How to explain an employment gap on your resume

How to explain an employment gap on your resume

A phase of unemployment is not pleasant for any employee, but it is no longer uncommon today. Given the hiring and termination policies of many companies, a few weeks or months without a job cannot always be avoided and are not necessarily seen as a problem by employers. Of course, this only applies if you present unemployment accordingly on your professional resume – and in your entire application. If correctly formulated and incorporated, the period of unemployment is then of little consequence.

Unemployment: accept the situation

Before you start looking for a job or even start a specific application, you should deal with your unemployment and accept it. That may sound strange, but many workers cannot cope with unemployment and reject it. Although this rejection does not change the situation, it is clearly and visibly expressed in the application.

Unemployment is then literally highlighted in the resume and cover letter, extensive attempts at explanation are made, and this topic dominates the entire application. Applicants then have the feeling that potential employers are only aware of their unemployment and are overlooking their other qualifications. Unfortunately, through the exaggerated presentation described, they usually ensure that this assumption also applies.

As uncomfortable as unemployment may be, you can only change something about the situation if you make your peace with it and concentrate fully on looking for a job without getting in the way of the application.

Unemployment on the resume: Be active in your formulation

In this case, one of the best-known formulations – at least for your job resume – is also the best: looking for a job. Of course, you can see this formulation as linguistic subtlety and reject it as meaningless. Experience shows, however, that “looking for a job” is a much more active formulation than “unemployed.” However, the wording alone is not enough to make your resume and application positive.

To correctly classify your unemployment in your resume, you should make it clear that:

  • You are actively looking for a new job.
  • You keep your expertise up to date.
  • You want to work and do a lot for it on your own.

In other words: If you show activity and personal commitment, “looking for work” is not just an empty phrase but a suitable formulation for your activities. If that is the case, the wording also makes sense and increases your chances of getting a new job. The important thing is to make the applicant’s activity and personal commitment clear.

Put unemployment in perspective.

Our simple resume template also shows that a period of unemployment can easily be classified in the resume – if you can develop appropriate training courses and activities. For example, it makes sense to take up part-time employment as long as it is related to the occupation you have learned and want to return to.

It will help if you show your future employer that you.

  • Have up-to-date specialist knowledge.
  • The workday is still.
  • Are productive and willing to work.
  • To know about your job and it dominates.

Of course, the reason for unemployment can still come up in the job interview, and you should even expect that. But firstly, you have already taken the hurdle to the conversation, and secondly, you can usually explain the reasons for it without any problems.

You can also explain the reasons in the cover letter, but you should do so with caution. Too much explanation quickly sounds like justification and is usually of no interest for a written application if your last employer’s reference has failed. Just build in your unemployment like a typical station in your career and concentrate on showcasing your strengths and skills. Then nothing stands in the way of your new job.

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How to explain an employment gap on your resume
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How to explain an employment gap on your resume
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Unemployment is not only a burden, it can also act as a brake on a new application. We show you how to include unemployment in your resume.
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creativeresume.net
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