Gaps in a resume are the biggest issue that most jobseekers face. While it can spell “red flag” for an employer, professional resume writers have an arsenal of tips for managing employment gaps.
1) Use years only and skip the months. While I normally advise to use months and years so a recruiter isn’t guessing about the actual time you spent with a given employer, if it works to your advantage to exclude the months definitely do so! It certainly will leave you exposed to recruiters and hiring managers questioning the actual timespan, but if the resume is targeted and accomplishment-driven, you’ll get your foot in the door for at least an initial phone screen. Brush up on your elevator pitch and your phone skills to land the interview.
2) Group consulting, contract or per-diem positions under a heading. Instead of using the traditional presentation – Company Name, City/State, Date and Job Title for each position – group under a similar job title or something like “Communications Consultant”. This can be a tricky area so be honest and forthright, but if you have two years as a 1099 Systems Admin, you can list the companies together, start with the job title, or even use the Contract Employment agency as the main header.
3) Downplay the dates. Putting dates flush right does definitely call attention. Try placing dates next to the Company Name and align the city and state against the right margin. This works to call attention to your position and company name, and can even work to your advantage if you want to highlight the fact that you’ve worked in multiple regions or have extensive experience in one particular area.
4) Volunteer or start your own business. It’s a tough job market, so sometimes there is no way of getting around an employment gap. Take the time to get involved in a worthwhile cause or pursue your passion. It might lead to something, like a full-time position or a great contact, but it also might not. What it will do is keep you in a positive head space and give you something to put on your resume. Use the same principles for listing this time of your life and focus on value-added accomplishments.