Employment gaps on a resume can be a concern for job seekers and employers alike. Whether the gap was due to personal reasons, layoffs, or taking time to upskill, knowing how to address it can make all the difference in landing an interview.
The good news?
Employment gaps are more common than ever, and if handled well, they don’t have to negatively impact your chances. This article will guide you through practical steps to handle employment gaps on a resume so that they don’t overshadow your qualifications and experience.
Before jumping into the specifics, let's first take a quick look at the main points of this article.
Key takeaways
- Employment gaps are increasingly common and less stigmatized.
- Being upfront about breaks in employment fosters trust with employers.
- Address gaps to control the narrative and minimize negative assumptions.
- Turn a career break into strengths by highlighting skills gained during time off.
- Functional resumes can help downplay time off and emphasize skills.
- Gaps don’t define your qualifications—your skills do.
Now, let’s break down what work pauses are and why they’ve affected today's job market.
What are employment gaps and why do they matter?
Employment gaps refer to periods when a person isn’t engaged in paid work. These breaks can happen for various reasons, such as pursuing education, taking care of family, personal health issues, or layoffs.
They matter because they may raise questions for potential employers about a candidate's skills, commitment, and readiness for the role. However, as the workplace evolves, these pauses are becoming more acceptable, especially when explained well.
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Why should you address employment gaps in your resume?
Employers look at employment breaks as potential red flags because they may wonder if you’ve lost skills, had trouble staying committed, or experienced difficulty getting rehired. While these concerns are valid from a hiring perspective, it’s crucial to address them professionally.
By presenting a clear and positive narrative around your employment gap, you can ease these worries and show that the time away doesn’t diminish your value as a candidate.
Addressing breaks in your work history on your resume is crucial for several reasons:
- Shows transparency: Employers appreciate honesty and will be less likely to view gaps negatively if explained clearly.
- Underlines growth: Use the opportunity to explain how the break was used productively, whether for skill development, education, or personal growth.
- Minimizes assumptions: If left unexplained, employers might speculate negatively. By addressing the situation directly, you control the narrative and show confidence in your career history.
A thoughtful explanation can help turn time off into assets.
How to turn gaps into strengths
With the right approach, you can turn these periods of absence into opportunities to show your resilience, adaptability, and commitment to personal growth.
Turning sabbatical into a strength requires a strategic approach:
Four tips to turn employment breaks into advantages
- Underscore transferable skills: If you gained skills during your gap that are relevant to the job (e.g., project management through volunteer work, online course certifications), be sure to highlight those.
- Emphasize soft skills and personal development: Not all skills are learned in the workplace, and some of the most valuable qualities an employee can have—resilience, adaptability, problem-solving—are often developed during challenging times, such as during an employment gap.
- Re-entering the workforce with renewed energy: Let your reignited passion for your field come through in your application. If you're jumping back to the workforce with renewed energy and perspective, do show that in your resume.
- Volunteering and community involvement: Volunteer work can be just as valuable as paid employment, so highlight any leadership roles, project management experience, or other relevant skills you gained through your volunteer efforts.
Next, we’ll focus on how you can explain gaps on your resume in a way that positions you as a strong candidate.
How to explain your resume gap
It's natural to feel uneasy about work pauses, but there's no need to fear them. Employers understand that life events—whether personal or professional—can lead to time away from work. What matters most is how you present these gaps on your resume.
Now, let’s explore specific ways to do this:
- Be transparent and straightforward: Be honest in your work history section. Trying to hide gaps or stretching the truth can backfire during the interview process if you’re asked for more details. Employers value transparency, and being upfront demonstrates integrity.
- Provide a brief explanation: A short, clear explanation like "Took time off for family caregiving" is sufficient. It provides context without drawing too much attention.
- Focus on growth: Show how you used the time for personal or professional growth, such as taking courses, earning certifications, freelancing, or volunteering.
- Use years instead of months: To downplay short gaps, list only the years of employment. For example, "2018 – 2019" instead of specific months.
- Include freelance or contract work: If you freelanced or took on contract work during sabbatical, include it in your resume. Freelancing demonstrates initiative, self-discipline, and the ability to manage clients. List your freelance projects like any other job, detailing the responsibilities and achievements of each role.
- Add certifications or courses completed: If you earn new certifications or completed courses, list them on your resume. It proves you stayed productive and continued improving your skills.
A career break can be the opportunity to rewrite your future.
Arianna Huffington
Common reasons for an employment gap
Employment gaps are a normal part of many career paths, and employers are often understanding as long as you provide a proper explanation.
Here are some common reasons for career breaks, along with detailed examples you can use in your resume, cover letter, or during an interview, depending on the situation.
Health issues (injury, illness, or medical recovery)
Health problems can affect anyone, and taking time off to recover from an illness, injury, or surgery, even when you haven’t been able to work in years, is a legitimate reason for an employment pause. Employers generally understand that health comes first.
I took time off to recover from a medical procedure and focus on my health. I am now fully recovered and excited to re-engage with my career.
Family responsibilities (caregiving, maternity/paternity leave)
Many people take a break from work to care for children, elderly parents, or other family members in need. This could include raising a newborn, assisting with a child’s early development, or providing long-term care for a family member. Taking on the role of a caregiver is a significant responsibility, and employers recognize this as a valid reason for time away.
I took a two-year break to care for my aging parents and manage their medical needs. This experience helped me develop strong organizational and multitasking skills, and I’m now fully prepared to return to work.
Career transition (switching industries or fields)
Shifting career paths often involves taking time off to gain the necessary skills or certifications for a new industry. Whether you transitioned from one field to another or sought out more meaningful work, this can be positioned as a positive step toward career growth. Use this to explain how you prepared for the change, such as by taking courses, obtaining certifications, or engaging in industry research.
I took time off to transition from a marketing role to a career in data analysis, completing relevant certifications and freelancing on small projects to build my skills.
Personal sabbatical (burnout, travel, recharging)
Recovering from burnout is a valid reason to take time off from work, whether it's for a few months or even a year. Whether you took time to travel or simply recharge after years of intense work, this break can be framed positively as a period of personal growth and self-care. Highlight the renewed energy you bring to your career.
After experiencing burnout, I took a year-long sabbatical to focus on personal well-being and rediscover my passion for work. During this time, I pursued personal projects, engaged in mindfulness practices, and developed stronger stress management skills. I’m now recharged and eager to bring fresh energy and focus to my professional career.
Job loss due to economic or business reasons
Layoffs, downsizing, or company closures are respectable reasons, especially in industries affected by economic downturns.Be transparent about it as employers are often sympathetic to those affected by layoffs and understand job loss is sometimes beyond your control. Mention any steps you took during the gap, such as networking, freelancing, or completing short-term projects.
My previous employer experienced significant downsizing due to an economic downturn, leading to my position being eliminated. During this time, I focused on expanding my
professional network and completed a course in digital marketing to sharpen my skills.
If you're worried about a long pause, here are some quick tips to help minimize its impact and present your experience positively.
How to minimize the effect of the employment gap
Remember, employment gaps don’t have to define your career. With the right approach, you can address them effectively and turn them into opportunities for growth.
Here’s how:
- Emphasize the relevant skills and experiences that make you the right fit for the role.
- Use positive language to frame the gap as a time of intentional growth, learning, or recharging.
- Engage in professional networking during that time to stay connected to industry trends.
- Gaining short-term roles shows continued involvement in the workforce.
- Steer the resume towards how your skills are suited for the job at hand.
Where to address employment gaps in your resume
When it comes to addressing work breaks in your resume, it’s all about being open while keeping the spotlight on your skills and experience. Finding the right place to mention the gap, without drawing too much attention to it, is key.
Here are a few places where you can mention employment gaps:
Work experience section
Within this segment, you can include a brief explanation.
For example:
01/2021 - 12/2022 
- •Provided full-time care for a family member, managing healthcare logistics and coordinating medical appointments.
- •Volunteered with local nonprofits, organizing community programs and fundraising campaigns.
- •Completed certifications in project management, leadership development, and IT Service Management (ITIL Foundation).
03/2012 - 12/2020 - •Developed and executed strategic marketing plans that aligned organizational goals, resulting in a 25% increase in overall efficiency.
- •Led capital campaigns, securing over $5M in major gift donations to support facility expansions and scholarship programs.
- •Mentored senior marketing staff to build a high-performance team, driving continuous improvement and employee development.
- •Collaborated with the board of directors to enhance governance, ensuring strong oversight and effective decision-making.
- •Spearheaded JEDI initiatives, ensuring they were fully integrated into organizational operations and culture.
- •Managed and optimized a $2M marketing budget, maintaining financial sustainability and long-term growth.
Summary or objective
If the time off is recent or more than a year, you may want to acknowledge it in your resume summary or objective statement. This allows you to explain the gap proactively and briefly mention any skills gained or activities undertaken during that time.
Here's an example:
Cover letter
While the resume itself should remain concise, the cover letter is the best place to go into more detail about your employment gap. You can provide context, such as why you took time off and how it benefited you, and connect it back to the job you’re applying for.
Marketing manager employment gap explanation
[Dear/Hello/Hi] [Recruiter's Name],
Over the last decade, I’ve successfully led marketing initiatives that have driven brand growth and increased engagement across various digital platforms. In my role as Marketing Manager at Keystone Science School from March 2012 to December 2020, I oversaw strategic marketing campaigns that boosted brand visibility by 25% and secured over $5M in major donations to support expansion efforts.
In January 2021, I took a two-year sabbatical to care for a family member with a serious illness. During this time, I focused on personal growth while continuing professional development, earning certifications in project management and leadership. I also volunteered with local nonprofits, organizing community programs, which helped me refine essential leadership and organizational skills—key qualities in marketing management.
I’m excited to apply for the Marketing Manager position at [Company Name]. With over 10 years of experience in driving strategic campaigns and overseeing multi-million-dollar marketing budgets, I’m confident in my ability to contribute to your team. My expertise in brand development, digital marketing, and data-driven strategies aligns well with [mention specific aspects of the company or its marketing goals].
I look forward to discussing how my experience and recent professional growth can contribute to [Company Name]'s continued success. Thank you for considering my application. I’m eager to connect and can be reached at [Your Phone Number] or [Your Email Address].
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Best resume format to present employment gaps
When it comes to addressing employment gaps on a resume, the format you choose can make a significant difference. You want to present your experience in a way that highlights your strengths while downplaying any time off in your employment history.
The best way to do this is using a functional resume format.
Functional resume format
Certainly, this is your best option because a functional resume focuses on your skills and qualifications rather than a strict timeline of your work experience. This format is ideal if you have significant employment gaps or if your experience is more skills-based than time-based.
By underscoring what you’re good at and what you’ve accomplished, you can minimize the attention drawn to the gaps in your work history.
When to use
- You have long or multiple employment gaps.
- Your recent experience isn’t as relevant to the job you’re applying for.
- You want to emphasize skills over job titles or dates.
Sample of a resume with an employment gap
Here’s a sample of a resume that addresses a break in employment. Instead of focusing on the timeline of work history, this format highlights your certifications, skills, and achievements at the top, allowing you to shift the attention away from the gap.
Let’s take a look at how this format works in practice.
PRO TIP
We suggest skipping the reverse chronological resume format since it focuses on dates and can draw attention to any career gaps. If your work history has breaks or isn’t straightforward, this format might underline those details instead of showcasing your skills and strengths.
Frequently asked questions on employment gaps on resume
Are employers more accepting of gaps post-pandemic?
Yes, many employers are more understanding of gaps, especially due to the unique challenges brought on by the pandemic.
How long of an employment gap should I worry about?
Gaps over six months are more likely to raise questions, but it's important to be prepared to address any gap, no matter the length.
How far back should I go on my resume if I’ve had gaps?
Focus on the last 10-15 years and any roles relevant to the position you’re applying for.
Should I mention a gap in the interview if it’s not brought up?
Only address it if asked. If not, focus on your qualifications and experience.
Make one that's truly you.
