Introduction Employment gaps can be a tricky thing to explain on a resume, especially if you've been out of the workforce for a long period of time. It's important to be honest about your employment gaps but also to frame them in a way that paints you in the best light. Here are some tips to help you explain employment gaps in your resume in a way that will still make you look like an attractive job candidate. 6 tips on how to explain employment gaps in your resume 1. Be honest and direct Be honest and direct when explaining employment gaps in your resume. It is important to provide a clear explanation for any gaps in your employment history. If you've been out of work due to personal or health issues, it's best to be honest, and open about it. You don't have to go into detail, but provide enough information to explain why you weren't working. If you took time off to pursue further education, make sure to include that information, as well. Employers generally understand these types of gaps, and it is important, to be honest and direct when explaining them. Doing so will demonstrate that you are comfortable with your decisions and that you are confident in your abilities. 2. Use a functional resume format. When explaining employment gaps in your resume, it is important to use a functional resume format. This type of format focuses on your skills and abilities rather than your work history. It helps to highlight your strengths and accomplishments rather than draw attention to any gaps. When using a functional resume format, start with a summary of your qualifications and then list your skills, experience, and accomplishments. This will help to emphasize your strengths rather than the gaps in your employment history. It is essential to be forthright about any employment gaps but also to demonstrate how your abilities have benefited other employers. This will help to demonstrate that you are a valuable asset to any organization. 3. Provide a brief explanation. When explaining employment gaps in your resume, it is important to provide a brief explanation. Employment gaps can be due to a variety of reasons, such as taking time off to care for a family member, traveling, or attending school. It is important to be honest, and provide a brief explanation for the gap in your employment history. Be sure to include any volunteer or freelance work that you may have done during the gap. This can show potential employers that you have been actively engaged during the period of unemployment. For example, if you took time off for health reasons, you could say something like "Took a leave of absence to focus on my health" or "Took time off to recover from a medical procedure." If you took some time off to care for a child or elderly family member, you could say something like "Took a year off to care for a newborn" or "Took a sabbatical to care for an aging parent." It is also important to emphasize any skills or experience you may have acquired during the gap. By providing a brief explanation, you can demonstrate to potential employers that you have been productive and have been actively working towards your career goals. 4. Emphasize your accomplishments When explaining employment gaps in your resume, it is important to emphasize your accomplishments. Highlight any volunteer work, continuing education, or other activities that demonstrate your commitment to personal growth and development. Consider mentioning any awards or recognition you have received for your accomplishments. Additionally, make sure to include any freelance work, consulting projects, or other projects you may have completed during your gap in employment. This can help to demonstrate that you have been productive and active during the period of unemployment. Remember to use quantifiable metrics when emphasizing your accomplishments. Using numbers to demonstrate your accomplishments can make them more impressive and memorable. For example, instead of saying "Improved sales," you could say "Increased sales by 25% within six months." Finally, be sure to provide a positive narrative about your time away from the workforce, as this can help to give employers a more positive impression of your skillset and experience. 5. Highlight relevant activities Highlighting relevant activities during an employment gap is an important part of any resume. It is important to show that you have been productive and have used the time to gain additional knowledge, skills, and experience. Examples of activities to highlight include taking classes, attending workshops or seminars, volunteering, starting a business, traveling, and pursuing hobbies. These activities demonstrate your commitment to personal development and can help to fill in any gaps in your employment history. In addition, they can be utilized to demonstrate that you have gained useful abilities and experiences that are transferable to new positions. Highlighting relevant activities during an employment gap can help to demonstrate that you have stayed engaged and have been actively working to improve yourself. 6. Use your cover letter. When explaining employment gaps in your resume, it is important to use your cover letter. This allows you to provide additional context and explain why there are gaps in your employment history. For example, if you took a sabbatical from the workforce to care for a family member, you can describe this in greater detail in your cover letter. Also, you might use your cover letter to explain any employment gaps caused by illness, job searching, or other situations. Furthermore, you can use this space to highlight any skills or experiences you have gained during the gap, such as volunteering or taking courses. By using your cover letter to explain employment gaps, you can give potential employers a better understanding of your work history and demonstrate your commitment to the job. Conclusion It can be daunting to explain why you have gaps in your resume. However, with the right framing and honest explanation, these gaps can be seen as an opportunity to let your skills and personality shine. Whether you took a break to focus on a family member, travel the world, or take advantage of an unexpected opportunity, there is no need to feel ashamed. Explaining the situation clearly in an interview and taking ownership of your decisions is the best way to move forward.