So, awhile back there was a discussion on how best to address an employment gap.

Anonymous

October 12,2023 at 8:26PM UTC

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So, awhile back there was a discussion on how best to address an employment gap. The advice given was to note the gap on your resume, with a brief “issue fully resolved” high-level, low detail description.

I’m looking to go back to work after about a year leave for family care, estate / probate settlement, and ended up needing some surgery.

I’ve added my gap time w/ family care and estate /probate settlement. But from the perspective of my resume representing my skill set, it doesn’t look right with that line item .

Can anyone elaborate on how this should read, or even another way to deal with a gap like this?

Thanks in advance!

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AnonymousOctober 12,2023 at 8:45PM UTC
I would just put the month/year with Family care leave of absence ie 10/2022-10/2023. You don't have to get into specifics. Life happens and the right employer for you will be empathetic and appreciate your transparency in keeping it short and sweet.
AnonymousOctober 12,2023 at 9:28PM UTC
Thank-you! Not used to job hunting with a gap, so new territory!
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistOctober 12,2023 at 10:40PM UTC
That's too much information.
October, 2022 to October, 2023 - Family leave
AnonymousOctober 13,2023 at 7:01PM UTC
Take the kiss approach - keep is simple stupid (not directed toward you) less is more. Just list it as a line item and let them ask you about it. During the pandemic many people had gaps, if you focus on the blank space instead of the rest of the content then you will make it more important that it needs to be. Good luck in your search.
ChrishoggOctober 14,2023 at 1:00PM UTC
Would this be applicable?
linkedin.com/posts/hannahmorgan_unemployment-linkedinprofile-bias-activity-7118566070667333632-KVGs/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
Erica NicholasOctober 14,2023 at 1:30PM UTC
I saw one just yesterday where the applicant had added a very similar statement in bold next to her current position. I liked not only that it wasn't ignored and but made very clear.
Katherine Metres Akbar, Interview Coach & Resume ExpertOctober 14,2023 at 1:33PM UTC
I think you've handled this in the best possible way. Something you may not have considered is that your resume needs to show soft skills as well as hard skills, and taking care of an ailing family member and their estate shows that you care about others, a character trait that is important in most jobs. Plus I'm sure you had to battle through some complex legal issues, also not a bad thing to show for most jobs. Also, the hiring manager needs to know that you were not imprisoned or sitting at home incapacitated for a year by a career setback or something.
GypsyeOctober 14,2023 at 3:13PM UTC
Executrix ( female form of executor, which I find amusing and it’s not too outrageous within my professional setting) is how I reference it on my CV, with dates. It *is* practically a full time job if the estate is complex enough.
This does not address the family care factors, for which I have no suggestions .
AnonymousOctober 14,2023 at 4:15PM UTC
When I am looking at resumes I don't see this type of gap as a negative. An unexplained gap leads people to speculate that you were in prison but caring for family and subsequenly being executor of the estate is not a negative thing. Think about it, if a prospective employer feels it is a negative, do you really want to work for them?
AnonymousOctober 15,2023 at 12:59PM UTC
Don’t look at it as a resume killer, career killer, negative thing. You had to take care of family, that makes you look admirable. I had a similar situation and nobody cares and most if not all were very understanding. So I would stop worrying so much over minute details that don’t really matter.
also “ issue fully resolved” sounds ridiculous. Don’t use that. It makes you look like you got something to hide, just be honest and say you had to take some time off for family reasons, I think you’ll be totally fine.
as another poster said, I would put the dates and say family leave but elaborate in the face to face interview if you feel comfortable. However, you can go ahead and put the specifics if you want, I don’t think that would hurt. It’s your call.
SueOctober 15,2023 at 2:35PM UTC
I was told, regarding my 3 gaps, to just put a few words . For my biiiiig gap I put in medical illness, job search…. I could have put in a few details but was told by the new HRs to stick with a few words … still no job offers