.png?v=85ddd05fb92426b2abb4b4c4d3e14e78)
Resume Gaps: Showcasing Career Breaks Positively
Overcoming Resume Gaps
In an ideal world, resumes would neatly showcase an uninterrupted career progression. However, In today's dynamic job market, it's not uncommon for professionals to encounter periods of unemployment or gaps in their work history. Whether due to personal reasons, career transitions, or economic downturns, these employment gaps can raise concerns for hiring managers reviewing your resume. While resume gaps can raise eyebrows among hiring managers, they don't have to derail your job search.
By utilising effective strategies, you can overcome these gaps and highlight your continued growth and commitment during any career breaks. This comprehensive guide will equip you with practical techniques to address resume gaps confidently and with positivity.
Communicating the Nature of Your Employment Gap
Before addressing an employment gap on your resume, it's crucial to consider the nature and circumstances of the gap. Reflect on the reasons behind the gap, whether it was voluntary or involuntary, and how you spent your time during that period. The way you frame and explain the gap can have a big impact on how it is perceived by potential employers.
While addressing the gap itself, it helps to emphasize what you did to further your skills and professional development during that time. Highlight any courses, certifications, volunteering, freelance work, or other activities you pursued to maintain your expertise and marketability. Quantify any key achievements from these experiences.
Honesty and Transparency
Honesty is key when addressing employment gaps on your resume. Transparency builds trust with potential employers and demonstrates your integrity. Attempting to hide or fabricate gaps can damage your credibility if discovered during the hiring process. Instead, be transparent about the reasons for your gap and what you accomplished during that time. For example, if you took a sabbatical to travel and gain new perspectives, frame it as a valuable experience that enriched your personal and professional growth.
When explaining the gap, keep your response concise, professional, and focused on the objective facts without oversharing personal details.
Example: "After being laid off from my previous role due to company restructuring, I took a one-year career break to care for an elderly family member. During this time, I..."
Highlight Relevant Activities or Achievements During the Gap
While you may not have been formally employed during a resume gap, you may have engaged in activities or projects that are relevant to your target job or industry, or otherwise contributed to your professional growth and skills. Emphasize any relevant freelance work, volunteer experience, coursework, certifications, or professional development initiatives you undertook during the gap. This demonstrates your continued dedication and proactive approach to personal and professional development. Focus on the skills you gained or enhanced during this time and any accomplishments you achieved.
Example: "During my time away from the workforce, I completed an online certification in digital marketing to enhance my skill set and stay current with industry trends."
List Transferrable Skills
Even if the activities you engaged in during a resume gap were not directly related to your desired field, quantifying your achievements and highlighting transferable skills can showcase your capabilities. For instance, if you took on a part-time job or volunteered during the gap, highlight any notable accomplishments, such as increasing sales, managing a team, or coordinating events.
Example: "As a part-time retail associate during my gap year, I consistently exceeded sales targets by 25%, showcasing my strong customer service and persuasive communication abilities."
Be Prepared to Address Gaps During Interviews
Despite your efforts to address gaps seamlessly on your resume and cover letter, interviewers may still inquire about periods of unemployment. Prepare a clear, confident response that avoids dwelling on negatives. Focus on the positive aspects of your gap, such as the skills you developed, the experiences you gained, and how you've remained committed to your career goals. Emphasize any professional development activities like taking courses, earning certifications, freelancing, or volunteering. Quantify achievements and transferable skills you gained, tying them back to the role's core requirements.
By approaching the topic proactively and confidently, you can reassure hiring managers of your readiness to contribute value to their organisation despite any past employment gaps.
Tailoring Your Approach Based on the Gap Duration and Reason
The strategies you employ to address resume gaps may vary depending on the length of the gap and the reason behind it. For instance, a short gap resulting from a layoff or temporary contract may require a different approach than an extended gap due to personal or family circumstances. Tailor your explanation and focus accordingly, emphasizing the most relevant details that position you as a strong candidate.
Remain Positive and Confident
Maintaining a positive, confident mindset is vital when addressing resume gaps with potential employers. Even if you feel anxious or insecure about periods of unemployment, it's crucial to approach the topic with unwavering confidence in your own skills and ability. Remind yourself that resume gaps are an increasingly common reality that many people navigate.
When discussing gaps, whether on your application materials or in an interview setting, maintain a solutions-oriented mindset. Focus the conversation on the proactive steps you took to continue developing yourself professionally, even if they fell outside of traditional employment.
Remember to let your confident body language reinforce your words. Maintain good posture, make consistent eye contact, and speak slowly and clearly. By doing so, you'll convey a true sense of ownership over your personal and professional journey.
If you still feel apprehensive, engage a mentor, former colleague, or friend to practice addressing gaps out loud. Their supportive feedback can bolster your confidence further. At the end of the day, hiring managers may have also experienced an unplanned career gap.
By approaching it with positivity and confidence, you position any resume gaps as mere temporary detours that have created an extra characteristic - resilience.
Sign up for post alerts
ICON & You
The potential of together.
Careers that improve the lives of patients, our clients and each other. Are you ready to make a difference?
View jobsRelated jobs at ICON
Salary
Location
Mexico, Mexico City
Department
Full Service - Corporate Support
Location
Mexico City
Remote Working
Office Based
Business Area
ICON Full Service & Corporate Support
Job Categories
HR Advisor
Job Type
Permanent
Description
Hybrid Role: 3 days in the office / 2 days remote (home office)Location: Insurgentes Sur, Mexico CityWe are currently seeking an HR Advisor to join our diverse and dynamic team supporting our LATAM em
Reference
JR132381
Expiry date
01/01/0001
Author
Daniela GuerreroAuthor
Daniela GuerreroSalary
Location
Brazil
Department
Clinical Monitoring
Location
Brazil
Remote Working
Home-Based
Business Area
ICON Strategic Solutions
Job Categories
Clinical Monitoring
Job Type
Permanent
Description
A Clinical Research Associate is a professional who contributes to accelerated drug/device/outcomes research through independent monitoring of studies to ensure patient safety and data integrity. You
Reference
2025-120501
Expiry date
01/01/0001
Author
Bruna DuarteAuthor
Bruna DuarteSalary
Location
US, Blue Bell (PRA)
Department
Full Service - Corporate Support
Location
Blue Bell
Remote Working
Office Based
Business Area
ICON Full Service & Corporate Support
Job Categories
Facilities & Administratives Services
Job Type
Permanent
Description
Facilities & Admin Coordinator- Front Desk Receptionist- Blue Bell PA- On site We are currently seeking a Facilities & Admin Coordinator to join our diverse and dynamic team. As the Coordinator, you w
Reference
JR131324
Expiry date
01/01/0001
Author
Frank LampartAuthor
Frank LampartSalary
Location
US, New York, NY, Whitesboro
Location
Whitesboro
Remote Working
Home or Office
Business Area
ICON Full Service & Corporate Support
Job Categories
Program Management
Job Type
Permanent
Description
We are currently seeking a Project Manager I EDS to join our diverse and dynamic team.What You Will Be Doing: Recognize, exemplify and adhere to ICON's values which center around our commitment to Peo
Reference
JR131648
Expiry date
01/01/0001
Author
Hanna PitcairnAuthor
Hanna PitcairnRelated stories
.png)
Teaser label
IndustryContent type
BlogsPublish date
07/07/2025
Summary
Precision at the Outset: The Strategic Role of Site Selection and Activation in Clinical Trials The success of any clinical trial begins well before the first patient is enrolled. Behind every sit
.png)
Teaser label
IndustryContent type
BlogsPublish date
07/04/2025
Summary
Cybersecurity in Clinical Data Management In clinical research, data is both a vital asset and a significant responsibility. As trials become increasingly digitised and decentralised, the protectio
.png)
Teaser label
IndustryContent type
BlogsPublish date
07/03/2025
Summary
Finding the Specialisation for You Clinical research is a dynamic, multidisciplinary field that brings together scientific innovation, operational rigour and patient-centric thinking. While many
Recently viewed jobs
Impactful work. Meaningful careers. Quality rewards.
At ICON, our employees are our greatest strength. That’s why we are committed to empowering you to live your best life, both inside and outside of work. Whether your ambition is lead a global team, become a deep scientific or technical expert, work in-house with our customers or gain experience in a variety of different ICON functions, we will support you in realising your full potential. See all locations Learn more about Our Culture at ICON