[Employment]
As record numbers of Americans retire in the coming years and the labor pool continues to tighten, many who’ve been out of the workforce temporarily may see the time as ripe to begin seeking new employment opportunities. People with gaps in their employment history need to learn how to overcome those gaps in the eyes of potential employers by gaining skills and experience outside of traditional work environments that will qualify them for jobs.
Employment gaps are periods of time missing from the job experience section of a candidate’s résumé. Reasons for these gaps can include taking time off to care for children or ill family members, pursuit of education or even retirement. The problem is, these gaps can also reflect missing years due to prison time, laziness or severe personal problems. In fact, the term “employment gap” usually has a negative connotation because employers have faced difficult situations when hiring people with unexplained absences from the workforce.
It’s important to note, however, that for a majority of people, breaks in work history don’t indicate a negative character trait or potential problem. People with gaps in their work history can make ideal employees who are ready to jump into a job experience with the gusto and enthusiasm that can revitalize a team.
Gap or opportunity?
Time off from work can offer opportunities for personal and professional growth that, if properly developed, can help make anyone a good job candidate. Volunteering with a community or civic organization shows outside involvement and provides a venue to keep job skills fresh. Another option is to continue working a few hours a week through a part-time job, job-sharing at a previous place of employment or by creating a small business. Workers wanting to reenter the workforce full time after a long period of unemployment should consider taking temporary positions to increase their recent work experience. Anyone can easily update his or her skills by enrolling in a class or doing online coursework. Networking through social or professional organizations is also a great way to maintain relationships with people in the field and keep future job prospects high. Involvement in any of these activities illustrates to employers that candidates care about their careers and should balance out any gaps a résumé may reflect.
The right résumé
Much of the problem with employment gaps is the way the story is told—or not told. A chronological résumé format with a large block of unexplained time creates an employment gap that can be a red flag to potential employers. Instead, people wanting to reenter the workforce should consider creating a résumé that opens with a summary of qualifications, including skills currently used during a career hiatus such as multitasking or communication. This can be followed by an experience section with a functional or chronological format and includes information such as positions held in civic organizations in addition to traditional work environments.
It’s important to include dates on a résumé and to not misrepresent your actual work experience. Employment dates are easily verifiable and dishonesty will reflect poorly. Also consider a section on related experience, related qualifications or additional skills to clearly describe qualifications such as computer or technical expertise. Don’t forget to include a section on education (people who’ve recently received degrees should consider placing this portion at the beginning of their résumé).
Talking about the gap
Job seekers shouldn’t describe the reason for a gap on a résumé; it’s simply not the proper place for this information. However, it is appropriate to include a partial explanation in a cover letter. It’s important not to go too deep into the details or to try to make employers sympathetic to a difficult experience, because this can put them off. If an employer wants more details, they’ll ask in an interview. Instead, use the cover letter to explain how general experiences during an employment gap relate to job qualifications or skills.
Being proactive is the best overall approach for people considering reentering the workforce. Keeping an updated résumé with all skills and experiences in the appropriate place will aid those wishing to secure work in the future. Doing so can increase the odds of becoming an employee who can add new knowledge and insight to the workforce.
Article courtesy of Express Personnel Services in Napa. For more information, contact Sandi Weimer at (707) 224-9252.
