"How to Explain a Gap in Your Resume"

Career gaps happen. People get sick. Companies fold. Life happens.

The good news: gaps matter less than they used to. The bad news: you still need to explain them well.

Here’s how to handle resume gaps without killing your chances.

Why Gaps Concern Employers

Employers worry about:

• Were you fired and couldn’t find work?
• Are your skills outdated?
• Will you leave again quickly?
• Is there something you’re hiding?

Your job is to address these concerns without making excuses.

Be Honest

Don’t try to hide gaps or fudge dates. Employers check. Background checks are standard.

If you’re caught in a lie – even a small one – you’re done. Better to explain a gap honestly than get caught trying to cover it.

Common Gaps and How to Explain Them

Redundancy/layoff:
“The company restructured and my role was made redundant. I took some time to be thoughtful about my next move rather than jumping into anything.”

Health issues:
“I had a health matter I needed to address. It’s resolved now and I’m ready to return to work fully committed.”

Family/caring responsibilities:
“I took time to care for [family member]. That period has ended and I’m fully available for this role.”

Couldn’t find work:
“The market was tough in my field during that period. I used the time to [upskill/volunteer/consult] while continuing to search.”

Travel:
“I took a planned career break to travel. It was a one-time opportunity and I’m now ready to focus on my career long-term.”

Turn Gaps into Positives

If you did anything productive during your gap, mention it:

• Online courses or certifications
• Freelance or consulting work
• Volunteering
• Caring responsibilities (shows character)
• Travel (if it added perspective)

Keep It Brief

Explain the gap, but don’t dwell on it. Give a clear, confident explanation, then move the conversation back to your qualifications.

Interviewers often take their cues from you. If you seem defensive or embarrassed, they’ll think there’s something to worry about. If you’re matter-of-fact and confident, they’ll move on.

What About COVID Gaps?

Everyone understands COVID gaps. If your employment gap was 2020-2022, most employers won’t think twice. The whole market was disrupted.

A simple “I was affected by COVID-related redundancies, like many people” is sufficient.

If you’re worried about how to explain your career gap, book a session. We’ll craft your explanation together and practice until it sounds natural.