Life often takes us on unexpected journeys, and one thing many professionals face is a career pause, also known as a “resume gap.” These pauses have a variety of causes, such as taking parental leave, being a full-time caregiver to a loved one, or being laid off from an organization during economic volatility or restructuring.
As recruiters, we believe in the value of diverse experiences, and we want to help you navigate this aspect of your professional journey with confidence and authenticity.
We also want to assure you that resume gaps are not viewed negatively but rather as part of your unique journey, contributing to the diverse tapestry of skills and experiences you bring to the table. It's not about the gap itself, but how you present and articulate the skills and experiences gained during that time.
So, how do you talk about resume gaps during the recruiting process? From resumes and cover letters to interviews and more, we’re here to help.
Embrace Transparency.
Honesty is the best policy. Transparently acknowledge the gap in your cover letter, or other written materials you may submit with your application. Then follow through in subsequent conversations. Being upfront about the gap sets the stage for open and positive conversations. It also lets recruiters know that you have nothing to hide, and how that “gap” experience intertwines with your evolving professional skills.
Highlight Transferable Skills.
Every career gap looks different. You might have free time to enhance and acquire new skills relevant to the role you’re applying for, or you might not. If you spent time volunteering, attended virtual events or courses, or completed freelance projects, all of those are valuable experiences to include in your documentation.
Ultimately, be optimistic about the experience, highlight what you’ve learned during that time, and how it benefits your professional development. Areas of improvement often include increased communication and collaboration skills, a matured ability to prioritize tasks and work efficiently individually or on a team, and more.
Navigate the Interview.
There are 2 keys for nailing an interview when discussing your career background with a resume gap: be proactive and emphasize growth.
Now that you’ve established a foundation for talking about the gap in your documents and how the experience positively impacted you, it should all align in your upcoming interviews.
Be proactive in your approach. If the topic doesn’t come up organically, consider addressing it yourself. Be succinct, and let the interviewer follow up with questions if they have them.
Emphasize growth as much as possible. If the conversation continues with follow-up questions, or the interviewer asks you to speak specifically about your time spent away from a professional setting, discuss how the resume gap allowed you to reflect, grow, and gain a fresh perspective. Emphasize any initiatives you took to stay connected with industry trends or any relevant projects you learned from.
Making It Happen.
As recruiters, our goal is to help you succeed in your professional journey. We encourage you to embrace your unique story, be proud of the skills acquired during your resume gap, and approach interviews with confidence. Remember, it's not about the gap; it's about the person you've become in the process.
Your journey is a testament to your resilience and adaptability, qualities that are highly valued in today's dynamic workplace. We wish you the best of luck in applying for roles of all shapes and sizes.
And for those of you seeking a career in consulting at Point B, we look forward to getting to know you and celebrating the diverse experiences that make you an exceptional candidate.
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