Q & A: Long Gap In Between Jobs
Q: I've been out of work for about 10 months. I'm really concerned about how potential employers will see this long gap between jobs. Are there any ways I can add a positive spin or at least diminish any negative feelings they might have about it?
A: As so often happens, there's some good news and bad news.
First the bad news. As you probably know, the rate of unemployment is, at the time of this post's publication, low. Employers might question why you have such a long gap between jobs when others have no problem getting hired. In such a robust employee-based economy, they may wonder what's wrong with YOU.
Now the good news. It's not unusual for many professionals to have gaps between jobs. If you're lower-paid professional (e.g. food service, retail or assembly), your gaps would likely be shorter than a higher-paid professional (e.g. manager or executive). But no matter where you are in the professional ranks, there are ways to your gap between jobs look better.
Resume. There are many ways to highlight your accomplishments on your resume while diminishing the gap between jobs. While The Daily Machete's RESUME ARCHIVES have a lot of information on this, here are two suggestions: showcase any professional development or education you've undertaken during the gap; and highlight your volunteer or freelance work during this period. Be sure to check out this Monday's post to learn a few more techniques on handling long work gaps on your resume, too
Job Interviews. There are many ways to lessen the negative impact of a long work gap when you're on job interviews. There's a lot of great information on how to do so, in fact, in the INTERVIEWING ARCHIVES here on The Daily Machete. One successful technique to consider using is to mention your achievements leading to a realization that you need an improvement, followed by how you addressed it during your work gap. For instance: "Even though I was able to grow company revenue by $2million, I was sure I could have done better. And, while I've been out of work, I decided to take a management refresher class. Now I know how I could have made even more money for the company - and I'd like to put that knowledge to use for you." Be sure to check out the interviewing post this coming Thursday (the Thanksgiving post) for more ways to handle long job gaps during job interviews.
IN THE CARAVAN: Many people experience long gaps between jobs. There are ways, however to spin most work gaps into positives.
NEXT FRIDAY: Romantic Workplace Troubles
Check
out last Friday's post on tuition reimbursement.
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