The unemployment rate is at an all time high and the finance industry has been hit particularly hard. So, odds are good that you will find yourself having to explain gaps in your employment.
Having a gap between jobs on your resume used to be a big deal. But, things have changed, and employment gaps are fairly common. Especially, in this tough economic era.
Even though it's common, it doesn't mean you shouldn't prepare for the questions you'll probably be asked during an interview. Gaps in your employment can sometimes be a red flag for employers. Here are some suggestions for how to explain gaps on your resume:
- Don't mention it - unless the interviewer brings it up, it probably isn't an issue. However, if it seems like it is a complete non-issue, this may mean that they aren't interested in finding out more about you.
- Show how you used your time - instead of showing an employment gap, fill in those time frames with what you did during the period. For example, you can include volunteer positions and times that you were in school. This will show that you used your time out of work to improve yourself.
- Be honest - while there are ways to spin your employment gap into a positive light, it's never a good idea to be dishonest. If you were fired from a job, admit it. If you get caught in a lie at this early stage, your credibility will be ruined.
- Find ways to fill the gaps - if you're out of work currently, look for ways to fill in the gaps. One of the things you can do is take classes. Use this time to work on updating your certifications or add some new ones. You may even want to learn a new language. You could also volunteer at a non-profit, not only does it give you same experience and networking opportunities, it aways is a good idea to give back to your community. If you aren't able to devote your time to these types of things, even something as simple as traveling, especially if it's to places that are relevant to your business, can give you something to fill in the gaps.
If you have gaps on your resume, don't panic. Just be sure that you have a well thought out answer for the question you're most likely going to be asked. So when the interviewer asks you what you did while you were unemployed, you will be ready with an impressive answer.
Are you looking for a job in finance? Check out FinancialJobBank.
By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.
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