show your integrity. You’ll build a trustworthy image and assure the hiring manager you’re someone who is balanced and compassionate.
Here’s an example of some bridge builders:
1998-2001 – Real Estate Office Manager, ABC Real Estate Company,
Oakbrook, IL
2001-2005 – Stayed home to take care of aging parent. Did some free-lance
real estate work, as time permitted.
OR
1998-2001 – Executive Assistant, Liberty Manufacturing, Inc.,
Austin, TX
2001-2002 – Volunteered for Senator Paul Gladstone’s re-election campaign
and finished work on Master’s Degree in Business Management.
When it comes to your resume, bridge the work gap with the truth and watch it take you over to the other side—back into the work force.
Jimmy Sweeney is the president of CareerJimmy and author of the brand new, Amazing Resume Creator Jimmy is also the author of several career related books and writes a monthly article titled, “Job Search Secrets.”
Visit our friends at Amazing Resume Creator for your “instant” resume today. In just 10 minutes flat you can UPDATE or CREATE a resume guaranteed to land you more hot job interviews next week.