In this article on how to justify a gap in your resume, I share with you some useful tips that will help you find a job that really suits you faster.
If you have had one or more periods of inactivity and you don’t know how to deal with them in the writing of your CV or during recruitment interviews, I invite you to follow the tips that I will present in this article.
Here is how to justify a more or less important gap in your resume.
1 – Add some details to your resume
If you want to maximize the success of your applications and avoid your resume ending up in the trash, it is in your best interest to reassure the recruiters directly with your personal resume.
At this stage, it is not necessary to give all the details of your life choices. Just explain what you did during this period.
Then, you can complete your application by highlighting what you learned during this period of inactivity.
But only do this if it seems relevant to the job description.
Here are some examples of gaps in the CV that are best explained:
- maternity, parental or sabbatical leave
- a long stay abroad
- a long period of unemployment
On the other hand, if the gap is related to health problems, it is better to leave out this information.
During the interview, on the other hand, you can mention that you had health problems without giving too many details.
If you are too honest, you may face discrimination and a lack of empathy.
In short, be sincere but always protect yourself!
2 – Get over the guilt
If you feel guilty about this period of inactivity and you don’t do anything to integrate it positively into your mind, you won’t feel comfortable during job interviews.
You feel guilty because you or someone else has made it clear that your choices were not good.
The meaning you have given to this event generates in you the feeling that you made a mistake even if this period was useful or allowed you to grow on a personal level.
The society in which we live does not help you and, on the contrary, contributes more to your unpleasant emotions. The people around you can also influence you negatively.
The only way to change what you are experiencing is to change the meaning you have given to your experience.
To do this, understand that you are partially influenced by the belief that we all have to have an uninterrupted career path.
This is an obsolete model that has its roots in an era of our humanity when people stayed in the same company all their lives.
Nowadays, the relationship to work has changed dramatically and work-life balance has become the new norm.
More and more people have gaps in their resumes because they value their passions, aspirations and dreams over the idea of being stuck in the same company until they retire.
Finally, focus on what this period has given to you. If you think about it enough, you’ll realize that this period of inactivity has helped you become a new person.
If you’re looking for more tips on this subject, I suggest you read my article on how to stop feeling guilty.
3 – Be confident during your interviews
The last tip is to be more self confident but also to evaluate yourself in a more objective way.
Doing this is essential to boost your self-esteem and dare to shine when facing recruiters.
Allow yourself to show that you are competent enough to get the job you are interested in.
To succeed in your job interview, try to keep eye contact with your interviewer.
Be the best version of yourself by being both confident and genuine.
If you are expecting questions that may make you feel uncomfortable, try to put yourself in the recruiter’s shoes, showing that you understand any doubts they may have but that you are ready to perform at your best.
At the same time, protect yourself and don’t share information that could work against you and undermine your efforts.
Regarding your presentation, confidently pitch your skills. Don’t make anything up, but emphasize what makes you unique.
Finally, try to learn from each interview to improve your presentation, your confidence level and your ability to use your non-verbal and paraverbal communication more effectively.
Conclusion on how to justify a gap in your resume
In this article, I have shared with you 3 tips that will help you get more interviews, feel more comfortable in interviews and maximize your chances of finding a job you can thrive in.
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Read this article in other languages
Français : Comment justifier un trou dans le CV
Italiano: Come giustificare un periodo di inattività nel curriculum