Ask the Experts: Explaining a Long Gap in Your Resume

Question:

I have been unemployed by choice for three years. I quit after my 15 day old baby died of SIDS. I felt that I needed to spend more time with my five and eight year old children because they were having a difficult time coping with the death of their sister. I had another baby a year ago and am now ready to return to work on a part-time basis but don’t know how to explain the three year gap on my resume.

First Answer:

Don’t mention the gap on your resume, and if asked about the time in interviews, simply say that you took time off to make a difference in your family and now you’re ready to make a difference in the corporate world!

— Tracy Laswell Williams, certified job and career transition coach, accredited resume writer and founder of CAREER-Magic.com

Second Answer:

I am sorry for your loss and understand your decision to put your family first.

Honesty is the best policy. I think you need to calmly explain, as you have to the experts on this panel, that you left voluntarily because of family issues.

I am assuming that you worked prior to this time, so you have some work experience. Letters of reference might be useful to you, as they will validate the fact that until the time of crisis in your family, you were an exemplary worker. Keep in mind that unfair as it may seem, some employers may worry that if you dropped out of the workplace once, that you will do it again. While children should come first in our society, an employer would prefer for you to put the workplace top on the list.

When I advise people with gaps in their resume, I help them to determine what objections employers might raise to their particular situation, and we devise compelling responses to these possible objections, in advance of telephone or in-person interviews. That way, they stay focused, confident, and persuasive If you are worried that you might get overly emotional or defensive, or you feel that you might not be able to make the most compelling case for why you’re the best candidate even though you “checked out” for three years, investing in a session or two with a coach either in your hometown or online, might help, too!

— Alison Blackman Dunham, life & career expert, columnist, personal public relations consultant, half of THE ADVICE SISTERS®, and the author of the ASK ALISON career advice column

Third Answer:

It is reasonable to be concerned about gaps in time on your resume. However, this one can be handled quickly and with a great deal of ease. You can say you chose to take some time off for life enrichment purposes. You are now ready to fully move forward in your chosen area. Then talk about any career development education you gained while off work or career-related endeavors that kept your skills up to date.

You may want to read “The Interview,” an article specifically for domestic violence survivors who have been out of the job market for a protracted period of time. It may offer you some ideas about interview “do’s” as well as interview “don’ts.”

May all of your Entrances be through the doors of success!

— Yvonne LaRose, career and professional development coach, Career and Executive Recruiting Advice

Fourth Answer:

Coming back into the workforce after a prolonged absence is as challenging a problem as one can ever face whether coming back from child rearing or any other reason. Most people notice how the pace has changed (although many might offer up the following, “Fast paced? You want fast paced? Try chasing after several pre-schoolers 12 hours each day!”). It is odd though how many people who came from the womb choose to view women coming back from childbirth and child rearing. How quickly many forget. Before I continue, I found an incredibly neat – and comprehensive – website call BlueSuitMom – . It appears to be a great resource for any gender in understanding the dynamics of where care giving interacts with business.

Explaining being a Mom (or a stay-at-home Dad). Some people still believe giving birth and rearing a child is easier than working. A friend of mine once told me, “Try pushing a cantaloupe out of your…” I took her word for it. But what do you put in your resume and in your cover letter?

It helps to understand what a resume truly represents: In my opinion, it is a talking piece and while it shouldn’t be an in-depth analysis of one’s life, it needs to detail some of the critical events that formulated one’s current persona. Besides, too many recruiters won’t even look at a resume if it doesn’t address gaps. SIDS is not an alibi – it is a life changing event that if addressed well, can enhance a person’s personality, strength, desire, etc. – and make the person better at handling challenges in the workplace.

I suppose the person can say they have been a stay-at-home Mom and leave it at that but I think calling oneself a Domestic Engineer is more intriguing (see below). Naturally, all of this is dependent upon what other job skills are brought to the table.

For the resume. This isn’t a standard approach to addressing motherhood, etc. but it sure goes a long way in explaining what is required to make it successful:

2000-2004
Familia LLC; Anytown, US

COO and Vice President, Domestic Engineering

During a period of intense cultural upheaval, developed new organizational processes that were integral in maintaining the unit’s core competencies and return to profitability. [I’m not kidding]

Above all, be certain to include job-related skills and accomplishments. If you use Quicken to manage your families finances, say it. Tailor the resume to fit the job, industry or company.

When a recruiter makes a face or a crass comment, inform them of the real details. While you may be tempted to say, “Well? How do you think you would have done under the same circumstances?”, it would be better to say, “After what my family has been through, I’m certain that I’ll be able to transfer what I’ve learned to your business environment.” Deflect from the emotion to the job in question.

Cover letter. As far as cover letters, some folks read them, other’s don’t. “I’m returning to the workforce after a period of motherhood” is all that is required. Sell your job skills not your mothering skills. Of course you can use “mothering” analogies but focus on equating the job requirements to your skill sets.

Pictures: This may sound harsh but don’t bring pictures of your children to the interview – focus on becoming a member of the business team first. If asked for pictures by the recruiter or hiring manager – hey, most people really love seeing pictures of children (I know I do) – let them know that you’ll be certain to stop by their office your first day of work with your entire family portfolio.

Until then, it’s all about business.

Networking. This is obvious but there are great SIDS support groups around the country – http://sids-network.org/, http://www.sids.org/, http://www.sidsalliance.org/index/default.asp, http://www.sidscenter.org/, http://www.sidsfamilies.com/, etc. – be certain you network within these groups for business contacts. Don’t forget members of your maternity classes, nurses, etc.

Feel free to contact me.

— Steve Levy, Principal of outside-the-box Consulting

Fifth Answer:

Your question regarding your three year absence from the work force and how to deal with the employment gap is a good one. The answer is easy-just be honest. You have taken a three year hiatus to spend time with your family. You have spent your time focused on your family, dealing with out of the ordinary circumstances.

You should list your employment chronologically. When the Recruiter/Hiring manager speaks with you directly, this is the appropriate time to explain your reason for taking time off.

Your personal circumstances and decision to spend time focusing on family needs is understandable. Rather than detailing your tragic situation, succinctly tell your interviewer because you were able to focus completely on your family for a period of time, you have your family’s support in returning to work. You can now dedicate your time and concentration in an uncompromising way; which will make you a valuable addition to their team.

If they reject you because you took time off to be with your children in a difficult time, they are indicating a lack of compassion and working with that organization would be a mistake anyway.

In short, explain the “gap’ of time un-employed in conversation. Do not explain on your resume. Keep the focus on the value you will bring to their company.

— Lisa Alexander, former Medical Sales Representative and hiring manager of pharmaceutical sales representatives and author of PharmRepSelect®, a comprehensive guide to getting a job in the pharmaceutical sales industry

Originally posted by alwin