How to Explain a Gap in Your Resume During a Job Search (With Samples!)

Whether you’ve taken time off for personal reasons, professional development, or unexpected circumstances, resume gaps can be a source of anxiety for many job seekers. And it's understandable—employers often pay close attention to these gaps, so how you address them can really impact their perception and your chances in the job search.

Understanding how to explain gaps in your resume not only helps you prepare for interview questions but also lets you present your career story in a positive way.

What is a career break on a resume?

A career break, or employment gap, refers to a period when you're not employed or actively working. This can range from a few months to several years. It's hard to hide them or avoid the subject in a job application process because it will probably show in your resume.

“It's completely normal to have resume gaps and people are getting increasingly used to and creative in communicating these,” says Jaime-Alexis Fowler, who runs a national nonprofit called Empower Work. “Especially now, when there are challenges with costs of childcare or pulls to deal with family needs, we increasingly see people needing to step back from a job to take care of a loved one.” 

Still, this “time off” can raise concerns for potential employers, who may question the reasons behind the gap and how it affects your skills and experience. Understanding how to effectively address a career break on your resume is essential to ensure it doesn't negatively impact your job search.

Common valid reasons for a career break

Career breaks can stem from a variety of valid circumstances. Here are some “good” reasons for gaps in employment:

• Health issues

• Caregiving responsibilities 

• Sabbatical—Or “eat, pray, love” style experiences 

• Gap after graduation

• Job search or relocation

How—and when—to explain a gap in resume

Explaining employment gaps on resumes requires a strategic approach, and it can be done at different stages of the job application process:

On your resume

If the gap is short and doesn’t significantly impact your employment history, you can briefly mention it in your job history section. If the gap is more substantial or frequent, you might be tempted to use a functional or combination resume format. 

What is a functional resume for gaps? The one that emphasizes your skills and accomplishments over a chronological work history, which can help downplay gaps. However, it’s important to consider the drawbacks of this approach. 

“From an employer standpoint, I don’t think a functional resume is a preferred format,”  says Ashley Samson, Chief of Staff of Nationalbusinesscapital.com. “Most hiring managers are skimming resumes fairly quickly and like to see that highlighted work experience.” 

In a cover letter

Include a cover letter in your application to provide a brief explanation of the gap, focusing on the positive aspects of what you did during that time. This is also a good place to highlight how you’ve prepared yourself to return to the workforce and why you’re excited about the opportunity.

During the interview

Be prepared to discuss the gap in more detail during the interview. “Some people choose to explain the gap in detail on their actual resume as well, but I think addressing it in person is best,” Samson says.

Practice a concise, positive explanation that aligns with your resume. Focus on what you learned or how you grew during the time off. “Be honest and address the gap before the interviewer mentions it,” she says. 

In follow-up communications 

If the gap comes up again in follow-up communications or second interviews, reiterate the positive aspects and how you’ve stayed engaged with your field or developed new skills. 

In online professional profiles 

On platforms like LinkedIn, you can address the gap in the “Experience” section or “Summary” area. Be succinct and focus on how you stayed productive or how the time off has prepared you for your next role.

Key tips for explaining a gap in a resume

If you're wondering, “How do I explain gaps in my resume?” here are some tips to help you present your career break in a positive and professional manner:

1. Address the gap openly

Transparency is key. Address the gap openly and briefly explain the reason without going into excessive detail. Employers appreciate honesty and straightforwardness. “Speak confidently when explaining the gap, but there's no need to over-explain,” Samson says.

2. Emphasize skills or experiences you gained during the break 

Whether you were volunteering, taking courses, or managing personal responsibilities, highlight how these activities contributed to your growth. “Identify the skills, learnings, or takeaways that were developed during that break, and focus on crafting a compelling story around them,” Fowler says.

3. Consider shift the focus to your abilities and achievements

You might choose to opt for a functional resume to focus on your skills and accomplishments rather than your chronological work history. This can help downplay the employment gap on your resume and shift the focus to your abilities and achievements.

4. Prepare gap explanations for interviews

While your resume might address the gap, be ready to discuss it in more detail during interviews. Practice a concise, positive explanation that aligns with your resume.

5. Enhance skills during the gap

If the employment gaps in your resume are significant, consider taking courses or gaining certifications relevant to your field. This demonstrates that you've remained engaged with your profession.

Employment gaps on resume: Examples of how to explain

Let’s look at some employment gaps on resume examples of clarification, for every situation mentioned above. 

Gap due to mental illness

“I took a period of time off to focus on my mental health and recovery. During this time, I engaged in self-improvement activities such as counseling and wellness workshops. This experience has strengthened my resilience and taught me valuable skills in stress management, which I believe will benefit my performance in this role.”

Caregiving responsibilities

“I took time off from my career to care for a family member. This role required significant organizational and problem-solving skills, which have sharpened my abilities in project management and multitasking. I am now ready to bring these enhanced skills back into the professional environment.”

Sabbatical

“I spent the past year on a sabbatical to pursue personal development and explore new interests. I used this time to take courses in [relevant field], which have furthered my expertise in [specific area]. This period has reinvigorated my passion for [industry/role] and I am excited to apply my new skills in this position.”

Gap after graduation

“After graduating, I took some time to explore different career paths and gain experience through various internships. This allowed me to refine my career goals and develop a clearer understanding of where I want to take my professional journey. I am now eager to leverage my experiences and contribute effectively to your team.”

Job search or relocation

“Following a move to [new location], I took some time to conduct a thorough job search and familiarize myself with the local industry. During this period, I also worked on enhancing my skills through online courses and networking. I am now well-prepared to bring my updated skills and knowledge to your company.”

Final thoughts: Be proud of that time!

Whatever the reason for your hiatus, aim to address it positively and professionally, emphasizing how it has prepared you to be a valuable asset to your potential employer. “Everything we do helps weave together who we are in life,” Hatton says. “So make it a core part of your resume and sell yourself, your skills, your experience, and the other opportunities that took you away from your career.”

By following these tips and using the provided samples, you can effectively address job gaps on your resume and present yourself as a strong candidate for potential employers.

FAQs

How much gap is acceptable in a resume? 

Generally, short gaps of a few months are not problematic, especially if they are well-explained. However, prolonged gaps (over a year) may require a more detailed explanation. Ensure that you address them clearly and positively.

How to explain gaps in a resume due to mental illness? 

If you took time off due to personal health or mental illness, briefly mention it and focus on your recovery and readiness to return to work. Employers generally understand that health issues can occur.

How to explain a sabbatical in resume? 

A sabbatical for personal growth or professional development can be a positive aspect of your career. Touch on the purpose of the sabbatical, such as pursuing further education or a personal project, and how it enhances your professional skills. 

“You might simply be traveling, but that doesn't mean you haven't grown as an individual because of it, and you have engaged in unique and different ideas that can potentially be applied in your work life,” says Will Hatton, Founder & CEO of of budget travel site TheBrokeBackpacker.com.

How to explain the employment gap after graduation?

 If you took time off after throwing your graduation cap in the air to explore career options or gain experience through internships, highlight any relevant activities or skills acquired during this period. This shows that your gap was a strategic choice.