Handling Employment Gaps

Employment gaps are more common than you think. Here's how to address them confidently.

Why Gaps Happen

• Career transitions
• Health issues
• Family responsibilities
• Education or training
• Layoffs or company closures
• Sabbaticals or travel
• Freelance/contract work

How to Address Gaps

Option 1: Be Brief and Honest

Took time off to care for family (2022-2023)

Recruiters respect honesty. Most have experienced gaps themselves.

Option 2: Focus on What You Did

Freelance Marketing Consultant (2022-2023)
- Provided marketing strategy for 5+ startups
- Increased client revenue by average 40%
- Built personal brand and network

Even if you weren't formally employed, you likely did something valuable.

Option 3: Highlight Learning

Career Development Period (2022-2023)
- Completed Google Analytics Certification
- Built 3 personal projects (see portfolio)
- Completed online courses in UX Design

Show that you invested in yourself.

Option 4: Combine Approaches

Career Transition & Professional Development (2022-2023)
- Completed AWS Solutions Architect certification
- Built cloud infrastructure projects
- Freelanced for 2 tech startups

Pro Tips

💡 Don't lie - Dishonesty will catch up with you

💡 Be confident - Own your gap. Most people have them

💡 Focus on the positive - What did you learn? How did you grow?

💡 Keep it brief - One line is usually enough

💡 Tailor to the job - Highlight learning relevant to the position

In Your Resume

Place gap explanations:

• In the job title/description
• In a brief note under the dates
• In a "Professional Development" section

During Interviews

When asked about a gap:

• Be honest and straightforward
• Explain what you did during the gap
• Show how it made you a better candidate
• Redirect to your strengths and enthusiasm

Using shipresume

Our resume builder lets you add custom entries for gaps, freelance work, or learning periods. Create your resume and add these sections.

Next Steps

• Learn about career transitions
• Get AI feedback on how your gap is presented
• Create your resume
• Check our FAQs for more common questions