cover letter examples with gap in employment

Written Samples

15 sample cover letters for gap in employment.

Are you feeling anxious about a gap in your employment history?

Many job seekers face this challenge, whether due to personal circumstances, career changes, or unexpected layoffs.

The good news is that a well-crafted cover letter can help you address these gaps and showcase your strengths to potential employers.

Sample Cover Letters for Gap in Employment

In this article, we will provide 15 sample cover letters tailored for various employment gap scenarios, empowering you to confidently pursue your next career opportunity.

Cover Letter One: Returning to the Workforce After Raising Children

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am excited to apply for the Marketing Coordinator position at XYZ Company. With over five years of experience in digital marketing before taking a career break to raise my children, I am eager to return to the workforce and contribute my skills to your dynamic team.

During my time away from the corporate world, I remained active in the marketing community by volunteering for local non-profit organizations. I managed their social media accounts, created engaging content, and organized successful fundraising events. These experiences not only kept my marketing skills sharp but also enhanced my ability to multitask, prioritize, and collaborate effectively.

In my previous role as a Marketing Specialist at ABC Inc., I implemented successful email campaigns that increased customer engagement by 30% and generated a 20% increase in sales revenue. I am confident that I can bring the same level of dedication and results-driven approach to XYZ Company.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to discussing how my skills and experiences align with your company’s goals and contribute to its success.

[Your Name]

Cover Letter Two: Addressing a Gap Due to Personal Illness

I am writing to express my strong interest in the Software Developer position at XYZ Company. With a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and three years of experience in full-stack development, I am confident in my ability to make a meaningful contribution to your team.

You may notice a gap in my employment history from 2020 to 2021. During this time, I faced a personal health challenge that required my full attention. Thankfully, I have made a complete recovery and am now ready to fully dedicate myself to my career once again.

Throughout my professional journey, I have consistently demonstrated my ability to develop robust and scalable applications using modern technologies such as Java, Python, and ReactJS. In my previous role at ABC Tech, I successfully led the development of a web application that streamlined internal processes, resulting in a 25% increase in productivity.

I am excited about the opportunity to bring my technical expertise and problem-solving skills to XYZ Company. I am particularly drawn to your company’s innovative projects and commitment to using technology for social good.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the chance to further discuss how I can contribute to your team’s success.

Best regards,

Cover Letter Three: Explaining a Gap Due to Caring for a Family Member

I am writing to apply for the Customer Service Representative position at XYZ Company. With over seven years of experience in customer-facing roles, I am passionate about delivering exceptional service and building long-lasting customer relationships.

From 2019 to 2020, I took a career break to care for my elderly parent who was battling a serious illness. During this challenging time, I developed a deeper sense of empathy, patience, and adaptability – qualities that I believe are essential in providing outstanding customer service.

In my previous role as a Customer Service Specialist at ABC Corporation, I consistently exceeded performance targets, maintaining a 98% customer satisfaction rating. I am skilled in handling complex customer inquiries, de-escalating tense situations, and finding creative solutions to meet customer needs.

I am excited about the opportunity to bring my customer service expertise to XYZ Company and contribute to your team’s success. Your company’s reputation for exceptional customer care aligns perfectly with my values and career goals.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the chance to further discuss how my experiences and skills can benefit your organization.

Cover Letter Four: Addressing a Gap Due to Pursuing Higher Education

I am thrilled to apply for the Financial Analyst position at XYZ Company. With a recently completed Master’s degree in Finance and three years of prior experience in financial analysis, I am confident in my ability to make a significant contribution to your team.

You may notice a two-year gap in my employment history from 2020 to 2022. During this time, I made the decision to pursue a Master’s degree in Finance to further enhance my knowledge and skills in the field. This educational experience not only provided me with advanced technical skills but also honed my critical thinking, data analysis, and problem-solving abilities.

In my previous role as a Financial Analyst at ABC Corporation, I conducted in-depth financial modeling and analysis, resulting in cost savings of over $500,000 for the company. I am skilled in using financial software such as Bloomberg Terminal and have a keen eye for identifying trends and opportunities.

I am excited about the opportunity to bring my enhanced financial expertise and passion for data-driven decision-making to XYZ Company. Your company’s reputation for financial excellence and commitment to innovation aligns perfectly with my career aspirations.

Cover Letter Five: Explaining a Gap Due to Relocation

I am excited to apply for the Sales Manager position at XYZ Company. With over eight years of experience in sales and a proven track record of exceeding targets, I am confident in my ability to drive growth and contribute to your team’s success.

You may notice a six-month gap in my employment history from mid-2021 to early 2022. During this time, my spouse received a job opportunity that required us to relocate to a new city. While this transition took some time, I am now fully settled and eager to resume my career in sales.

In my previous role as a Sales Representative at ABC Corporation, I consistently ranked as a top performer, surpassing sales targets by an average of 25% each quarter. I am skilled in building strong customer relationships, identifying new business opportunities, and implementing effective sales strategies.

I am particularly drawn to XYZ Company’s innovative products and customer-centric approach. I am excited about the opportunity to bring my sales expertise and leadership skills to your team and contribute to your company’s continued success.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the chance to further discuss how I can help drive sales growth and exceed customer expectations at XYZ Company.

Cover Letter Six: Addressing a Gap Due to Entrepreneurial Venture

I am writing to express my strong interest in the Operations Manager position at XYZ Company. With over ten years of experience in operations management and a successful entrepreneurial venture under my belt, I am confident in my ability to drive efficiency and optimize processes for your organization.

From 2018 to 2021, I took a break from traditional employment to start my own e-commerce business. As the founder and CEO, I oversaw all aspects of the company, from product development to supply chain management and customer service. During this time, I honed my leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, successfully growing the business to a six-figure revenue within two years.

While I am proud of my entrepreneurial accomplishments, I have decided to return to a corporate role where I can contribute my operational expertise and leadership skills to a larger organization. In my previous role as an Operations Manager at ABC Corporation, I implemented process improvements that increased productivity by 20% and reduced operational costs by 15%.

I am excited about the opportunity to bring my diverse skill set and entrepreneurial mindset to XYZ Company. Your company’s commitment to operational excellence and innovation aligns perfectly with my values and career goals.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the chance to further discuss how I can contribute to your team’s success and drive operational efficiencies at XYZ Company.

Cover Letter Seven: Explaining a Gap Due to Volunteer Work

I am excited to apply for the Program Coordinator position at XYZ Non-Profit Organization. With over five years of experience in program management and a deep passion for community service, I am confident in my ability to make a meaningful contribution to your team and support your organization’s mission.

You may notice a one-year gap in my employment history from 2021 to 2022. During this time, I decided to take a sabbatical and dedicate myself to full-time volunteer work. I spent six months in a developing country, working with a local NGO to implement education and healthcare initiatives in underserved communities. This experience not only reinforced my commitment to social impact but also enhanced my cross-cultural communication, adaptability, and project management skills.

In my previous role as a Program Manager at ABC Non-Profit, I successfully designed and implemented a mentorship program that matched underprivileged youth with industry professionals, resulting in a 90% high school graduation rate among participants. I am skilled in program development, stakeholder engagement, and impact measurement.

I am particularly drawn to XYZ Non-Profit’s mission of empowering marginalized communities through education and advocacy. I am excited about the opportunity to bring my program management expertise and passion for social change to your organization.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the chance to further discuss how I can contribute to your team’s success and make a positive impact in the communities you serve.

Cover Letter Eight: Addressing a Gap Due to Military Service

I am writing to apply for the Logistics Coordinator position at XYZ Company. As a recent veteran with over six years of experience in military logistics and supply chain management, I am confident in my ability to contribute to your team’s success and drive operational efficiency.

From 2016 to 2022, I served in the United States Army as a Logistics Specialist. During my service, I oversaw the management and distribution of supplies, equipment, and personnel across multiple locations. I developed strong skills in inventory management, transportation coordination, and problem-solving under high-pressure situations.

While transitioning back to civilian life, I completed a Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management to complement my military experience with formal education. I am now eager to apply my logistics expertise and leadership skills to a corporate setting.

I am excited about the opportunity to bring my unique blend of military discipline, adaptability, and logistics knowledge to XYZ Company. Your company’s reputation for operational excellence and commitment to employee development aligns perfectly with my career aspirations.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the chance to further discuss how I can contribute to your team’s success and drive logistics efficiency at XYZ Company.

Cover Letter Nine: Explaining a Gap Due to Career Change

I am excited to apply for the Graphic Designer position at XYZ Company. While my background may seem unconventional, I am confident that my diverse experiences, creative skills, and passion for design make me a strong candidate for this role.

You may notice a two-year gap in my employment history from 2020 to 2022. During this time, I made the bold decision to pursue a career change from accounting to graphic design. I enrolled in a rigorous design program, where I honed my skills in Adobe Creative Suite, typography, and visual communication. I also completed several freelance projects, creating logos, brochures, and websites for small businesses.

Before my career transition, I worked as an Accountant at ABC Corporation for five years. While my role focused on financial analysis, I consistently found ways to incorporate my creative skills, designing visually appealing presentations and reports that effectively communicated complex financial data.

I am excited about the opportunity to bring my unique perspective, problem-solving abilities, and design skills to XYZ Company. Your company’s reputation for creative excellence and commitment to innovation aligns perfectly with my career aspirations.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the chance to further discuss how my diverse background and passion for design can contribute to your team’s success and bring a fresh perspective to your creative projects.

Cover Letter Ten: Addressing a Gap Due to Pursuing Personal Goals

I am writing to express my strong interest in the Project Manager position at XYZ Company. With over eight years of experience in project management and a proven track record of delivering successful projects, I am confident in my ability to contribute to your team’s success.

You may notice a six-month gap in my employment history from early to mid-2021. During this time, I decided to take a personal sabbatical to pursue a long-standing personal goal – climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. This experience not only challenged me physically and mentally but also reinforced my resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving skills – qualities that I believe are essential for effective project management.

In my previous role as a Senior Project Manager at ABC Corporation, I successfully led cross-functional teams in delivering complex projects on time and within budget. I am skilled in project planning, risk management, and stakeholder communication, consistently achieving client satisfaction rates above 95%.

I am excited about the opportunity to bring my project management expertise and passion for driving results to XYZ Company. Your company’s reputation for excellence in project delivery and commitment to employee growth aligns perfectly with my career goals.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the chance to further discuss how I can contribute to your team’s success and deliver high-impact projects at XYZ Company.

Cover Letter Eleven: Explaining a Gap Due to Pursuing Professional Certification

I am excited to apply for the Human Resources Manager position at XYZ Company. With over ten years of experience in HR and a recently acquired SHRM-SCP certification, I am confident in my ability to make a significant contribution to your team and drive HR initiatives that support your organization’s goals.

You may notice a four-month gap in my employment history in 2022. During this time, I decided to take a short break from my career to fully dedicate myself to preparing for the SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) exam. This rigorous certification process not only enhanced my knowledge of strategic HR practices but also reinforced my commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

In my previous role as an HR Business Partner at ABC Corporation, I successfully implemented a company-wide performance management system that aligned individual goals with organizational objectives, resulting in a 25% increase in employee engagement. I am skilled in talent acquisition, employee relations, and HR strategy development.

I am excited about the opportunity to bring my HR expertise and passion for driving employee success to XYZ Company. Your company’s reputation for excellence in people management and commitment to creating a positive workplace culture aligns perfectly with my own values and career aspirations.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the chance to further discuss how I can contribute to your team’s success and develop HR strategies that support your organization’s growth.

Cover Letter Twelve: Addressing a Gap Due to Temporary Consulting Work

I am writing to apply for the Marketing Manager position at XYZ Company. With over seven years of experience in marketing and a proven track record of developing successful campaigns, I am confident in my ability to contribute to your team’s success and drive marketing initiatives that generate results.

You may notice a one-year gap in my traditional employment history from 2021 to 2022. During this time, I decided to pursue temporary consulting work, providing marketing strategy and execution services to several small businesses and startups. This experience not only diversified my skill set but also honed my ability to adapt quickly to new industries and challenges.

In my previous role as a Marketing Specialist at ABC Corporation, I developed and executed multi-channel marketing campaigns that increased brand awareness by 40% and generated a 25% increase in lead generation. I am skilled in market research, content creation, and data-driven decision-making.

I am excited about the opportunity to bring my marketing expertise and entrepreneurial mindset to XYZ Company. Your company’s reputation for innovative marketing strategies and commitment to staying ahead of industry trends aligns perfectly with my career goals.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the chance to further discuss how I can contribute to your team’s success and develop marketing initiatives that drive business growth at XYZ Company.

Cover Letter Thirteen: Explaining a Gap Due to Caring for a Personal Health Issue

I am excited to apply for the Customer Success Manager position at XYZ Company. With over six years of experience in customer success and a passion for building long-lasting client relationships, I am confident in my ability to contribute to your team’s success and drive customer satisfaction.

You may notice a nine-month gap in my employment history from late 2021 to mid-2022. During this time, I faced a personal health challenge that required my full attention and time to address. Thankfully, I have made a complete recovery and am now ready to fully dedicate myself to my career once again.

In my previous role as a Customer Success Specialist at ABC Corporation, I consistently exceeded customer retention targets, achieving a 95% renewal rate among my client portfolio. I am skilled in account management, relationship building, and proactively identifying and addressing customer needs.

I am excited about the opportunity to bring my customer success expertise and passion for driving client satisfaction to XYZ Company. Your company’s reputation for exceptional customer service and commitment to building long-term partnerships aligns perfectly with my values and career goals.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the chance to further discuss how I can contribute to your team’s success and help drive customer loyalty and growth at XYZ Company.

Cover Letter Fourteen: Addressing a Gap Due to Pursuing a Creative Passion

I am writing to express my strong interest in the Content Strategist position at XYZ Company. With over five years of experience in content creation and a recently published novel under my belt, I am confident in my ability to contribute to your team’s success and develop engaging content strategies.

You may notice a one-year gap in my traditional employment history from 2021 to 2022. During this time, I made the bold decision to take a sabbatical and dedicate myself to writing my first novel. This creative pursuit not only sharpened my writing skills but also reinforced my ability to craft compelling stories, engage audiences, and meet ambitious deadlines.

In my previous role as a Content Marketing Specialist at ABC Corporation, I developed and executed content strategies that increased website traffic by 50% and generated a 30% increase in lead generation. I am skilled in SEO optimization, social media management, and data-driven content creation.

I am excited about the opportunity to bring my content expertise and creative mindset to XYZ Company. Your company’s reputation for innovative content marketing and commitment to storytelling aligns perfectly with my own passions and career aspirations.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the chance to further discuss how I can contribute to your team’s success and develop content strategies that captivate audiences and drive business growth at XYZ Company.

Cover Letter Fifteen: Explaining a Gap Due to Pursuing Language Studies Abroad

I am excited to apply for the International Sales Representative position at XYZ Company. With over four years of experience in sales and a recently completed intensive language immersion program in Spain, I am confident in my ability to contribute to your team’s success and drive sales growth in international markets.

You may notice a six-month gap in my employment history in 2022. During this time, I decided to pursue an intensive Spanish language immersion program in Madrid. This experience not only enhanced my language proficiency but also deepened my understanding of cross-cultural communication and international business practices.

In my previous role as a Sales Associate at ABC Corporation, I consistently exceeded sales targets, achieving 120% of my quota in my last fiscal year. I am skilled in relationship building, negotiations, and adapting my sales approach to diverse customer needs and cultural contexts.

I am excited about the opportunity to bring my sales expertise and language skills to XYZ Company. Your company’s reputation for success in international markets and commitment to cultural diversity align perfectly with my career goals and personal values.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the chance to further discuss how I can contribute to your team’s success and help drive sales growth in Spanish-speaking markets at XYZ Company.

Addressing employment gaps in your cover letter can be a challenging but crucial aspect of your job search.

By being proactive, honest, and highlighting the valuable experiences and skills you gained during your time away from the traditional workforce, you can effectively showcase your unique value proposition to potential employers.

Remember, every candidate’s journey is different, and it’s essential to tailor your cover letter to your specific circumstances and the requirements of the job you’re applying for.

Use these 15 sample cover letters as a starting point, but don’t be afraid to infuse your personality, experiences, and accomplishments into your writing.

By crafting a compelling cover letter that addresses your employment gap head-on, you can demonstrate your resilience, adaptability, and commitment to your career growth.

So, embrace your unique story, showcase your strengths, and confidently pursue your next career opportunity.

Cover Letter With Employment Gap | Sample and Template

Addressing an employment gap in a cover letter is a delicate art. Our page equips you with the finesse required to turn a career hiatus into a compelling story of personal and professional development.

Here, you’ll find insightful strategies, a robust sample, and a customizable template that together will help you navigate the discussion of employment gaps with confidence.

Use these resources to highlight your resilience and the valuable skills acquired during your time away from the workforce.

This guidance is crafted to ensure you present your career break not as a detour, but as a deliberate journey towards enhancing your professional stature.

Begin your next chapter with a cover letter that bridges the past with your bright future.

Sample Cover Letter With Employment Gap

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to express my keen interest in the Administrative Assistant position at Pathway Enterprises as listed on your website. Your commitment to community engagement and fostering a collaborative workplace aligns perfectly with my professional values and skills.

You may notice from my resume that there is a gap in my employment history from June 2021 to March 2024. I’d like to take a moment to share the context behind this. I made the decision to take this time off to fully dedicate myself to caring for an ailing family member. Though this period was focused on personal obligations, it also afforded me the opportunity to undertake personal development, improving my organizational and administrative capabilities.

During this interval, I completed an online course in advanced Microsoft Office Suite skills, which sharpened my proficiency in essential tools such as Excel, PowerPoint, and Word. Moreover, to maintain a connection to my professional roots, I volunteered as a part-time remote administrator for a local charity, Love for Literacy. In this capacity, I helped organize their online fundraising events, manage donor databases, and coordinate communication between different departments, effectively keeping my administrative skills sharp and current.

Now that I am re-entering the workforce, I am excited to bring a refreshed enthusiasm and a set of strengthened skills to the role at Pathway Enterprises. Prior to my hiatus, I accumulated over four years of experience as an Administrative Assistant where I excelled in roles that required exceptional attention to detail, strong organization skills, comprehensive management of executive schedules, and the handling of confidential information.

I am very hopeful about the opportunity to bring my blend of experience, coupled with fresh insights, to support the growth and efficiency of Pathway Enterprises. My dedication to excellent administrative support and continuous improvement make me the ideal candidate to contribute to the success of your team.

Please contact me at your convenience so we can discuss how I can be a part of Pathway Enterprises in greater detail. You can reach me at (000) 987-6543 or via email at [email protected] . Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of contributing to your esteemed company and am ready to make a positive impact from day one.

Warmest regards,

Claire Thompson 789 Westward Lane Admin City, IN 46000 [email protected] (000) 987-6543

Cover Letter With Employment Gap (Template)

Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to express my interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. I believe that my skills and experience make me a strong candidate for this role.

As you review my resume, you may notice a gap in my employment history. I want to provide context and address this directly. During that period, I made a deliberate decision to take time away from the professional world to focus on personal matters. This break allowed me to dedicate my attention to [reasons for the gap, such as family responsibilities, health, or personal development].

Although I was not working in a traditional role during this period, I remained actively engaged and committed to continuous self-improvement. I took advantage of the time to sharpen my [relevant skills] through online courses, workshops, and independent projects. Additionally, I volunteered my time with [reputable organizations], where I could contribute my skills while making a positive impact in the community.

While the gap in my employment history may raise questions, I want to emphasize that I have valuable skills and qualifications to offer. I am highly motivated, adaptable, and eager to contribute my expertise to [Company Name] and its mission.

I appreciate your time and consideration of my application. I am confident that my passion for [industry or field] and my dedication to personal growth make me an excellent fit for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my skills align with your needs in more detail during an interview.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Tips for Writing a Cover Letter With Employment Gap

If you’re crafting a cover letter and there happens to be a gap in your employment history, it’s essential to address this in a manner that puts a positive spin on your time away from the workforce.

Here are some practical tips to help you write an effective cover letter that explains the employment gap while emphasizing your strengths and suitability for the job.

1. Address the Employment Gap Upfront

Confront the issue head-on by providing a brief but honest explanation for your employment gap. Whether it was due to personal commitments, health issues, or a sabbatical for professional development, be upfront but concise about it.

2. Focus the Positive

Focus on the constructive aspects of your time out of work. If you acquired new skills, engaged in volunteer work, or pursued relevant certifications or studies, make sure you detail these and relate how they can benefit the prospective employer.

3. Highlight Your Transferable Skills

Draw attention to the transferable skills you’ve developed, which could include project management while volunteering, communication skills from coordinating community events, or problem-solving skills through diverse life experiences. Show how they apply to the position.

4. Emphasize Your Professional Development

If you used your time off to enhance your qualifications or stay current in your field, mention any relevant courses or certifications. This demonstrates your commitment to self-improvement and professional growth.

5. Showcase Relevant Achievements

Your employment gap doesn’t erase your prior work experience. Highlight your most relevant achievements from previous positions that show you have the skills and experience needed for the job.

6. Customize Your Cover Letter

Tailor each cover letter to the job and company you’re applying for. Research the organization and align your qualifications with their mission, culture, and the specifics of the job opening.

7. Maintain a Positive Tone

Keep the tone of your cover letter optimistic and enthusiastic. Rather than focusing on the gap, emphasize your readiness and zeal to return to the workforce.

8. Be Brief But Honest

Don’t dwell on the employment gap; provide enough information to address any concerns but keep the focus on your capabilities and the value you can bring to the company.

9. Avoid Negative Language

Refrain from using negative terms when discussing your employment gap. Words like “unemployed” can be replaced with “available for new opportunities” or “took a sabbatical.”

10. Request an Interview

Conclude your cover letter with a call to action, inviting the hiring manager to discuss your application in further detail through an interview.

Remember, transparency and the ability to turn potential weaknesses into showcases of strength and character can set you apart. Crafting your cover letter with these tips can help you effectively bridge the gap in your employment when applying for new job opportunities.

Recommended:

• Housewife Returning to Work Cover Letter Sample
• Mom Returning to Work Cover Letter Sample

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An Example Cover Letter Explaining a Gap in Employment

When you are applying for jobs, hiring managers will always notice gaps in employment. They’ll understandably wonder what happened. Are you at high risk of quitting? Have you experienced performance issues or exhibited irresponsible behavior in the past? 

It’s very important that you don’t ignore or gloss over an employment gap. The best way is to deal with it is honesty. And the best place to do this is in your cover letter. The tips below will explain how to address common scenarios where you may have a gap in your employment, both good and bad. Keep reading, there’s also a sample cover letter explaining a gap in employment.

How Long is Too Long of an Employment Gap?

There’s no “unacceptable” length for an employment gap per se as there are many valid reasons why you have been out of the workforce for a year — continuing education, raising a family, or dealing with an illness. Most HRs will view a 1-5 year gap in employment as a reasonable break. But longer gaps, think 5+ years, will likely warrant a more detailed explanation in your cover letter. 

How Do You Explain a Gap in Employment in a Cover Letter?

A cover letter is meant to complement your resume — highlight your strengths, showcase your motivation, and address some of the shortcomings such as an employment gap. The best place to clarify the gap in employment is the body of your cover letter. Think second or third paragraph. 

Here’s a sample cover letter structure you may want to go for:

• Introduction: Hook the reader with your motivation and key qualifications.  
• Second paragraph: Reiterate the main skill or experience you are bringing to the table.
• Third: Briefly address your employment gap and state why you are eager to get back on track. 
• Conclusion. End on a high note. Mention the value you can bring to the company or speak about your passion for the job at hand. 

Now let’s look at greater depth on how you can turn the above outline into a persuasive cover letter explaining the gaps in employment!

Be Direct When a Gap in Employment is Objectively Positive

Some gaps in employment are positive things. Even so, you still need to address them. Otherwise, a potential employer might make assumptions. Instead, take advantage of the opportunity to share something positive. Address your gap directly if you are a homemaker returning to work , received a fellowship to pursue an academic interest, taken a hiatus to do volunteer work, or worked on an independent project. Not only will this clear up any misunderstandings, but it could also be a positive addition to your application packet.

Some Gaps Can Be Ignored

Before you spend time worrying about an employment gap, ask yourself if you need to address the issue at all. For example, if you have five or more years of steady employment history, there’s no need to bring up a gap in employment before that. Likewise, you don’t need to mention gaps in employment that occurred while you were a college student. You can also ignore any gap that is less than six months. 

Finally, job hopping can be a problem, but it is not the same as having an employment gap. How you handle job-hopping really depends on the industry, and what you were doing at the time. For example, some fields like retail , hospitality, customer service , etc, tend to have a quick turnover, and employment periods tend to be shorter.

Add The Gap in The Closing Paragraph as a Power Move

If you can put a positive spin on a gap in employment, especially a recent one, add it to your closing paragraph. You can use the gap to tell prospective employers that you are now ready to move forward and do great things in your career.

For example, imagine that you are returning to work after studying for a year. You could close your cover letter by writing:

‘I was fortunate enough to spend the past year studying Organizational Psychology at Boston University. I am now ready to take the skills I have acquired and apply them as your new manager of human resources. I would love to meet with you to discuss your needs.’

Never Give Too Much Information

Remember that you are not obligated to share all of the details about a negative gap in employment. Keep in mind that a previous employer is likely to be pretty tight-lipped about a negative relationship with you unless it is something they are legally obligated to disclose. While you shouldn’t lie, you don’t have to go into great detail. 

For example, don’t go into detail about an ongoing personality conflict with a previous employer that culminated in a heated argument, and resulted in damaging your reputation on the local business scene. Instead, simply mention a difference in opinion or conflicting working styles that led to your decision to rethink your career options.

Employment Gap Cover Letter Sample in .docx Format

Download example (Word version)

Example Cover Letter Explaining a Gap in Employment – Text Format

Dear Ms. Wilkerson, 

I am writing this letter to apply for the position of General Manager of your San Diego restaurant division. I have ten years of restaurant management experience, before that, I worked in both fronts of the house and back of house positions in the fine-dining space on the west coast. I believe the experience I have closely mirrors what you need in a GM.

As someone who works in the food-service industry, I have a passion for catering people. That passion extends beyond providing delicious food to the customers who come into my venus. Because of this, I recently took a year-long hiatus to help create nutritional programs for schools in developing nations. In addition to being privileged to help others, I learned quite a bit about reducing food waste and working within a very stringent budget. I know that I can turn those skills into cost savings for any restaurant that I manage.

I am ready to jump back into the game and restart my career as a restaurant manager. I am confident that I am the perfect person to lead your restaurants in the San Diego area. Let’s meet to discuss this further!

Thanks for your time,

Jeffrey Ninja

How To Address a Gap in Employment? More Examples!

Still not sure how to compose the right narrative? Here are several quick snippets you can use in your cover letter:

Explaining a Gap in Employment Due to Family 

For the past three years, I’ve been serving as a Resident Home Educator, to my two kids, aged 6 and 9. While I’ve been out of my original career lane as a Communications Manager, I still practiced and developed my skills. Homeschooling my children have helped me improve my presentational skills and research skills. I’m now an expert in breaking down complex concepts into engaging short narratives and feel that this ability will help me find success in a new role as an Editorial Strategist with your firm. 

Explaining a Gap in Employment Due to Mental Illness

After successfully completing the $50 million M&A deal at my previous consulting firm, I decided to take a year off to restore my mental health. This time has also helped me reflect on my priorities and re-evaluate my career path, leading me to the idea of transitioning to a non-profit sector. I believe Charity Quest can greatly benefit from my past financial advisory experience to ensure better P&L management and cash flow. 

Explaining a Gap in Employment Due to Covid-19

I greatly enjoyed working at Nightime Lounge, where I served as a chief mixologist for the past 1.5 years and a half. The restaurant manager, James Welsh, can provide further reference on my performance. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, I was furloughed. However, I used my free time to create a YouTube channel and short cocktail mixology course with several signature recipes. You can review both on my website. 

How Do You Explain Gap Year in Cover Letter?

The easiest way to bring up your gap year is by briefly explaining what you did and what skills or experiences you’ve obtained along your journey. Don’t talk about the fun travel you did or lounge time you had. Instead, focus on the vocations, interests, and perhaps extra education that you’ve pursued along the way. 

Here’s a quick example of how to address a gap year in your cover letter:

“After completing my BS degree in Biology at Denver State University, I chose to take a gap year to reflect on my studies and determine which career path may work best for me. During that time, I volunteered with the West Coast Marine Savers and my experience lead me to discover my passion for water conservation. When I noticed an opening at your firm, I was excited to jump at the opportunity for applying.”

How to Explain Gaps in Employment Due to Disability?

Becoming temporary or permanently disabled can have a severe mental toll on you, which is understandable. But don’t let your doubts or negative emotions get into the way of your job search. Instead of treating (and thus speaking about) your disability as a weakness, merely acknowledge it as one of the facts. Then move on to highlighting some of your other strengths. 

Here’s a quick example of how you can address disability in your cover letter:

“ Two years ago, I got into a bad car accident and was left disabled for the following 1.5 months. Today, I have fully recovered mentally, yet still, have some difficulties walking. However, my condition in no way affects my ability to create user-friendly website designs and, specifically, material design applications.”

Final Tip: Keep it Brief, Yet Direct

Don’t make the mistake of drawing more attention to gaps in your employment than you need to. Your cover letter should focus on your skills, passions, and fit for the job. If you spend more than a couple of sentences over-explaining a gap in your work history, that’s going to be problematic. Be brief and matter of fact.

Other Cover Letter Samples

Cover letter for journal submission: sample and tips, compelling human services cover letter example, a compelling program manager cover letter example, a lovely legal secretary cover letter example.

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How to Explain Gaps in Employment (With Examples)

By Biron Clark

Published: November 8, 2023

Interview Preparation | Resume/CV

Biron Clark

Writer & Career Coach

Explaining gaps in employment can be intimidating, but there are a couple of effective methods you can use. In this article, I’m going to show you how to explain employment gaps in your interviews, resume and cover letter … with word-for-word examples and sample explanations.

Let’s get started with the interview first…

Explaining Gaps In Employment In Your Interview

Explaining gaps in employment is really just about knowing what reasons are okay to share, and which ones you should tell a white lie about or not share. And then being upfront and comfortable with your answer.

These are all good sample reasons for having a gap in employment:

• Caring for a sick family member
• Caring for a young child
• Any medical or health issue
• Taking time off to relocate and find a job in a new state/city
• Pursuing further education or going back to school
• Pursuing any other type of professional training
• Taking time off to travel, study, work on a solo project, etc.
• Trying to start a business or freelance career
• You were laid off , your former company downsized, etc… and you had trouble finding a job after
• You were actively searching but had trouble finding a job (NOTE: I’ll cover this in detail later but you need to make it sound like you were being selective in your job search and waiting to find the RIGHT fit. That sounds a *lot* better than saying, “I was looking everywhere but couldn’t find a single company that would consider hiring me!”

Once you have your reason prepared… Here are the general steps to follow when explaining gaps in employment in the interview: 

• Explain the situation clearly but briefly. They don’t need a ton of personal details. Just give them the core facts.
• Show that the situation has ended or is no longer a factor, so they won’t be worried you’ll have to take another break from working. If they hire you, they want to know you’re 100% ready to work for them.
• Reiterate your interest in their position and bring the focus back onto this job interview and this position.

Examples Of How To Explain Employment Gaps In An Interview:

Sample explanation 1:

I had to resign from my previous position to care for an aging family member. I did this for the past year. Since then, my siblings and I have hired a full-time caregiver so I no longer need to be present, and am fully available to work now and in the future. So I’ve begun job searching and I’m focused on finding a sales supervisor or manager position that will help me advance my career further now.

Sample explanation 2:

I was laid off nine months ago. I started my job search immediately after, and I’m looking for sales supervisor or sales manager positions now to continue advancing my career. I’ve had a number of interviews but haven’t found the right fit yet. One thing I’m looking for is a chance to mentor and train team members, and manage a team directly. I saw that mentioned on the job description for this position… can you tell me more about that?

Two Things To Remember When Answering:

1. You need to sound like an in-demand job candidate…

If you’re explaining a current gap in employment, you need to sound like you’re being selective and that you’re focused on making sure you find the best fit for the long term, rather than just accepting the first job you come across. That’ll make a 6 month gap (or longer) sound a bit better. If you’ve been job hunting during your employment gap, you don’t want it to sound like you haven’t had a single interview in the last few months. That’s never a good idea. If your gap in employment is related to health, travel, a family member’s health, etc…. then it’s fine to say you haven’t had any interviews.

2. Be upfront and honest…

Gaps in employment happen, and good hiring managers will realize this. If you’ve made it into the interview, there’s obviously something they liked on your resume . So when it comes to explaining gaps in employment it’s best to be honest and upfront.

You probably won’t lose out on the job by explaining the situation. You will definitely lose out on the job by lying or seeming like you’re trying to cover something up.

Explaining Gaps In Employment On Your Resume

Okay, maybe you’re still writing your resume or having trouble getting interviews. How do you explain gaps in your employment on your resume so you can GET interviews in the first place?

Here are a few ways you can explain (or hide) gaps in employment:

• List years instead of months for previous positions. (e.g. “2014-2016”). I’ve used this method in the past when I had a couple of small gaps between jobs (by a small gap, I mean 2-3 months maximum). This won’t work if you have too many gaps though, or gaps longer than one year.
• If your gaps are longer or more frequent, consider providing a brief note on the resume listing your reason for the gap in employment. Just list it like any other job. Put your previous positions with the dates you held them. And for your gap, you’d have dates there too, and a one-line explanation (“I took a hiatus from work in order to care for an elderly family member in need”).

If you use these strategies, consider going onto LinkedIn and making the same changes there too. If these options don’t work for you, write a cover letter ! This is a good idea no matter what. In your cover letter, explain what happened in detail and draw their attention to the gap so that you can tell them the full story instead of allowing them to make assumptions (you’re usually better off attacking controversial topics head-on).

That’s how I’d explain gaps in employment on a resume. Also, nobody can tell you with 100% certainty what will work in your industry, with the specific circumstances of your gap in employment (dates, length, reason for the gap, etc.)

So TEST things out. Send out 10 resumes one way, and if nobody’s responding, change something up. If it’s not working, you can’t just keep doing the same things on auto-pilot. That’s how you end up not finding a job .

It’s usually better to be upfront than hide employment gaps

I always give the same resume advice to candidates with gaps in their work history: Be straightforward rather than trying to hide dates or other pieces of information. Hiring managers are usually going to be able to tell if you’re hiding something. Your resume should feature a chronological work history on the first page that includes job titles, company names, key responsibilities for each role, and yes… dates of employment.

No matter what you do, there are some employers out there who won’t like the fact that you have a gap in your employment. That’s okay… Companies like that aren’t worth your time. We’re human. Things happen. And there’s more to life than working nonstop for 40 years. So don’t get discouraged if a few companies say they’re not interested, or just don’t respond. I guarantee those are the same companies you do NOT want to work for anyway because they’re going to have horrible vacation policies, bosses who question you every time you take a sick day, etc.

Note: These Tips and Sample Explanations Will Also Work on Job Applications

Sometimes a job application will say, “please explain any gaps in employment.” The advice resume advice above also work for job applications. Follow the same “rules”, be clear and upfront, and you’ll be fine when applying for jobs.

The one adjustment I’d recommend making on job applications (and cover letters): Be clear and direct, but don’t give too much information. The only goal of your job application is to get you into the interview. If they’re concerned about employment gaps, they can ask more in the interview. And that’s where you should be very honest/open and explain things further. That’s where you can gauge their reactions, decide how much to share based on their responses, etc. You can’t do this in a written explanation.

So, by writing too much info on a job application, you might do more harm than good. It’s better to discuss this type of thing in person, so  limit your explanation to 1-2 sentences for each gap in employment on your job applications, cover letters, etc. 

Final Advice on How to Explain Gaps in Employment:

Don’t be apologetic about your work history. Taking time off is not something to be ashamed of. Not every company will want to interview you, but some will. Stand by your decisions and choices, present your skills with a straightforward (chronological) resume format , and be ready to answer questions and explain yourself further in the job interview.

Related reading:

• What to do when you can’t find a job in your field
• How to answer “Why did you leave your last job?”

About the Author

Read more articles by Biron Clark

20 thoughts on “How to Explain Gaps in Employment (With Examples)”

Monster’s report The Future of Work 2021 has shown that the employment gap is no longer considered a red flag by almost half of employers in the US. That’s a piece of good news because it indicates that the marketplace is becoming more tolerant of deviance in the workforce.

However, it doesn’t mean that the black holes on your career record will be overlooked. Rather, they will be carefully examined and objectively evaluated so that the right candidates are not going to slip through the cracks just because of an obsolete prejudice.

I’m in the same situation, was an IT contractor for a number of years, then jobs fell away after year 2000 work had finished, and employers would no longer consider me for permanent jobs due to the fact i’d been a contractor, I guess they assumed I’d just leave when the market picked up!

Long story short, mortgage to pay, no income, had to sell my house and downsize to a flat, and then used that to go into property development with friends which has now finished, and now trying to go back to my original career of software development, seems like an uphill impossible task at the moment, but glad to read your advice even if my “career break” is 18 years!

I’ve done a lot of similar temporary jobs, but had several months gap in the middle of them nearly everytime. I’ve had dozens of interviews everytime, always get them easily. Struggle with the interviews though because I have Aspergers’. When I have been successful with that before as soon as I’ve mentioned my Epilepsy I have very mildly too, several places have changed their minds then, stopped me. I keep getting asked more + more now why I’ve got so many long employment gaps, how am I supposed to answer that in a positive way?

I thought it was interesting that you didn’t list caring for young children as a valid reason for a gap in employment. Your tips were still helpful to me, though.

Good point. That’s also a valid reason (and a common one).

Thank you for posting this, I have a ton of different jobs and gaps because being a ex pipe welder I went where the work was, most of the world does not get it. Life is a roller coaster companies will be booming for a couple years then dead as a door nail. This write up really has helped me not to make my crazy work history look so crazy.

Why don´t you just say Sabbatical ? Regardless how long the gap was it provides a plausible explanation and each one fill out with their own reasons…

i have gap of 9 month due to my previous company boss is horrible ,its very much difficulty to survive, so i had reign and taken break of six month ,from last 3 month i have given interview but its not happening so what i suppose to give reason for gap. can you explain can you explain.

Thanks for the nice article. But I am looking for more the answers of where to write this gaps explanations in our cv. My current CV sections are sunsequently like, Experiences, Educations, Technical skills and language skills, Certifications. So I have currently two 6 months gap in my CV. First one was before I started to my current job. I learned german, So I was in intensive german course. Other 6 months is after my last job. And I was preparing for the some certification exams through self study and online courses. So the question, to which section should I write this gap explanations. Thanks a lot for the answers

If you’re explaining a gap in employment, you should write it in your employment history. You should have a section with your chronological work history. I know other people recommend a “Functional” resume and all sorts of other stuff to hide gaps but in my experience, it doesn’t work. You should be listing each previous role and job duties in chronological order, with the dates. (You can choose to show months and years, or just years). And then you can put something to explain gaps of employment right in that section of your resume.

Thanks Biron Clark for the answer. As I understood you right you adviced me to write my gap explanations directly to work experiences section even though they are not work experience actually. Correct me if I understood wrong. But what about writing them to directly their own section. For example I have a section in the second page of my CV which is “language skills” So I have here just written english (business fluent), german (business fluent). Can I put that times combining near it. like below English (business fluent) German (business fluent), MM/YYYY – MM/YYYY German Course…..

or are you still offering me to write in employment history? Thanks for the ideas

I haven’t yet found the situation that applies to me, for good reason – I had taken a leave of absence to pursue a master’s degree. My mother had been ill with cancer, and was in remission, and I had the opportunity, so I went. Before I was able to complete my thesis, the cancer returned, and she died. I was devastated, and needed to take time away from teaching, because I couldn’t give students what they needed. So, though I had found another job teaching, I wasn’t able to do it, and they released me from my contract. I had only taught for a couple of weeks. After a year, I decided that I needed a longer break, and I obtained my real estate broker’s license. Since that time, I have sold real estate, although I have also been a substitute teacher – one year, I subbed the entire year with another teacher. We split the position. It saved the district money, since they didn’t have to pay benefits with two half-time teachers. The year after, I taught half days for several weeks for a teacher with a bad back problem, and I’ve subbed occasionally since then. Now, I want to go back to teaching. I’m ready now. My grief over the death of my mother is complicated, and it really devasted me. I needed the time away from teaching, because it requires everything you have to give, and I needed time to heal. I have 19 years’ experience as a teacher, and I’ve accomplished some things I’m very proud of. I am now applying for teaching positions, and I need a way to explain the past 5.5 years away from teaching full-time without sounding maudlin, or whiny.

This was really handy, thank you.

Hello! I have been unemployed for 9 months. I left my company where i had worked for 4 years to take another offer. Unfortunatey, I did leave this new position afte over 1 month. The main reason is that it doesn’t fit with me as I had thought of it. I don’t know how to explain my employmen gap for the past 9 months positively. I feel very uncomfortable and hopeless.

“You were laid off, your former company downsized, etc… and you had trouble finding a job after”

That’s pretty much why I’m not employed for now. And yet no one wants to even interview me.

I have periods of “good” jobs I would be happy to include on my resume followed by low-level jobs that would get my resume tossed. These cycles correlate to how well I have been able to deal with my depression. I have been leaving those lower-level jobs off my resume and trying to explain away the gaps instead without referring to depression as an issue that has surfaced more than once. I feel fine at the moment, but this is a big problem moving forward.

I would really like advice on how to deal with this situation without lying or oversharing!

Hello, I totally agree with Kero. Indeed, there is more to life than working nonstop for 40 years. I appreciate for your article, now I feel more confident.

Hi !! I just want to say thank you for providing this article and share it with all of us . Im out of job for almost 2 years already despite had a good career background but after continue searching there is no luck so far . Im really touched by the last part of this “So don’t get discouraged if a few companies say they’re not interested, or just don’t respond. I guarantee those are the same companies you do NOT want to work for anyway because they’re going to have horrible vacation policies, bosses who question you every time you take a sick day, etc.” …The moment I read that I burst into tear. So thank you again to at least cheer me up and have hope again .

Thanks for taking the time to write this. I’m really happy to hear this helped you.

Comments are closed.

• Career Blog

How to Explain Gaps in Employment: Best Examples & Tips

In today’s society, the job market is ever-changing, and gaps in employment have become increasingly common. Whether due to personal or professional reasons, explaining these gaps can be a daunting task. This article aims to provide the best examples and tips for explaining gaps in employment effectively.

Explaining gaps in employment is essential to avoid misunderstandings and misinterpretations by recruiters, hiring managers, and potential employers. Recruiters often consider employment gaps negative traits, leading job seekers to face unwanted questions and rejections. Clear and concise explanations of employment gaps demonstrate honesty, transparency, and reliable employment history. Additionally, they showcase personal and professional growth during gaps in employment, highlighting one’s potential to be an asset to an organization.

In the following sections, we will explore various examples and tips that can help job seekers explain gaps in employment effectively.

Reasons for gaps in employment

The reasons for gaps in employment can vary from person to person and can be either voluntary or involuntary. As a professional, it is essential to know how to explain your gaps effectively, as it may reflect on your work ethic and reliability. Here, we discuss the different reasons for gaps in employment to help you identify and explain them accurately.

A. Voluntary Reasons

1. personal issues.

Personal issues can range from mental health concerns to personal relationships. Unfortunately, these issues can significantly impact work performance, making the idea of working at the time unbearable. In such cases, employees may choose to take some time off to deal with these issues, and there is nothing wrong with that.

2. Education or Training

Many times employees will take a break from their employment to pursue educational ventures. This decision can be driven by a desire to acquire new skills or return to school to secure a degree or certification. In these cases, it is essential to communicate the value of the education or training achieved and how it will benefit the company.

3. Pursuing Entrepreneurship

For some individuals, entrepreneurship is an opportunity that they can’t pass up. These individuals may take a break from their current job to pursue their ideas, create products, or launch a business. This decision shows initiative and the drive to achieve something great, as long as you can convince your employer of that.

B. Involuntary Reasons

1. layoffs or downsizing.

Companies are often forced to make tough decisions such as layoffs or downsizing when things are not going as planned. In such cases, it is not uncommon for employees to experience gaps in employment due to no fault of their own. If you have been affected by layoff or downsizing, it is imperative to communicate this information appropriately and be prepared to talk about the steps you have taken since the incident.

2. Health Issues or Disability

Health issues can arise unexpectedly and can have a significant impact on one’s ability to work. In such situations, employees may need to take extended medical leaves or focus on their health entirely, leading to a gap in employment. It is crucial to communicate how the medical issue has been addressed and what steps have been taken to mitigate its impact going forward.

3. Family or Caregiver Responsibilities

The current society’s demands can be overwhelming, and some individuals might need to take time off from their career to focus on family or caregiving responsibilities. This decision shows the individual’s dedication and ability to prioritize the family as long as it does not negatively impact the work-life balance. In such cases, it is essential to be transparent about the reason behind the gap in employment and the steps taken to manage the situation.

Gaps in employment can occur due to a variety of reasons, and it is crucial to identify the reason and communicate it in a constructive manner.

Importance of Addressing Gaps in Employment in a Resume and Cover Letter

When it comes to job searching, a gap in employment can be a daunting obstacle. It can create doubt in the mind of the recruiter or hiring manager and can lead to their hesitation or even refusal to consider a candidate. However, addressing gaps in employment can be a positive aspect if approached with honesty and transparency.

A. Presenting Resume Gaps in a Positive Light

The key to presenting employment gaps in a resume is to spin them in a positive light. Candidates should focus on the experiences and skills gained during their period of time off, and how it can be an asset to the position they are applying for. For example, if an individual took time off to care for a family member, they can highlight their caretaking skills, patience, and empathy.

Additionally, if the employment gap was used to take on new experiences, such as travel or volunteering, candidates should include those experiences on their resume. These experiences can showcase their adaptability, willingness to learn, and passion for different cultures and communities.

B. Impact of Gaps in Employment on the Job Search

Ignoring gaps in employment can hurt a candidate’s chances of being considered for a job. A recruiter or hiring manager might assume that the individual has lost valuable skills or is not committed to working. Therefore, it is essential to address and explain the gap in employment to avoid assumptions and negative connotations.

However, if a candidate presents the gap in the right way, it can also be an opportunity to showcase their character and work ethics. Employers appreciate honesty, transparency, and the ability to articulate a situation well.

C. Importance of Honesty and Transparency

Honesty and transparency are essential when addressing resume gaps. Candidates should not be tempted to lie or exaggerate skills and experiences during the gap periods to avoid hindering their chances of securing a job. Lying about dates or creating false experiences can damage their reputation and future opportunities.

Instead, candidates should explain the gap truthfully without excuses. If the reason for the gap was due to personal or health reasons, they should mention that in a professional and straightforward manner. Candidates can assure the employer that they are committed and ready to contribute their skills to a new role.

Addressing gaps in employment can be both challenging and rewarding. Candidates should focus on presenting the gap positively, showcasing their skills, and staying true to their experiences in their resumes and cover letters. Honesty and transparency are crucial, and addressing the gap can ultimately lead to a successful job search.

Strategies for addressing gaps in employment on a resume

When it comes to gaps in employment on a resume, it’s important to remember that there are strategies you can use to address them. By being proactive and addressing these gaps head-on, you can demonstrate to potential employers that you’re self-aware, responsible, and capable of facing challenges. Here are four strategies you can use to bridge gaps in your employment history:

A. Alternative resume formats

One strategy for addressing gaps in employment on a resume is to consider alternative resume formats. For example, you could use a functional resume format instead of a chronological one. With a functional resume, you can highlight your skills and experience without focusing on the dates of your previous employment. This can be particularly helpful if you have gaps in your work history that are difficult to explain.

B. Focused on Skills rather than dates

Another strategy is to focus on skills rather than dates. Instead of listing your employment history in chronological order, you could create a skills-based resume that highlights the skills and experiences you have that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. This approach can be especially effective if you’ve been out of work for a prolonged period of time, as it allows you to emphasize your strengths rather than your employment gaps.

C. Incorporating transferable skills and experiences

If you’ve had gaps in your employment due to a career change, you can incorporate transferable skills and experiences into your resume to demonstrate your versatility. For example, if you’re transitioning from a career in finance to a career in marketing, you could highlight the transferable skills you have, such as data analysis or project management. This can help to bridge the gap between your previous work experience and your new career goals.

D. Addressing the gap directly

Perhaps the most direct strategy for addressing gaps in employment on a resume is to address them directly. This could mean including a brief explanation of the gap in your cover letter or resume. For example, if you took time off work to care for a sick family member, you could briefly explain this in your resume or cover letter. By addressing the gap directly, you demonstrate honesty and transparency, which can help to build trust with potential employers.

There are several strategies you can use to address gaps in employment on a resume, including alternative resume formats, a focus on skills rather than dates, incorporating transferable skills and experiences, and addressing the gap directly. By being proactive and transparent about your work history, you can demonstrate your value as a potential employee and increase your chances of landing your next job.

Strategies for Addressing Gaps in Employment in a Cover Letter

If you are in the middle of job hunting with employment gaps, you may feel unsure about how to approach the issue with your potential employer. The key is to focus on strategies that showcase your strengths, positive attitude, and potential. Here are some effective strategies for addressing gaps in employment in a cover letter:

A. Highlighting Relevant Achievements and Experiences

When you write a cover letter, it’s important to highlight your relevant achievements and experiences to demonstrate your skills and value to the company. This way, the employer can see how you can immediately contribute to the success of their team. Focus on the skills and experiences you gained during your employment gaps, such as volunteer work, freelance jobs, or personal projects that showcase your talents and passion for the industry.

B. Addressing Gaps in a Positive and Confident Manner

Don’t let your employment gaps hold you back from potential employment opportunities. Instead, address the gaps in your cover letter in a positive and confident manner. Emphasize how you took advantage of the time and turned it into an opportunity for personal growth, professional development, or career exploration. Use positive language and phrases that convey your optimistic outlook and willingness to learn and grow.

C. Explaining the Gap and Why It’s No Longer an Issue

It’s important to explain the gap in your employment history and clarify why it’s no longer an issue. Be honest but concise when explaining what happened during the gap and how you resolved it. Focus on what you learned from the experience and how you’re now ready and excited to get back into the workforce. For example, you might have taken time off to care for a family member or experienced a health issue. You can explain how you handled the situation and what you learned from it.

D. Focusing on Future Potential

Finally, showcase your future potential by highlighting your transferable skills, relevant experiences, and enthusiasm for the role and company. Describe why you’re passionate about the industry and how you plan to excel at the job. Use positive language that conveys your initiative, creativity, and commitment to success.

By following these strategies, you can confidently address gaps in your employment history and focus on showcasing your strengths and potential to potential employers. Remember, an employment gap doesn’t define you, it can actually make you a more dynamic and valuable candidate.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Explaining Gaps

Explaining gaps in employment can be a tricky subject to navigate during a job interview. It’s important to be honest and transparent about your employment history, but it’s equally important to avoid common mistakes that can hurt your chances of landing the job. In this section, we’ll discuss the four common mistakes to avoid when explaining gaps in employment.

A. Apologizing or making excuses

One of the biggest mistakes candidates make is apologizing or making excuses for their employment gap. This can make you come across as defensive or unprofessional. Instead, acknowledge the gap and provide a brief explanation for it. Employers appreciate honesty and a positive attitude, so keep the focus on what you learned during your gap and how it connects to the job you’re applying for.

B. Over-explaining or providing too much detail

It’s important to strike a balance between providing enough information about your employment gap while also not oversharing. Going into too much detail can distract from your overall strengths and qualifications. Stick to the facts and keep your explanation brief and to the point. Remember, the goal is to show how you can add value to the company, not to explain every aspect of your employment gap.

C. Dwelling too much on the negative experiences or emotions

It’s natural to feel discouraged or frustrated about an employment gap, but dwelling on these negative experiences or emotions can be a turn-off to potential employers. Instead, focus on the positive aspects of your gap, such as how you took the time to acquire new skills, travel, or volunteer. Emphasize how this gap has allowed you to grow and become a stronger candidate.

D. Ignoring or downplaying the gap

Candidates may be tempted to ignore or downplay their employment gap altogether. However, this can raise red flags for employers and suggests that you’re not being honest about your previous work experience. It’s important to acknowledge the employment gap and provide a brief explanation for it. Show how you’ve used this time to grow and become a stronger candidate. The key is to stay positive and confident in your abilities.

Explaining employment gaps is an important part of the job search process. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can make a positive impression on potential employers and increase your chances of landing the job. Remember to stay positive, focus on your strengths, and be honest about your employment history.

Tips for Explaining Gaps in Job Interviews

If you have gaps in your employment history, it can be a daunting experience to explain them to potential employers. However, with some preparation and a positive attitude, you can turn this situation to your advantage. Here are some practical tips to help you navigate job interviews with ease:

A. Practice Explaining the Gap

Before going for a job interview, take some time to reflect on the reasons why you have gaps in your employment history. This may be due to personal circumstances, such as health issues, family commitments, or a career break. Whatever the reason, it is crucial to be prepared and articulate when asked about gaps. You should focus on explaining the situation in a concise and compelling manner that demonstrates your ability to overcome challenges and stay productive.

B. Remain Positive and Confident

During your job interview, be sure to maintain a positive attitude and exude confidence, even when discussing gaps. Avoid appearing apologetic or defensive, as this may give the impression that you are unreliable. Instead, highlight the skills and experiences you gained during this time, such as volunteering, studying, or freelancing. Emphasize how these activities have added value to your career and made you a more well-rounded candidate.

C. Emphasize Relevant Skills and Experiences

When discussing gaps in your employment, it is essential to focus on the skills and experiences that are relevant to the position you are applying for. This will demonstrate to potential employers that you have been productive during your time away from work and that you have kept your skills up to date. Also, it will help you to stand out from other candidates, who may not have such experiences.

D. Be Honest About the Gap

Honesty is always the best policy when explaining gaps in your employment history. You don’t want to mislead your potential employer, and you don’t want to create a situation where you may be caught out. Instead, own the gap and explain it as a natural part of your life journey. Be honest about what you have learned from the experience and how it has contributed to your personal and professional development.

Explaining gaps in employment history can be challenging, but it is not impossible. With the right approach and mindset, you can turn this situation into an opportunity to showcase your skills, experiences, and adaptability. Remember that being honest, positive, and confident is key when discussing gaps with potential employers.

Examples of Best Ways to Explain Gaps in Employment

When it comes to addressing gaps in your employment history, it’s important to be honest and transparent with your potential employer. Here are some examples of ways you can explain gaps in your work history:

Example 1: Personal Issues

If you had to take some time off due to personal issues, such as a family member’s illness or a divorce, it’s important to be honest about this. You can simply state that you took a break from work to deal with personal matters, but you are now ready to re-enter the workforce.

Example 2: Voluntary Pursuit of Education or Training

If you took time off to pursue additional education or training, this can be a great way to explain a gap in your employment history. You can highlight the skills and knowledge you gained during this time, and explain how they make you a stronger candidate for the job.

Example 3: Involuntary Reasons such as Health Issues

If you had to take time off due to an illness or injury, be honest about this. You can explain that you needed to take some time off to focus on your health, but you are now fully recovered and ready to return to work.

Example 4: Caregiving Responsibilities

If you took time off to care for a child or other family member, this can be a great way to explain a gap in your employment history. You can highlight the skills you gained during this time, such as time management and multitasking, and explain how they make you a stronger candidate for the job.

It’s important to be honest and transparent when explaining gaps in your employment history. By highlighting the skills and knowledge you gained during your time off, you can show potential employers that you are a valuable asset to their team.

Sample Cover Letter and Resume for Explaining Gaps in Employment

Many job seekers tend to struggle with explaining gaps in their employment history. However, using a strong cover letter and resume can help showcase your skills and confidence to potential employers. Here are some samples to help you get started:

A. Sample Resume Highlighting Skills in Place of Work History

[Full Name] [Address] | [Phone Number] | [Email Address]

Objective: [Insert your objective here]

• [List your key skills in bullet points here]
• [Use keywords relevant to the job you’re applying for]
• [Name of degree] from [University name], [Date]

Work Experience:

[If there are gaps in your employment history, focus on your achievements and key skills rather than the companies you worked for. Add bullet points describing your accomplishments and how they can add value to the role you’re applying for.]

B. Sample Cover Letter Addressing Gaps Positively and Emphasizing Skills

[Today’s Date]

[Employer’s Name and Address]

Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],

I am excited to apply for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. Although my work history indicates gaps in employment, these experiences have equipped me with valuable skills that can contribute to your organization.

During [Gap in Employment period], I took the opportunity to focus on personal and professional growth. I completed courses in [Specific course or skill] and volunteered at [Organization name] where I gained valuable experience in [specific skill or task]. These experiences enhanced my skills in [list skills relevant to the job] and I am now eager to apply them to contribute to your company.

My previous experience includes [Job Title] at [Previous company] where I was responsible for [Task 1, task 2, etc.]. Additionally, I led a team of [Number] and successfully completed major projects [Project name 1, project name 2, etc.]. I am confident that I can bring these skills and experiences to your organization to achieve continued success.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to discussing how my skills can contribute to your team.

Strategies for Addressing Gaps in Employment During the Application Process

Nowadays, most job applications are done online. Although this method is convenient, it can also pose a challenge to candidates with gaps in employment history because online applications often require specific dates and periods of employment.

Here are some strategies for navigating online employment applications if you have gaps in employment:

1. Use the cover letter

The cover letter provides an opportunity for you to explain any gaps in your resume. Be honest about your situation and use this space to highlight your skills and experiences that are relevant to the job posting.

2. Customize your resume

Tailor your resume to the specific job application. Focus on the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the position, rather than your chronological employment history. You can also consider using a functional resume format, which highlights your skills and experiences, rather than your job history.

3. Include relevant experience

If you engaged in volunteer work, freelance jobs or other activities during your employment gap, include them in your job application. This experience can show that you remained active and committed to developing your skills during the gap.

4. Address the gap directly

If your gap in employment could not be explained in your cover letter or resume, consider addressing it head-on in your job application. Explain the situation, but focus on the positive steps you have taken to overcome the situation.

5. Be positive

Always remain optimistic about your chances of getting hired. Don’t let a gap in employment history define you or limit your job prospects. Emphasize your skills, experiences and accomplishments, and show how they are applicable to the job posting.

By utilizing these strategies, you can increase your chances of success in online job applications, despite any gaps in your employment history. However, it is important to remember that honesty and transparency play a crucial role in building trust with potential employers. So, be truthful about your work history and acknowledge any gaps, but also make sure to demonstrate your capabilities and suitability for the job.

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How to Address Employment Gaps on Your Resume and Cover Letter

The Gaps to Focus On

Short-term and volunteer work, higher education opportunities, personal issues and milestones, what about the cover letter.

Your resume should focus on your relevant full-time work and outline your recent experience. But if those two things don’t overlap completely, it can produce employment gaps. Breaks in employment are often a red flag for hiring managers but don’t be discouraged. There are many credible reasons for not having worked full-time and just as many viable ways to cite them on your job search documents.

When drafting your resume, you should include your months of employment. It provides a clear view of your work history and is often better from an ATS standpoint. You don’t need to worry about explaining any employment gaps that only lasted a few months. Hiring managers understand that there are plenty of instances where a person might have lost their job unexpectedly through no fault of their own (especially in the past couple of years). Only when a gap lasts at least the better part of a year should you start thinking about how to address it on your resume.

Perhaps you kept busy during your break in employment by working as a consultant, freelancer, or volunteer. Feel free to develop these engagements no differently than your regular job descriptions on your resume.

Start with the basic details: position title (specifying the level of commitment, such as “part-time”), organization, location, and start and end dates. Then flesh out each description to the extent it has relevance to your target job. The best way to do this is first to brainstorm things you’re generally proud of about the experience, then review each item closely and remove anything that doesn’t speak to your current goals.

For example, if your participation in Big Brothers, Big Sisters gave you a tremendous mentoring experience, but you don’t wish to mentor others in your next job, take out any brainstorming points in that area of the work you did. Also, keep in mind that if you include any volunteering, you’ll need to update your experience section heading from “Professional Experience” or “Work Experience” to something more general like “Relevant Experience” or “Experience Highlights.”

If you took time off to get an advanced degree, note that in your resume’s Experience section. Just jot down the dates associated, then a brief line about the experience, for example:

2017 to 2019: Focused on completing an MBA degree

If you have relevant highlights from your degree, don’t include them here. There’s no need to flesh out a full description. Instead, keep those details in your Education section.

Perhaps your employment gap is due to personal reasons, such as travel, starting a family, caring for a sick relative, or overcoming an injury or illness of your own. Know that you’re not required to include personal information on your resume if you don’t feel comfortable doing so. But if you are comfortable, here are a few examples:

• 2014 to December 2016: Traveled to Italy and Germany
• Dedicated time to raising three boys
• Full-time mother focused on starting a family
• Full-time caregiver for an ailing parent
• Time away to treat and fully recover from an acute illness

To develop the description further, follow the same two-step process outlined above to arrive at your most relevant highlights. You may be surprised at how strong the resulting points are and how they add value to your resume. Often, personal experiences like these allow you to build outstanding:

• Cultural or language literacy
• Perseverance
• Prioritization skills
• Adaptability
• Calm in urgent situations
• Short- and long-term planning skills

Using your personal experiences to showcase these skills, you can turn a liability into an asset and add a new dimension to your overall resume.

Only take up the issue of an employment gap on your cover letter if it’s ongoing and you’re trying to return to the workforce. In these cases, mention the gap toward the end of your letter, preferably as part of the closing. This allows you to keep the overall focus of your letter on your relevant qualifications and can actually make an elegant conclusion to your letter by emphasizing your excitement about the opportunity. An example:

My last position was eliminated in May 2020 as a result of Covid-related layoffs. Since that time, I’ve taken the opportunity to focus on raising my two sons and volunteering for a local nonprofit. I’m now thrilled at the chance to return to the workforce as your marketing manager.

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Jacob Meade is a resume writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience. His writing method centers on understanding and then expressing each person’s unique work history and strengths toward their career goal. Jacob has enjoyed working with jobseekers of all ages and career levels, finding that a clear and focused resume can help people from any walk of life. He is an Academy Certified Resume Writer (ACRW) with the Resume Writing Academy, and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches.

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8 Examples: Confidently Explain Employment Gaps on Your Resume

By Status.net Editorial Team on November 9, 2023 — 12 minutes to read

• Understanding Employment Gaps Part 1
• Types of Employment Gaps Part 2
• Best Practices for Explaining Gaps in Employment Part 3
• How to Explain Short Term Gaps Part 4
• How to Explain Long Term Gaps Part 5
• Explaining Gaps Due to Personal Reasons Part 6
• Addressing Gaps Due to Job Searching Part 7
• How to Address Employment Gaps due to COVID-19 Part 8
• Dealing with Gaps due to Freelance or Contract Work Part 9
• Explaining Gaps Due to Sabbatical Part 10

Part 1 Understanding Employment Gaps

Employment gaps can happen for various reasons, such as personal issues, health problems, or unexpected layoffs. It’s essential to know that gaps in your career history aren’t necessarily negative. When writing your resume, explaining these gaps in a positive and honest way can help potential employers understand your situation better.

• One way to address employment gaps is by highlighting your experiences and achievements during those periods. For instance, if you went back to school, mention the degree or certification you earned. Similarly, if you volunteered during your time off, emphasize the skills you developed in that role.
• Another tactic is to use a functional or skill-based resume format instead of the traditional chronological one. In this approach, you focus on your skills and experiences rather than listing your work history chronologically. By doing so, you can draw attention to your abilities and minimize the spotlight on your employment gaps.
• When listing dates on your resume, consider using only the years and not the months. This strategy makes transitions between jobs appear smoother and can help to draw less attention to gaps. Besides, some career experts believe that employers are more concerned with your skills and accomplishments than your employment timeline.

In your cover letter, you can address longer gaps proactively by providing context and expressing your enthusiasm for returning to the workforce. Remember to emphasize your relevant skills and the ways you’ve stayed up to date in your industry.

During my time off, I decided to pursue my passion for graphic design. I took online courses, honed my skills, and even completed several freelance projects. This experience not only allowed me to explore a new field but also taught me valuable time-management and client-communication techniques. I’m eager to bring these newfound skills and my renewed motivation to a position at your company.

Part 2 Types of Employment Gaps

Recognizing the type of employment gap you have is the first step in addressing it effectively. Let’s take a look at some common types of gaps in your work history:

1. Layoffs or downsizing: If you were let go due to company-wide layoffs or downsizing, this is a common situation that hiring managers will understand. Be ready to explain the circumstances in a concise manner.

2. Personal choice: Choosing to take a break to fulfill a personal goal, like traveling, pursuing a hobby, or focusing on family can be explained in a positive way. Be sure to highlight any skills or experiences you gained during this time.

3. Health issues: If you had to take time off due to an illness or medical issue, make sure to explain your recovery and eventual readiness to return to work. There’s no need to disclose private medical information, but assuring the employer that you’re now in good health is key.

4. Going back to school: Showing an investment in your education and development is generally seen as a positive move. Just emphasize how the new knowledge and skills you gained will benefit your future employer.

5. Freelance or contract work: If you’ve been working on a project-by-project basis, your resume may appear to have gaps. Make sure to clarify that you were still active in the job market, and if possible, list notable projects to demonstrate your professional experience.

Part 3 Best Practices for Explaining Gaps in Employment

Focus on the positive.

When addressing gaps in your resume, frame your explanation around your strengths and acquired skills. Highlight any relevant experiences and achievements during your time off, like volunteering, freelance work, or professional development courses. Maintain a confident and positive outlook throughout your explanation, keeping the focus on your professional growth.

Honesty is the Best Policy

Be straightforward and honest when explaining your employment gap. You don’t need to provide every single detail, but giving a clear and concise reason is better than evasion. Employers appreciate sincerity, so avoid creating fictional stories or excuses. Simple explanations such as taking care of a family member, personal health, or traveling the world can suffice.

Show You’ve Been Productive

Demonstrate how you’ve stayed productive during your time away from work. Examples could include learning new skills, earning a certification, or joining a professional organization. Prove that you’ve used your time productively and are now ready to apply your enhanced skillset in the workforce.

Tailor Your Explanation

Consider the specific job you’re applying for and tailor your gap explanation accordingly. Align the skills or experiences you gained during your time off with the requirements of the job position. This demonstrates to the employer that even in your absence, you’ve managed to stay relevant and valuable to the industry.

Part 4 How to Explain Short Term Gaps

Skill building during short-term gaps.

When you have short-term gaps in your employment history, it’s helpful to highlight any skills you’ve gained or improved during that time. Employers appreciate candidates who take the initiative to stay productive even when not employed. Include any online courses, certifications, or self-learning projects you’ve completed during the period.

For example, if you had a 3-month gap and completed a coding bootcamp, mention this in your resume or cover letter. Briefly describe how the newly acquired skill can be valuable to the company, demonstrating that you have put your time to good use and are a functional asset.

Example of Explaining Short-Term Gaps

How to explain a short-term gap in your employment history in the cover letter of your job application:

“Between May and August 2022, I found myself between jobs in the graphic design field. However, I took advantage of this time to further develop my skills and stay updated with the industry’s latest trends. I completed an online course on UX/UI design, and I’m excited to bring these newly acquired skills to your team. This experience has expanded my expertise and can greatly enhance my contributions as a graphic designer.”

By addressing the gap in a positive and honest manner, you show potential employers your ability to adapt, learn, and grow even when facing challenges in your career path.

Part 5 How to Explain Long Term Gaps

Mention relevant activities during long-term gaps.

When addressing long-term gaps in your resume, focus on highlighting any relevant activities you participated in during that period. These might include freelance projects, volunteering, attending workshops or conferences, or taking online courses. By showcasing these efforts, you demonstrate to potential employers that you stayed active and continued to develop your skills despite the gap.

For example, if you took a two-year break to raise a child but completed an online course in project management, you can mention this in your resume or cover letter. This way, you’re emphasizing the transferable skills you acquired during your time off, making your gap less of a concern for recruiters.

Example of Explaining Long-Term Gaps

“From 2019-2021, I stepped away from the workforce to focus on my family. During this time, I was dedicated to staying current in my industry and strengthening my skills. I completed an online course in project management and volunteered at a local nonprofit, where I managed their social media accounts. These experiences have honed my ability to multitask and communicate effectively, and I’m excited to apply these skills in my next role.”

Part 6 Explaining Gaps Due to Personal Reasons

Coping with health issues.

If you’ve taken time off to deal with health issues, it’s important to be honest but also tactful when addressing this on your resume. You don’t need to reveal specific details about your medical condition. Instead, you can simply state that you took time off for personal health reasons and focus on the skills, qualifications, and accomplishments you’ve achieved during your career.

Raising a Family

When explaining a gap in your resume due to raising a family, be straightforward, but also highlight any relevant skills or experiences you gained during this time. Emphasize transferable skills, such as time management, organization, and problem-solving, that would be valuable in the workplace. Mention any volunteer work or part-time jobs you had while caring for your family.

Example of Explaining Personal Gaps

Let’s say you took a two-year break to raise your child. On your resume or cover letter, you could write something like:

“From 2020-2022, I took a hiatus from my professional career to focus on raising my child. During this time, I honed my skills in time management, multitasking, and problem-solving, and volunteered as a committee member for my local parent-teacher association. I’m now eager to return to the workforce and utilize these skills in a professional environment.”

Part 7 Addressing Gaps Due to Job Searching

If your employment gap was due to a job search, mention it briefly but confidently in your cover letter.

You can write something along the lines of, “I took time off to explore new opportunities and ensure that my next role would be a good fit for my skillset and career goals.”

Focus on the positive aspects of your job search. Even if you didn’t have a full-time job during the gap, you likely gained valuable skills and experiences. Highlight volunteer work, freelance projects, or courses you took during your job search. These activities can demonstrate your commitment to self-improvement while reinforcing that you remained active and engaged during your time off.

Part 8 How to Address Employment Gaps due to COVID-19

COVID-19 has caused unprecedented disruptions in many industries, leading to substantial employment gaps for many workers. To address this, you can briefly mention the pandemic as the reason for the gap by including a note on your resume or discussing it in your cover letter. Employers are usually understanding of circumstances caused by the pandemic.

Due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a six month gap in my employment history between March 2020 and September 2020. As many businesses were required to shut down or drastically reduce operations during this time, I was temporarily laid off from my role as an administrative assistant. I have stayed active by volunteering in my community and pursuing online courses to develop new skills.

Part 9 Dealing with Gaps due to Freelance or Contract Work

Presenting freelance work.

When you have gaps in your employment history because of freelance or contract work, don’t worry! You can include it on your resume in a way that showcases your skills and experience. You can create a section named “Freelance and Contract Work” on your resume. List the projects you have worked on, the clients you have worked for, and your achievements in these assignments. This way, you demonstrate your relevant skills and show that you have been actively working during those gaps.

Example of Explaining Freelance Gaps

Freelance and Contract Work (2017-2019)

Web Designer / Developer

• Worked with five clients to design and develop websites, resulting in increased web traffic and improved user experience.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to provide customized web solutions for small and medium-sized businesses.
• Utilized HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create responsive websites that adapt to different devices and browsers.

In this example, you are emphasizing the skills you gained during your freelance work and presenting them as valuable experiences. Make sure to include any significant accomplishments or projects you completed during this time, so employers can see that you’re a flexible and adaptable professional.

Part 10 Explaining Gaps Due to Sabbatical

Taking a sabbatical can actually be a positive aspect in your professional life. When explaining this gap on your resume, focus on the skills and knowledge you gained during your time off. Emphasize how these experiences contribute to your growth as a professional and can benefit future employers. For instance, if you traveled, learned a new language, or volunteered, mention how such experiences enhanced your creativity, adaptability, or leadership abilities. Furthermore, be honest about your reasons for taking a sabbatical, as transparency will make it easier for potential employers to appreciate your journey.

Example of Explaining Sabbatical Gaps

During my time away from the workforce, I took a six-month sabbatical to explore new cultures and learn a new language. This enriching experience not only allowed me to gain fluency in Spanish but also provided me with valuable insights into different work environments and business practices. With this knowledge, I am confident that I can bring fresh perspectives and increased adaptability to the team at (Company Name).

Remember to tailor your explanation to the specific job you’re applying for and how your sabbatical experiences relate to the role. This way, you can effectively turn your employment gap into a strong selling point.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are common reasons for employment gaps.

There are various reasons people may have employment gaps in their career. Some common reasons include layoffs or company downsizing, personal health issues, family caregiving responsibilities, time off for personal growth or travel, and furthering education or professional development.

What’s a good way to explain a career break for parenting?

Many people take career breaks for parenting, and it’s perfectly acceptable to explain this in your resume or cover letter. Be honest about your reasons and focus on the skills and experiences you gained during this time, such as time management, multitasking, and problem-solving, which can translate well to your professional life.

Is a short gap in employment considered negative?

A short gap of few months is typically not considered negative by most employers. Job search and transition periods are expected. However, if you have several short gaps, focus on demonstrating consistency in your career and highlighting your skills, experiences, and achievements to minimize any potential concerns.

How can you use a cover letter to address employment gaps?

A cover letter provides an opportunity to address your employment gaps by offering context and explaining the reasons behind those gaps. Briefly discuss the reason for the gap, mention any skills or experiences you gained during that time, and express your enthusiasm for getting back into the workforce. Showcasing your commitment and eagerness to contribute can help alleviate any concerns an employer may have.

Which resume format works best for covering employment gaps?

A functional resume format is often recommended for those with employment gaps, as it emphasizes skills and accomplishments, rather than listing work experience chronologically. Group your skills based on the type of work you’re applying for and include any relevant experiences or projects that showcase those abilities. This format can help shift the focus away from the employment gaps and towards your qualifications and value as a candidate.

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How to Address Employment Gaps in Your Cover Letter

By: Sean Fitzpatrick

Use your cover letter to explain the employment gaps in your work history and allay any concerns your potential employers may have about your readiness for the job.

If you’ve been in the workforce for a while, chances are you’ve probably experienced at least one employment gap in your work history. Legitimate events may have kept you out of the workforce for some time. You may have been laid off, experienced an illness, taken care of a family member, traveled, or changed careers.

If you have gaps in your employment history, your potential employers might have some questions about these gaps. Their skepticism is reasonable. Most employers would rather avoid candidates who seem to be “job hoppers” or who have a history of job loss due to poor performance. If you’ve spent some time on the sidelines, they’ll want to know why.

Use your cover letter to address the employment gaps that may show up in your resume. Here’s how.

Express your employment dates in years.

In your “work experience” section of your resume, list the start and end years only, not the months or days. This will spark fewer concerns that you’ll need to explain away.

Mention non-family-related gaps directly.

In your cover letter, directly address that gaps that you’re comfortable discussing. For example, if you left your job to start a business, but it never got off the ground, share this proudly. A bold move like this showcases your willingness to take risks and try new things. The same applies to overseas volunteering, artistic endeavors, and other career side-trips that might showcase your strengths as an employee.

Keep family-related gaps to yourself.

While you may openly address your professional gaps in employment, it’s best to keep your personal gaps to yourself. For example, if you left the workforce to raise your children, you don’t have to share this with anyone. In fact, the law protects you from employers who ask during an interview. In cases such as these, keep the conversation focused on your qualifications and skill sets.

Highlight your mid-life career shifts.

If your employment gaps took place when you decided to switch career paths, build your cover letter around this narrative. Explain the reasons behind your decision. Outline the details of your journey from one field to the next. If your new career involved any kind of study or training that took the place of full-time work, state this clearly. Again, be proud of the risks you’ve taken and the accomplishments you achieved by leaving the workplace for a while.

If you really were fired, be careful.

If you did leave the workforce for a while due to performance or unreliability, tread carefully. In this case, it’s best to refrain from mentioning your employment gap in your letter (and in your interview) until you’re directly asked about it. When that happens, be ready to shed a positive, diplomatic light on the incident and explain what you learned during the process.

For more on how to explain your work history to potential employers, rely on the tools and guidelines from LiveCareer .

By Randall S. Hansen

We embrace technology, think beyond the norm, fearlessly try new things, and live and breathe to make a difference in others’ lives.

Fortune favors the BOLD.

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Employment Gap on a Resume - 13 Simple Ways to Explain It

Employment gaps are not uncommon, yet they’re quite scary. Mainly, that’s because recruiters assume the worst when they see them on a resume. 

In most cases, however, employment gaps are nothing to be scared of. There can be many justifiable reasons why someone has an employment gap, from going back to school and deciding to travel to taking time and caring for their growing children. 

So what we’re getting to here is this: employment gaps are not a big deal, as long as you know how to explain them well on your resume

To learn how to explain an employment gap on a resume, we’ve put together this guide for you. Here’s what we’ll cover:

13 Best Ways to Explain Employment Gaps

• Good Reasons for an Employment Gap

Sample Resume with Employment Gap

And more! So let’s dive right in! 

During your job hunt , you’ll have three separate chances to explain an employment gap:

• On your resume
• On your cover letter
• During your interview

To best convey the employment gap (and reasons behind it), you’ll need to touch on it in all 3. So below, we’ll explain the best way to explain an employment gap on your resume, cover letter, and during an interview:

6 Ways to Explain an Employment Gap on Your Resume

#1. be honest .

Your resume is the first thing that recruiters check, so it’s crucial that you’re honest! 

After all, you don’t want to omit a two-year-long employment gap from your resume, for example, only to have it be revealed during your interview. 

As such, it’s super important that you’re honest about your employment history - or lack thereof - right there on your resume. 

What’s important here is to understand that potential employers will find out about your employment gap - especially if it was a lengthy or recent one. As such, trying to hide it will only damage your application and give recruiters even more reason to believe you have something to hide. 

And, if you’re feeling anxious about it, remember that recruiters are also humans and will probably be understanding if you are straightforward about your employment gap - and about what caused it! 

#2. Remove the Employment Gap (If It’s Outdated)

Here’s some good news: if your employment gap is old, you can safely omit it from your resume entirely.

Say, for example, your employment gap is from 10 years ago. Chances are - especially if you’re a seasoned professional - that you won’t even be including jobs from 10 years ago on your resume. After all, you want your resume to be as relevant as possible (and stay within the recommended 1-page resume length). 

As such, it’s totally OK to omit employment gaps that stretch long before your recent employment history (or that are quite short, like 6-month-old employment gaps while you were between jobs). 

#3. Explain the Gap

When it comes to resumes, simply writing down the dates of your employment gap won’t cut it - it would only leave things open to recruiters’ interpretation. 

Take the following example:

Work Experience

Digital Marketer  Airfield Baumax  02/2012 - 04/2015

Marketing Assistant  Walmart 05/2007 - 07/2009 

The only thing that this candidate makes clear to recruiters is that he was not working for a 3-year period. Apart from that, recruiters have no way of knowing whether the employment gap was due to a valid reason or because the candidate decided to be a couch potato for some years.

This is why it’s better to actually write out the exact reason for the employment gap in-between your work experience entries.

Here’s an example that does it right:

07/2009 - 01/2012

From September 2009 to January 2012, I backpacked through Europe and East Asia. This had long been a goal of mine to achieve before turning 30.

#4. Take Advantage of a Different Resume Layout

If your employment gap is longer than just a few short months, you could benefit from using a different resume layout altogether. 

For example, the functional resume format and the combination format put more emphasis on your skills and competencies rather than on your work experience, which is a great way to shift focus from your employment gap. 

That said, taking advantage of a different resume layout does not mean you should omit the employment gap from your resume altogether . Lying is never the right way to go here, and will always end badly for you (even if you manage to get the job).

#5. Use Your Time Away Effectively 

If you’re suddenly in between jobs and are worried about how this will reflect on your future job applications, get proactive! 

Instead of simply explaining your future employment gap as a “career break” or “job searching,” start a personal project and create something more valuable to put on your resume. 

For instance, you can join one or more online courses related to your profession while you’re on a break from work, or start that project you always wanted to work on but never had the chance to! 

That way, you’ll have much more to talk about than simply stating you were looking for jobs or taking a self-discovery break and you’ll be effectively showing recruiters that you’re constantly growing - even outside the office!

#6.  Show That You Never Stopped Learning 

Highlighting your skills and acquired knowledge is also a great way to cover past employment gaps. Sure, you might’ve not been working, but you could’ve still been working on developing yourself as a professional or individual.

You could, for example, mention something like this on your resume to address your employment gap:

06/2012 - 09/2013

Took a year off my career to focus on personal and professional development. Over the duration of the year, I managed to:

• Start my own marketing blog.
• Read 20+ books about digital marketing.
• Attended 5+ networking events.

3 Ways to Explain Employment Gaps in Cover Letters

Want to go more in-depth into your employment gap? Your cover letter is your chance to do so. 

Unlike your resume, which barely leaves you 2-3 sentences worth of space to explain yourself, you can be way more comprehensive in your cover letter . 

Specifically, you can use the body of your cover letter to give more details about your employment gap.

Here are the best ways to do it:

• Give a valid explanation. The whole point of mentioning your employment gap on your cover letter is to justify it the best way you can. For example, if you had an accident, writing “took 1 year off work because of injury” won’t be as convincing as writing “took 1 year off work after a car accident that required me to do intense physiotherapy sessions to fully recover.” 
• Highlight new skills . Additionally, it’s super important to highlight any new skills acquired during your time off. The good thing about the cover letter is that you have a better chance of explaining the skills and what motivated you to acquire them (e.g. “due to organizational changes, I was laid off from my previous job. However, I used the time it took me to find a new job to catch up on industry-related trends and readings, get online certifications, and network with professionals in the field.”) 
• Don’t overshare. Last but not least, it’s important to know that just because you have more space on your cover letter it doesn’t mean you should overshare the details of your employment gap. If, for instance, you took a one-year break to deal with burnout , you don’t have to give too many details about how that went. So, instead of writing, “took a year off to recuperate from burnout, during which time I consulted 3 different therapists and several support groups,” you can just write “took one year off work to deal with work-related burnout and re-asses my professional goals.” If you think it’s important to share more information, talk about how you grew professionally not about what you went through personally. 

4 Ways to Explain Employment Gaps in Interviews 

If your resume and cover letter make a good impression, chances are you’ll be called for an interview. And, even if you have already explained your employment gap, there’s nothing keeping recruiters from asking you again about it. 

Here’s what you can do to address an employment gap during your interview effectively:

• Rehearse in advance. Your best bet is assuming that you will be asked about your employment gap. That way, you can take the time to prep your answer in advance and won’t be taken back if recruiters actually ask the questions during the interview . 
• DON’T badmouth your former employer. If your employment gap is due to getting fired, bashing your former employer won’t help you get a new position - if anything, it might make you look immature. Instead, try to highlight all the steps you took to bounce back from getting fired and show recruiters why you’re the ideal candidate for this position.
• Focus on what you did right. Now, if you lost your job unjustly (or due to reasons outside of your control), the way to make a great impression is to focus on how you were a stellar employee before the employment gap! That way, you can shift recruiters’ attention to your strengths, instead of simply telling them you lost your job and there wasn’t much you could do about it.
• Be confident. Sometimes, how you say things is just as important as what you say. If recruiters ask that you elaborate on your employment gap and you suddenly get super nervous about it, you’ll probably raise some serious red flags. So, make sure to polish your communication skills in advance and start your interview with a show of confidence. 

Here is an example of how you can address your employment gap during an interview:

Unfortunately, I lost my job due to cuts within the company. During the time I was looking for jobs, I took online courses to hone my skills, stayed updated with all industry trends and developments, and focused on my mental wellbeing. I am now in perfect shape to put all I learned into practice throughout my new endeavors. 

7 Good Reasons For an Employment Gap

There can be countless reasons behind an employment gap and, as long as it’s not related to something like, say, jail time, it shouldn’t hinder your chances of getting employed.

That said, here are some great examples of good reasons for an employment gap:

• Family reasons. Family is super important and most recruiters are guaranteed to be understanding if your employment gap is due to family-related issues. What’s important here is to show that whatever family reason you had for taking time off work, it’s over now (e.g. if you took time off to raise your kids, make a point explaining they’re all grown up and off to school now).
• Self-discovery. Did you take some time off work to redefine your life path and career choices? That’s totally OK - as long as you can convince recruiters that you now have your answers and won’t be leaving this job again after a year or two.
• Illness. Any illness you may have suffered that’s hindered you from working is a totally legitimate reason to explain your employment gap. Just make sure to mention you’re recovered and fully able to work.
• Injury. Just like with illnesses, injuries that render you incapable of work are perfectly fine reasons to explain an employment gap, so mention them without hesitation.
• Failed business or initiative. You may be hesitant to mention a failed startup or business initiative as the reason behind your employment gap, but there’s no reason to! If anything, it shows you have initiative and aren’t scared to act on it. So, as long as you show recruiters how you bounced back, you shouldn’t hide this valid reason.
• Burnout. The World Health Organization defines burnout as an occupational phenomenon that can take a serious toll on someone’s physical and mental health. As such, don’t hesitate to tell recruiters that you took some time off to improve your well-being after experiencing burnout in the workplace .
• Education. No one minds an employee who’s always looking to expand their knowledge, so if you took a break from work to get another degree, go ahead and mention that on your resume.

7 Other Resume Resources

Building a strong resume is hard enough without having to explain an employment gap. Struggling with other aspects of building a resume? Check out some of our top resources: 

• How to Write a Resume . The ULTIMATE beginner’s guide on how to make a resume in 2024. Includes tops of tips, resume examples, and more.
• Free Resume Templates . Want to avoid the hassle of formatting your resume from scratch? Just pick one of our 8 free resume templates and get started with your resume within minutes.
• Career Change Resume . Is your employment gap due to a career change? Learn how to write an awesome career change resume with these 9+ examples.
• What to Put on a Resume . Here are the most important sections to put on your resume and win the job.
• Resume Tips and Tricks . This article covers every single practical resume tip you’ll ever need to create a compelling CV.
• Essential Resume Skills . Want to stand out from other applicants? You’ll need to include the right skills on your resume. This article covers the most in-demand skills in 2024.
• Resume Examples . Struggling to write a resume for your field? This article covers resume examples for almost all popular roles in 2024, including jobs in IT, marketing, healthcare, and more.

FAQ on Employment Gaps 

Do you still have some questions on everything employment gap-related? Find your answers below!

#1. How long is too long of an employment gap?

Any employment gap on your resume that you can’t explain to recruiters can cast a shadow on your job application. 

That said, shorter periods of employment gaps (e.g. time between jobs, illness or injury recovery, etc.) are much more acceptable than, say, 3-year-long gaps in your recent work history. 

So, while there is no specific time limit for a super long employment gap, the longer it is, the harder it will be for recruiters to ignore it.

#2. Is an employment gap bad?

That entirely depends on the reason behind your employment gap. 

If your employment gap is due to illness, failed business, family emergency, and the like, then an employment gap is definitely not bad! All you need to do is be honest with the recruiters and prove that you’re a trustworthy employee. 

That said if your employment gap comes from less socially acceptable reasons, like serving time for a crime or being away in rehab, your employment gap will be more difficult to explain - and, in turn, can be more harmful to your job application.

#3. How do you explain a gap in employment due to being a stay-at-home parent?

Taking time off work to be a stay-at-home parent falls under family-related reasons for an employment gap. 

The best way to explain such an employment gap is to write down the exact period you were off, titling it as a “planned career break.” Underneath, you can include one or two sentences on why you took it (e.g. took three years off work to care for my growing children, who are now in elementary school). 

On top of that, you can also mention any personal projects or other work-related experiences you had over that period. For example, if you took some online classes or started a personal project, that’s a great way to inform recruiters that you weren’t completely idle during your employment gap.

#4. How do you explain a gap in employment due to COVID-19?

The COVID-19 pandemic cost 114 million people to lose their jobs over 2020. So, if you were infected and quarantined due to COVID-19 (or if you were unlucky and had more severe health issues due to the virus), then note that on your resume as an “illness-related employment gap” or simply due to COVID-19.  

In one or two sentences, you can explain you had to take a break from work due to COVID-19 and that you’re now fully recovered and ready to work again.

Similarly, if you were working for a business that got impacted due to COVID-19 (such as an airline company) you can, in one sentence, mention you were laid off due to the impact of the pandemic and mention what you did in the meanwhile to find a job or hone your skills. 

#5. Why do employers not like gaps in employment?

Employers don’t like gaps in employment when said gaps are due to criminality, abuse or addiction, or simple laziness. In such a case, employers assume you’re not a reliable employee and that you may demonstrate the same patterns of behavior while working for them.

On the other hand, if there is a reasonable explanation for your employment gap, employers won’t think twice about hiring you, as long as you’re a good fit for the job.

Key Takeaways 

And that’s a wrap! By now, you should know everything about employment gaps and how to tackle them so they don’t hurt your job application.

Before you go, here are the main points covered in this article:

• There are three places where you can explain an employment gap: on your resume, cover letter, and during your job interview. 
• To explain an employment gap on a resume, be honest, elaborate on the gap, show that you never stop learning, or use a different resume layout to remove the gap altogether. 
• Explain an employment gap on your cover letter by highlighting new skills and offering a valid explanation as to why you took it. 
• If you have to explain your employment gap during your interview, rehearse in advance, show confidence, and don’t badmouth your former employer. 
• Some valid reasons for an employment gap are family reasons, illnesses, and injuries, taking time to discover yourself or pursue your education, and even a failed business.

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How to Fill in Employment Gaps on Resume & Cover Letter

A flawless resume is every professional’s dream. A fulfilling and laurel-filled stint at a reputed company followed by a meteoric rise at another organization… who doesn’t want their resume to include such glories to make them the most eligible candidate for that next job opening? However, it is equally true that most of us, at some point in our careers, end up taking a break… a gap in employment if you will. The reason could be anything: need for some personal time, caring for a sick family member, having and raising children, or simply wanting to travel the world. The question is, how does one explain gaps in employment or periods of unemployment on a resume?

Explaining Gaps in Employment

When you are applying for a new job, you are bound to mention past work experience in your resume and cover letter. While you are at it these gaps in employment will be hard to gloss over. And gloss over you mustn’t. The best approach to explaining gaps in employment in a resume is by being honest about it.

• For starters, you could gear up by providing some well-structured explanations for that employment gap. Briefly explain why you were unemployed during that period of time and emphasize how this time off work helped you grow as an individual and what skills you got to hone apart from some practical experience you might have garnered.
• Don’t shy away from revealing the real reason why you’d taken that break. Most recruiters appreciate honesty; especially given the number of candidates who try to beat around the bush and glorify their time off work. If you took a couple of years off to raise your kids or look after an ailing parent let it be known. If you were traveling, gaining valuable life experiences, more power to you. If you were freelancing or trying your hand at something new, let your recruiting manager know; it is a sign of your proactive nature. If you were studying or adding certifications to your cartel of achievements, even better.
• Whatever the reason for your gap in employment, an open and honest approach without going into too much detail is your best bet. You don’t have to be apologetic for taking the time off. Don’t forget to highlight the new skills you have added and the valuable lessons you learned during your time off work.
• Ensure you explain the situation clearly, but do not give away a tonne of personal information. The recruiter is really not looking to go into the nitty-gritty of it. Facts will suffice. While you are at it, assure your prospective employer that you aren’t going to take off again; they do not have to worry about losing an employee to flights of fancy. You should be ready to work for them… for the long haul.

Reasons for Employment Gaps – Examples

As mentioned earlier, the reasons for the gap in one’s employment history could be many. Here are a few that hiring managers find acceptable.

• Raising your children.
• Caring for an ailing family member.
• Pressing health issues, or a surgery followed by a long recovery period.
• Going back to school for higher education or expanding your knowledge with certifications and professional training.
• Attempting to launch your own business or exploring a career as a freelancer or consultant.
• Taking time off to travel and explore the world while broadening your perspective.
• Being laid off when your previous company was downsizing. Utilizing the time to find yourself another job that you were the right fit for.

Tips for Explaining Gaps in Employment on a Resume

While honesty is the best approach when it comes to explaining gaps in employment when applying for a new job, there are ways to make them less glaring on your resume. The key is to craft a resume that takes the focus off the gap years and instead turns the light on your achievements and impressive skillsets.

• Don’t go into Details : While you do owe a potential employer honesty when it comes to divulging facts about your professional past, you do not owe them minute details. If your employment gap was to care for a sick relative, you do not need to get into the details of who it was and what the ailment was. Similarly, if you had taken time off to recuperate from an ailment yourself or work on your mental health, the details are yours and yours alone.
• Change the Format : The reverse chronological way of resume writing is one of the most common formats chosen by job seekers. You could instead opt for a format that makes the gaps in your employment less visible. Use a functional format instead if you are more comfortable with it. This format highlights skills and abilities when compared to the chronological format. Here you can list your gap year under the Experience section. Since the end objective is to get a recruiter to focus on your skill sets, this might not be such a bad idea.
• Camouflage the Gap with Dates : Oftentimes candidates, in a bid to provide as much information as possible, tend to include dates and months in their resume when listing their past jobs. You could instead only mention the years of employment in a bid to make a gap less obvious. For instance, stick to 2010-2015 and 2015 to present, to take the attention away from an employment gap.
• Experience Matters : Although you might not have been a part of the active workforce during the time you decided to step back from a full-time career, there is no denying the fact that you did end up garnering valuable experiences and life lessons. Use these to your advantage when crafting your resume. For instance, if you used your sabbatical from a full-time job to freelance or consult, do mention the experience that you gained from your endeavors. It counts. Even if it was helping out on a farm to earn boarding and lodging during your travels.
• Leave Some of it Out : If you’ve been in the workforce for more than a couple of decades, it is all right to leave out a couple of jobs here and there. Especially, if you are applying for a managerial position. In most cases, it is acceptable to limit your years of experience on a resume to 15 years for these positions.
• Be Well Prepared : While it is easy to translate all of this in writing on a resume, do gear up for possible questions on these gaps in employment during the interview rounds. Your best approach here would be to go well prepared to avoid fumbling or seeming apologetic for the gap.

How to Include Gap Year Experience on a Resume

Just because you took a gap year does not mean you discount any of the skills you honed during the time. It is quite likely that you gained valuable experience during your time off and there is every reason why you should highlight, not just include, it in your resume.

If you’re using a functional resume format then you could just as easily slot any experience gained during this gap year under the ‘Experience’ section. If you volunteered during your time off, taught, or worked in a completely different field it should figure on your resume. Your gap year is a testimony to your risk-taking nature, ability to toe the line, and independence, qualities most organizations look for in candidates. All you need to do is dress it up in your resume using some action-oriented terms to quantify your achievements .

If you decided to stick to a chronological resume format, then you could always choose to highlight this gap year experience as international experience or volunteer experience. Recruiters and hiring managers are bound to sit up and take notice.

How do You Address an Employment Gap in a Cover Letter

While there is no reason to fear a gap in employment when applying for a new job, a cover letter explaining gaps in employment will be an added bonus. Chances are you picked up some new skills during your employment gap that wouldn’t otherwise figure in your resume. You could use your cover letter to convey this to your hiring manager instead.

You don’t have to have a flawless career history. As long as you offer a proper explanation in your cover letter there is no reason why you shouldn’t be judged by the same yardstick as other applicants. Remember, being honest and upfront is the key here.

If you took a break to travel and explore the world, make a compelling pitch about it in your cover letter explaining how you benefited from it and what you can now bring to the table as a result of it. If the break was to raise your children and you probably did some freelance work in the meantime, say it in your cover letter. Highlight any achievements gained during the time. If you decided to take some time off following a layoff, explain that the previous organization had to let you go due to downsizing while highlighting your skills and abilities to a prospective new employer.

How you say it, is how it will be perceived.

Sample Cover Letter Explaining a Gap in Employment

Dear Hiring Manager

An Introduction With Impact

(Try and make this as creative as you can to catch a recruiter’s attention. But don’t forget to include important details such as who you are, your area of expertise, how you came across the job posting, and why you want to apply).

A Powerful Body

(The body of a cover letter should describe how your employment history, experience, and skillsets will fit the bill for the current job opening. Don’t forget to include phrases and terms from the job description when you do this. You can also make a bulleted list with your accomplishments. Don’t forget to add numbers in these bullet points to quantify your claims. Explain how you can work towards helping the company achieve its goals and vision. Reiterate why you might be the right fit for the position they are looking to fill).

Sample of How You Could Explain an Employment Gap

(After working for 10 years as a journalist, I decided to explore a new area and devoted time to complete a certification course that I had long been wanting to undertake. During my time away from an active workforce I undertook some freelance writing and editing assignments for various publications and websites. While these were starkly different from the work I had been doing in the last decade, they did provide me the opportunity and exposure to newer avenues while encouraging me to hone my skills as well as work on my own terms).

A Strong Conclusion

(Here, inform the hiring manager that you’re keen on getting interviewed and that you will reach out within a given period of time in case you don’t hear from them. Leave your contact information and thank them for perusing your application).

Sincerely, Your Name

If the thought of explaining gaps in employment while looking for a new job is leaving you dismayed then step back and take a deep breath. Do not discount the skills and positive attributes you are now able to offer a potential employer.

Gaps in employment are fast becoming a rather common feature in most people’s professional pasts and employers are a lot more accustomed to them that you might give them credit for.

While explaining gaps in employment you might have had in both your resume and cover letter without obsessing over them or sounding apologetic. Explain it confidently and be well prepared to answer any related questions when you go for job interviews.

1). Do employers care about gap years?

Yes, they do. However, most employers are quite accustomed to dealing with candidates with gaps in employment and are a lot more accepting as well. You do need to have a strategic explanation in place to convince them of your devotion to your job and how you might have benefitted from your break. Not to forget, you also have to find a way to assure them that these gaps will no longer be a regular feature that they need to worry about.

2). How long of an employment gap is too long?

Three months. Anything less than that will not need to be explained. But anything longer than three months usually has recruiters and hiring managers seeking answers explaining these gaps.

3). Why is the gap in employment bad?

A gap in employment usually raises red flags with recruiters. One of the first thoughts to cross many minds is that the gap was a result of being sacked. This is why it is important to provide a satisfactory explanation in both your resume as well as the cover letter, apart from being prepared to field numerous questions regarding this break during a job interview.

4). How to explain a lengthy employment gap?

Emphasize why you took a step back from a full-time career in the first place. Keep it positive when it comes to explaining the motivation behind your decision to quit. Highlight any activities or courses you might have undertaken during your time off from the workforce and how these have shaped you in the last few years.

Related Resume & Cover Letter Articles

How to Explain Your Employment Gap Without Hurting Your Chances of Getting the Job

You took some time off. Finished your degree. Went on sabbatical. Stayed home and raised young kids. Took care of an elderly parent who needed you. Whatever it was, the net result is an employment gap—and it’s making you squirm. Do people even hire professionals with the dreaded G-word on their resumes?

Of course they do. But you will need to strategize.

That recruiters and hiring managers raise an eyebrow over gaps is not a myth; but it’s also not a death sentence. You’re not the first person on this Earth with a gap, and you most certainly won’t be the last. It’s more common than you think. You’re just going to need to take some care with how you explain it, in both your paperwork and in person at an interview.

Let’s break it down:

How Do I Explain a Gap on My Resume?

Simply put? Proactively. Your best defense when you have an employment gap is almost always a good offense. Recruiters will likely wonder what the deal is if, say, you don’t list employment past 2011. Rather than empower them to draw their own conclusions (which might not be accurate, or beneficial to you), make it instantly clear what you’ve been up to.

In Your Summary

First, this is when you need to use a career summary . Keep your target role and target audience in the forefront of your mind as you construct it. If this is your first time writing one, it should be three to five bullet points that introduce you as a professional and announce your strengths across the key things you know (or suspect) that this audience will be looking for.

Your summary section also affords you an opportunity to construct a statement that quickly and succinctly explains what’s up. For instance:

Present a valuable skill set that combines IT consulting experience with a recent graduate degree in healthcare management; interested in meshing the two to serve as an IT consultant in a healthcare-related corporation or hospital system.

Do you see what we did there? We proactively spelled out that this person recently finished grad school (thus, explaining the gap), and at the same time, married her prior experience with the recent degree. Assuming the reviewer of this resume is someone looking for an IT consultant in healthcare, you’ve not only just made his or her job easier, you’ve done some damage control.

In Your Career Chronology

OK, so maybe you stopped working in 2010, and you feel like that end date is just glaring on your reverse chronology resume. Should you shift to a functional resume instead, so you can bury this date further down in the resume? No, you shouldn’t. Most recruiters hate functional resumes. They want to know what you did, when, and where.

Instead, consider adding any volunteer work , freelance projects , or part-time gigs that you’ve done across this time right in your career chronology. Maybe you’ve been a volunteer project coordinator for a local nonprofit for the past two years. If so, don’t relegate this information to a separate “Volunteer Work” section; instead, roll it right into your experience section so that your gap is diminished or eliminated. Certainly, mention that you’re serving in a volunteer capacity, but if the work you’ve been doing is stuff you’re proud of, and potentially relevant to your next assignment, build it right into your career chronology.

In Your Education Section

If the reason for your employment gap is because you’ve been in school and just graduated, pull the education section of your resume right up near the top, listing your graduation date. This, at the very least, will imply that the gap is directly tied to your decision to return to school.

In Your Cover Letter

Your cover letter is also a wonderful place to proactively manage the “I have a gap” message, because you can be a bit more personable here than you can be in the resume. I recommend that you come right out of the gates with it, be clear and succinct, and then move immediately into the “What specific value can I bring to your organization?” part of the cover letter.

Consider something like this:

Completing my degree while caring for both small children and an ill parent wasn’t an easy assignment, but it’s one I took on with honor and pride. I also discovered something very interesting as I juggled a full-time Master of Public Health program while making sure lunches were packed, buses weren’t missed, and doctor’s orders were followed: My 10 years of experience as an event planner and project coordinator came right in handy.”

Next: Head right into a paragraph about why you’ll be a great event planner for this company.

Use this real estate to your advantage if you’ve got a gap that needs explaining, but don’t belabor the point or over-explain things. Recruiters cares a lot more about what you can walk through their doors and deliver than your six-paragraph explanation about your time off.

You can (and will be asked to) explain further in the interview. On that note:

At the Interview

You’ve made it past the screening process, and you’ve got an invitation to the ball game. Don’t squander this opportunity by being unprepared to cover obvious holes in your career experience. Once again, your best strategy is to walk in prepared to confidently, succinctly, and in a positive manner, explain the reason for the gap. The more confident and matter-of-fact you can be about the time off—even if you feel insecure about the reason at your core—the better.

Try to weave the information proactively into the conversation, before you’re asked (if possible). Just like in the cover letter example above, try and spin that time off into something that was beneficial or professionally valuable (even if in a roundabout way).

For instance, say your last employer laid you off and you’ve been unemployed for several months now. You could bring it up in a way that goes something like this:

“While getting laid off from a job and company I loved was both unexpected and challenging, I learned some valuable things about myself through the experience—things that I believe will make me an even better customer service manager going forward. And that could benefit XYZ Company by...”

Next: Pick out a couple of lessons that tie in to the requirements for this job, such as managing tense situations, calming unhappy clients, or whatever you feel best applies.

If you can make your interviewer not only feel OK about your gap, but see how it may actually make you a stronger, better employee? You’re golden.

Any which way, brevity and openness is the way to go most often. And in every instance, work to shift the topic right from the gap to the great things you can do for that company.

The more you consider your employment gap to be a liability (or, if you’re really despairing over this, a deal breaker), the more the interviewer or recruiter is going to feel the same.

Strategize. Come out with a good offense. And then bust out the goods on what you can bring to the party. Because, without a doubt, it’s a lot.

Photo of resumes courtesy of Shutterstock .

How to explain gaps in your CV

Gaps in your CV can cause you lots of stress.

You know that employers generally don’t like them, but you don’t know whether you should include yours, or how you should explain it.

But don’t worry if you have a gap (or two or three) it’s not the end of the world.

In this guide, I will break down everything you need to know about employment gaps, including which ones you should include in your CV, and how to describe them in a way that will keep recruiters happy and ensure you still get lots of interviews.

CV templates 

What is an employment gap in your CV?

An employment gap in your CV is any substantial period of time that you have been out of work, after you have left full time education.

It could be anything from a month off whilst looking for a job, or 6 months out to care for a sick relative, to a year off spent travelling the world.

Why don’t employers like seeing gaps in your CV?

Employers do not like to see gaps in your CV because they do not know what you were doing during that time period, and that makes the task of assessing your suitability more difficult them. It can also sometimes cause recruiters to wonder if you are trying to hide something from them, especially if there are lots of gaps.

However, gaps in employment on their own are not necessarily a bad thing.

It’s really unexplained gaps that will cause you problems in your CV.

If you’re able to explain gaps in your employment within your CV effectively, they should not have a negative impact on your job applications. In some cases, a well described employment gap in your CV can even become a major selling point for you.

When should I explain gaps in my CV?

If you have a gap in your employment, it only needs to be included if you feel it would make a difference to your applications.

This can be difficult to judge sometimes, but you have to put yourself in the employer’s shoes and ask yourself, “ If I was reviewing this CV, would I need to know what the candidate was doing during that time?”

Ultimately the two variables are;

• How long the gap is – The longer the gap, the more likely it is that you should explain it.
• How recent the gap is – The more recent the gap is, the more likely it is that you should explain it.

For example, if you took a month off work 5 years ago, a recruiter is unlikely to care about that – nor would they question the gap (they probably wouldn’t even notice it)

However, if you’ve had 6 months off in the past year, recruiters will definitely want to know what you’ve been up to.

Should I explain a current CV gap?

If you are currently not working (whilst you are job searching) then you would probably not need to explain the gap, unless it’s been for a long period of time (e.g. over 4 months).

For example, if you’ve just left school and have been looking for a job for a few months, there’s no need to explain that – it’s a common situation and it should be obvious to recruiters. But if you’ve been out of work for a year, caring for a relative and are now re-entering the job market, that would need to be explained.

Quick tip: If you are currently unemployed, looking for work, and worrying that your current employment gap is getting too long; Try doing some study, freelancing, or volunteering if you can. This gives you something to write about in your CV if you do decide to add the gap.

Should I explain a recent CV gap?

In most cases a recent CV gap should be explained because recruiters will always scrutinise your recent work history (the last 3 years in particular). So, if there is a gap of 3 months or more in your recent career, they will question it – and it’s best to pre-empt that question in your CV.

Should I explain old CV gaps?

If you have gaps in your employment from 5 or 10 years ago, you wouldn’t normally need to include them in your CV, because recruiters generally will not be interested in anything that happened such a long time ago.

Should I explain a one-month or less CV gap?

You should not need to explain an employment gap of one month or less – such a short time would not bother recruiters or employers.

Should I explain a 3 month CV gap?

The 3 month mark is where you should start to consider explaining an employment gap in your CV, especially if it has happened within the last 1 or 2 years – as a recruiter would probably spot and question it, if you left it unexplained.

Should I explain a 6 month CV gap?

A 6 month CV gap should almost definitely be explained in your CV. 6 months is a significant amount of time and potential employers will definitely want to know what you have been doing during that period, if it fell within the last 5 years. However, if the gap happened many years ago, you would not need to explain it, as recruiters are only interested in your recent career history.

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Types of CV gap and how to explain them

There are many justifiable reasons why you might need to take some time off work.

Let’s take a look at each one and how you can explain each one on your CV in a positive way which keeps recruiters interested in you.

Whether it be physical or mental illness , time out of work for poor health is not something you have any control over – and it’s nothing you should feel guilty or ashamed about.

If you have had any significant time out for illness, you just need to include a brief sentence stating just that – you don’t have to go into any detail about what the illness was if you don’t want to, and it’s probably best to keep it brief to save space on your CV.

If you are currently returning to work from illness, it may be beneficial to say that you are now recovered and fit for work.

Travel / Gap year

Time spent out travelling can actually be very attractive to employers.

If described in the right way on your CV, a travel experience can show recruiters that you’re organised, confident and hard-working.

Detail where you’ve been and highlight some of the constructive things you’ve done (including part-time jobs) to show some of the transferable workplace skills you’ve picked up.

Job seeking

If you’ve been unfortunate and not managed to land a job for a long period of time, it can be beneficial to show some of the constructive things you’ve been doing between searching for jobs. Maybe you’ve taken some courses, done some volunteering, or even tried your hand at freelancing – any of these things will show employers that you are committed and proactive.

Caring for family

If you’ve been caring for a family member or friend full-time, you’ve probably picked up a lot of skills and experience that employers will value – not to mention showing that you have some great personal qualities.

Keep this section brief, writing a sentence or two about the type of care you have been providing and the commitment you’ve made.

Any time out of work caused by Covid restrictions in the past year or so should not come as a surprise to employers. If you were laid off or your whole industry was shut down, simply write a short description of this.

Redundancy/job loss

If you’ve been made unemployed , it’ nothing to be ashamed off. If the time out has lasted for more than a few months, then it’s worth mentioning it and detailing any study, volunteering, freelancing, or anything constructive you’ve been doing.

Maternity / childcare

Time spent away from work to raise children is something that many of us will do in our lifetime, so it shouldn’t cause a big shock to employers. A sentence detailing that you’ve taken paternity/maternity leave should be enough to explain this. If you have taken maternity leave through an employer and returned to work for them afterwards, you don’t have to mention the time-out, because you never actually left the job.

Study leave can be a valuable asset on your CV if you’ve been studying for relevant qualifications – you just need to write a few short sentences on what you’ve been studying and where.

Career break

If you took a planned career break or sabbatical to do anything that’s not covered by the above examples (a year out to play music, paint or tend to you garden) then just be sure to explain what you’ve been doing and highlight some of the skills involved.

Addressing CV gaps in your cover letter

Another way to handle employment gaps and ensure they don’t have a negative effect on your job applications, is to mention them in your cover letter when you first contact recruiters.

For example, if you’ve been recently made redundant and have been out of work for a few months, you could explain the reasons why in your cover letter. You could also be creative and highlight the benefits of the situation, such as the fact this means you are immediately available.

Prepare to discuss CV gaps in interview

It’s very likely that hiring managers and recruiters will ask you questions about your employment gaps at interview stage, so make sure that prepare for this and are able to give a good explanation of what have you been doing in a positive way.

How to Explain Career Gaps (With Examples!)

A career gap, also known as an employment gap, is a period during your professional career in which you did not have formal employment. Career gaps can range in length — from several months to a period of several years. It can also occur voluntarily or involuntarily. People decide to stay unemployed mostly because they want to raise their children, travel, or go to school full-time.

All this considered, having career gaps is nothing to be ashamed of. You do not need to hide them from an interviewer. In fact, you can even use your career gap explanation as an opportunity to showcase your productivity outside of the workplace.

Needless to say, there are ways to minimise the image of your employment gaps.

Take note that the three main places where you can address this are in your resume, cover letter, and interview. Read our tips and tricks to learn how to explain your career gaps in these areas.

Refresh your resume

Wondering how to handle career gaps on a resume? If you went on an employment gap, then a standard resume that reads like a timeline may not be the best for you. Instead, utilise a combination of a functional and a chronological resume format. Begin with a summary of qualifications and a list of key competencies. Then, follow that with a chronological list of your work experience.

Find out the 9 tips to improve your resume template .

Improve your cover letter

A cover letter is a great place to explain significant gaps in employment, as it allows you to go into detail. Explaining career gaps in your cover letter and resume also shows employers that you are honest and trustworthy. Both qualities will help you stand out from other candidates.

Highlight your certifications

Show that you have spent part of the time you were unemployed preparing to rejoin the workforce. Earn certifications relevant to your industry. Take continuing education classes. Join industry-related associations or do volunteer work. Positive examples like these can help fill up the career gaps in your resume.

A professional who has several years of experience usually has nothing to worry about if they can explain their gaps in employment satisfactorily. Likewise, if the employment gap occurred early in your professional career, a well-explained reason will reassure the hiring manager.

Omit specific dates

If your employment gaps are small — weeks or months in-between jobs — try omitting the specific months of your employment. Instead, only add the year you were employed in each job. However, note that this method of disguising employment gaps in your resume works only if the length of time between each position is less than a year.

Be careful that you do not look like a job hopper either. Many employers still hire those who appear to be job hoppers, but leaving a job in less than a year still does not look great on your resume. However, job-hopping is not considered a gap in employment.

Find out more tips on practise etiquette in job interviews .

Use familiar narratives

Many of the reasons people find themselves unemployed are extremely common. These issues can be explained quickly, without you having to go through much detail, because chances are, employers are familiar with them already.

Refrain from going into too much detail about your time off. Only delve deeper into the topic if your interviewer asks you directly. Better yet, prepare for the most common job interview questions beforehand.

You may have experienced career gaps for the following reasons:

A failed business or startup

Showing failure does not necessarily mean a bad resume. Many career experts encourage showing a failed business, because even a failed attempt will show your competency level. Highlight achievements from that experience that could fit the job you are interviewing for.

Took time looking for a new job

You can give examples of how you have been proactive but selective about looking for a new job during your career gap. Show how you have thought about what you want from a new job as well as from a new employer. Explain why you think this particular position is a good fit for you and why you would be a good fit within the company at large.

Became a stay-at-home parent

Explain that you took time out to prioritise your family and look after your children. Elaborate on why you now feel ready to go back to work. Why are you excited about this new phase in your life? Provide details that can prove you are a good fit for the position. Also, make sure to show closure (e.g. the kids are grown and in school). Employers know that family is important, but they also want to be reassured that you won’t treat your role as secondary.

Left the workforce to be a caretaker

There is no need to go into the details of the illness or your responsibilities as a caregiver during your employment gap. Just like taking time off to be a full-time parent, make it clear that your relative has recovered or you have more support in place at home and can reenter the workforce with no obstacles.

Personal illness

Illnesses and injuries explain career gaps in employment very easily. But, make sure to clarify that these ailments won’t get in the way of you working efficiently. Again, there is no need to provide specific details of the illness or injury unless it directly affects the job you are interviewing for. Show that you are ready and more than willing to return to work, emphasising why you think the position you applied for is a good fit.

Pursued higher education

Explain why you decided to go back to school. What specific skills did you want to build? What was the qualification you wished to gain from furthering your education? Show that you are dedicated to personal development and sharpening your skills even further.

Took time off to travel

Expound on why you decided to go travelling. If you learned anything through this experience, now is the best time to talk about it. Stress on points such as personal development, better cultural awareness, and gaining new perspectives. At the same time, make it clear that you are ready to return to work full-time. So, also talk about why this particular job opportunity excites you.

Explain that you and your former company had different expectations. Show how you realise that you could have handled some things differently, but through the entire process, you have learnt a lot and are excited about the new opportunity to bring everything you have learnt to your next job.

Got laid off

Briefly talk about why your previous role was made redundant (e.g. budget cuts). Provide examples of key achievements and strong performance while you were in your previous job. Take time to explain what positive things you have been doing (ex. continued education by taking a certificate course in the industry you are interested in) since having left your previous employer and why you think the position you applied for is a good fit.

If you got laid off due to the challenges of COVID-19, don’t worry. A JobStreet report shows that up to 71% of hirers will not factor this in their assessment. In fact, a quarter of all surveyed employers will actually be more likely to consider these candidates.

Relocating from one geographic area to another is a reason why you would have a career gap in your resume. The best strategy is to tell the employer how you spent your time while unemployed, highlighting positives gained rather than the negatives.

Explain your career gap during your job interview

When there are career gaps in your resume, employers might be afraid of what you are hiding. Leave no room for assumptions. Don’t let the employers think the worst. Instead, explain things calmly and positively to the interviewer.

If your resume shows an employment gap from seven years ago, don’t worry about it. An old gap on your resume is not a serious matter. Also, be mindful that you do not have to volunteer things that are not particularly relevant or may hurt you.

Any employer can find out about your career gap through a basic employment check. So, don’t even try to cover your resume gaps with different dates or putting in years spent in the company instead of the actual dates. These tactics make it look like you are trying to cover something up. It is alright to show career gaps in your resume. Just explain what you were doing during that gap in two sentences or less.

Be prepared

A career gap will come up in your interview, so you should have an explanation ready even before you go in for the interview. Discuss why you have gaps in your resume and reassure the employer why it will not happen again under their watch. You can continue and talk about what you learnt and the value gained during this gap. Make your explanation short and to the point, with a strong finish line that shows your enthusiasm to rejoin the workforce.

Again, be honest. Don’t try to cover things up. The last thing you want is to be caught by an employment check.

Be confident

Though talking about your career gap might make you uneasy, it is best to remember that resume gaps are not as uncommon as jobseekers might think. Many people take time off for one reason or another at certain points in their lives.

During the interview, keep things short. Once you have talked about your career gaps briefly, you can move on to the highlights of your resume. Give examples of your abilities and skills that would be beneficial to the job that you are interested in.

Returning to the workforce after some time is nothing to be apprehensive about. Just remember to keep these helpful tips and tactics in mind when explaining your career gap.

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