How to Address Gaps on Your Resume Effectively

A promotional image from City Personnel featuring a close-up of a professional resume on a clipboard being reviewed by someone holding a pen. The resume is structured with sections including Profile, Job Experiences, Education, and Skills. The individual reviewing the document is wearing a red sleeve. On the right side, bold, capitalized text reads "HOW TO ADDRESS GAPS ON YOUR RESUME EFFECTIVELY" in dark blue and white. The City Personnel logo is visible in the top left corner, reinforcing a career and recruitment-focused theme.

Share This Post

Gaps on a resume are not uncommon and can result from various life events such as further education, personal reasons, or unforeseen circumstances. However, when presented thoughtfully, these gaps do not have to hinder your job search success. Here’s a guide on how to make gaps on your resume more palatable to potential employers.

1. Be Honest and Transparent

Honesty is the best policy when it comes to addressing employment gaps. Trying to hide or misrepresent these gaps can backfire during the interview process. Clearly state the time periods when you were not employed and provide a brief, truthful explanation.

Example:
March 2021 – September 2022: Career Break
Took time off to care for a family member and pursue online certifications in digital marketing.

2. Highlight Productive Activities

Use your resume to showcase how you utilized your time during the gap. This could include:

  • Freelance Work: If you took on freelance projects or consulting work, highlight these experiences.
  • Volunteering: Volunteer work demonstrates initiative and can often be relevant to your career field.
  • Education and Training: Mention any courses, certifications, or training programs you completed to enhance your skills.

Example:
March 2021 – September 2022: Career Break
– Completed a Digital Marketing Certificate from Google.
– Volunteered at XYZ Organization, managing their social media campaigns.

3. Reformat Your Resume

Consider a functional or combination resume format instead of the traditional chronological format. This type of resume focuses more on skills and accomplishments rather than the timeline of your work history, which can help de-emphasize gaps.

4. Explain Gaps in Your Cover Letter

Your cover letter is an excellent opportunity to address any employment gaps proactively. Briefly explain the reason for the gap and focus on what you accomplished during that period. Be concise and direct, and then steer the conversation back to why you’re a great fit for the role.

Example:
During the period between March 2021 and September 2022, I took a career break to care for a family member and pursued further education in digital marketing. This experience has equipped me with additional skills and a renewed enthusiasm for my career in digital marketing, making me a strong candidate for your open position.

5. Prepare for Interviews

Lastly, be ready to discuss gaps in your employment history during interviews. Prepare a brief, positive explanation and pivot quickly to discussing your skills, achievements, and how you can contribute to the company. Practice your responses to ensure they sound natural and confident.

Subscribe & Follow

Gain a competitive advantage with our free 2025 Salary Guide

Access our Salary Guide with over 300+ detailed salary breakdowns for roles in Rhode Island!

Illustration of a woman sitting at a desk, analyzing data on two floating screens. One screen displays a pie chart, while the other shows a rising bar graph. The woman is smiling and gesturing towards the visuals. The desk has financial documents, a calculator, and a roll of paper. The illustration is grayscale with green highlights on key elements.

More To Explore

A promotional graphic for a blog post titled "AI-Written Resumes vs. Human-Written Resumes." The background features a dark blue pattern with faint office-related illustrations. On the left side, white bold text presents the blog title, followed by a smaller description about comparing AI-driven and human-created resumes. A red label at the top reads "BLOG POST." Below, a large button with "LEARN MORE" in black text links to "citypersonnel.net." On the right side, a partial view of a resume for "Paul Smith" is displayed, showing a professional timeline with job titles and skills.

AI-Written Resumes vs. Human-Written Resumes: Which One Wins?

The job search landscape has evolved dramatically in recent years, with technology playing an increasingly central role. One of the …

Read More →
A promotional graphic for a blog post titled "How the AI Boom Is Creating Jobs That Didn’t Exist Five Years Ago." The background is dark blue with faint illustrations of technology-related elements. On the right side, there is a 3D-rendered image of a crystal ball containing a pink computer chip labeled "AI." Below the title, a brief description states that while AI is replacing some jobs, it is also creating new job markets. At the bottom, a large button with black text on a white background says "LEARN MORE," with the website citypersonnel.net displayed underneath.

How the AI Boom is Creating Jobs That Didn’t Exist Five Years Ago

The AI Boom is Reshaping the Job Market Artificial Intelligence (AI) is more than just a technological breakthrough—it’s a fundamental …

Read More →
A digital graphic promoting a blog post titled 'Why Ghost Jobs Are Wasting Your Time.' The graphic has a dark blue background with white text. A red label at the top reads 'BLOG POST.' Below the title, a short paragraph explains that many job seekers invest time in applications only to face silence or rejection, attributing this to 'ghost jobs.' To the right, a list of four job postings is displayed. The first three—'Prepared Foods Dishwasher' at Whole Foods Market (posted 4 days ago), 'Customer Service/Sales' at The Home Depot (posted 5 days ago), and 'Recruiter' at City Personnel, Inc. (posted 2 days ago)—are outlined in green. The fourth listing, 'Receptionist' at TalentLink Solutions (posted 78 days ago), is outlined in red with a red arrow emphasizing the outdated posting date. At the bottom, a white button with black text reads 'LEARN MORE,' followed by the website address 'CITYPERSONNEL.NET.

Why ‘Ghost Jobs’ Are Wasting Your Time (And How to Spot Them)

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. You’re job hunting, scrolling through job boards, and checking out career pages …

Read More →
Scroll to Top
city personnel logo

Login

Are you looking for work?

See a Full List of Our Job Openings

At City Personnel, we fill temporary, temp to hire, and permanent positions, which gives you the flexibility in your career.