Career Corner: What is the best way to explain a gap in your resume?

by Sharon Armstrong
owner, Sharon Armstrong and Associates
author, The Essential HR Handbook
January 2010

In the last issue of Career Corner, I asked for feedback from readers who had questions about any question they had regarding looking for a new job. Among them was “How should one effectively use social media in a job search?”

Here are a few more questions that intrigued me, and hopefully will provide some great insight for job seekers. Please keep them coming!

And this just in: My questions are being published on a new online magazine for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs called Be Inkandescent. Check it out! Who knows — your next question just might be posted on it. Send any career-related to me at Sharon@SharonArmstrongAndAssociates.com.

Question: What is the best way to explain a gap in your resume? That is, if you have been out of work for a period of time, due to whatever reason, how best to illustrate that?

Sharon says: You can indicate ‘job elimination’ at the end date if you like. If you have an opportunity to explain in a cover letter, do so. Or just be ready to answer why you are in the job market as you prepare for interviews.

Question: What is the most desirable type of resume these days: functional or chronological?

Sharon says: Based on the feedback I get from my HR colleagues, a chronological resume is the preferred format. It’s the most common and the easiest to read. It’s where you list your career experience in a reverse chronological order. In a functional resume, important skill sets and qualifications are presented under functional headings. Employment History is listed as a brief category.

Question: How do you start and organize a job search?

Sharon says: The first step is to assess what you have enjoyed in your work life so that you can better understand the situations in which you perform your best and are happiest. Then create a resume that will ‘sell’ you. Next, networking for research, feedback and support is vital to an effective job search. Since job offers are often the result of networking, building a network and understanding the power of strategic alliances is important. Finally, understand the 5 ways to search (networking/recruiters/internet/targeting/job fairs) and get going!

Question: How does someone currently employed and looking for other employment opportunities manage time to search for other jobs, and what level of disclosure is necessary at the current job when involved in the job search, especially when you need references?

Sharon says: This question touches on time management and appropriate workplace disclosures.

With regard to time management, it’s like anything else. If you really want to make time for it, you will. The good news about job search these days is you can be a passive job hunter on the Internet at 3:00 am. Or you can send out a quick e-mail to those in your network during a lunch hour.

I never think it’s wise to let a current employer know you are looking. Companies understand that you don’t give your current employer as a reference. They will check earlier references and often extend an offer pending a good reference from the current employer.

You have no obligation to notify your current boss of a job search. Most jurisdictions are covered by the Employment-at-Will doctrine – which means either party can break the relationship with no liability, provided there was no express contract for a definite term. In other words, you’re entitled to leave…and the employer is entitled to ask you to leave.

Question: Do you feel that taking a few years off to stay at home with a baby is understood differently in this day and age? How should this time be framed on a CV?

Sharon says: Absolutely! Life is meant to be more than work. I’ve seen women indicate that time clearly as time spent at home raising a family. Often time is spent in volunteer activities. That should be captured under the heading of community involvement.

Question: Are there any local, GP, career coach/resume writing/headhunter resources?

Sharon says: Thanks for asking, Mom! Seriously, for the record, I DID NOT plant this question. I’m a career coach/HR consultant/trainer. My contact info is below. Headhunters will find you!

Talk to you soon! Sharon@@sharonarmstrongandassociates.com