Do You Put Unemployment on a Resume?

When creating or updating your resume, one of the most daunting aspects for many job seekers is handling periods of unemployment. While it's natural to have gaps in your work history for various reasons—whether due to personal circumstances, the pursuit of further education, a career change, or even a temporary layoff—the big question remains: Do you put unemployment on a resume?

Unemployment periods are often seen as a potential negative by job seekers, as they can raise concerns for hiring managers. However, they don't have to be viewed as a detractor. How you handle and present these gaps can determine whether an employer sees them as a disadvantage or as a sign of resilience, adaptability, and self-improvement.

In this article, we’ll explore the different ways you can handle unemployment on your resume, whether you should include it, and how to frame it in a positive light that aligns with your overall career goals.

1. Should You Include Unemployment on Your Resume?

The short answer is yes, you should include unemployment on your resume, but with some caveats. While it might be tempting to omit an unemployment gap, doing so can backfire. Hiring managers are likely to notice unexplained gaps in your resume and may be left wondering about your employment history.

Omitting an unemployment period or trying to hide it by stretching employment dates is often seen as dishonest. Hiring managers can typically spot inconsistencies, and dishonesty on your resume is one of the quickest ways to get rejected from consideration.

Instead of trying to mask gaps, address them head-on in a professional manner. A brief explanation about what you were doing during that period can make all the difference. Moreover, even if you weren’t employed full-time during that gap, chances are you gained valuable skills that can still be relevant to the role you're applying for.

2. How to Present Unemployment Periods on a Resume

While you shouldn't hide unemployment gaps, how you present them is key. There are several ways to handle this on your resume to ensure it comes across positively.

Use a Functional Resume Format

One of the most effective ways to deal with unemployment gaps is by using a functional resume format instead of a traditional chronological one. A functional resume emphasizes skills and qualifications over work history and dates, which can help downplay the impact of any gaps.

With a functional resume, you can group your achievements and skills into categories, allowing you to highlight your strengths without drawing attention to specific gaps in your employment history.

Highlight Freelance or Temporary Work

If you were freelancing, consulting, or doing any temporary or part-time work during your unemployment period, you should definitely include that on your resume. Even if the work was not directly related to your previous position or the role you’re seeking, it can demonstrate that you remained active, productive, and engaged during the gap.

For example, if you were between jobs and took on freelance writing assignments or worked as a contractor in your industry, make sure that this is reflected under the work experience section of your resume. This shows potential employers that you were still honing skills or gaining new experience, which is much more impressive than an unexplained gap.

Mention Volunteering or Personal Projects

Another way to deal with unemployment periods is to include volunteering or personal projects in your resume. If you were involved in non-profit work, mentoring, or personal development during your unemployment period, these can be listed as work experience.

For instance, if you spent a few months volunteering at a local charity or leading a community project, those experiences can provide proof of your skills in leadership, communication, and time management. Similarly, personal projects—whether you were building a website, learning a new programming language, or developing a small business—demonstrate self-motivation and initiative.

These experiences are highly relevant to potential employers as they show that you were still contributing to your community or furthering your professional development even while not employed full-time.

Use a Clear and Honest Explanation

In some cases, it might make sense to include a brief explanation of the reason for your unemployment. This is especially true if your gap was due to health issues, taking care of a family member, or going back to school. For example, you could add a note under the employment history section that reads:

• "Took time off to focus on personal health recovery"

• "Cared for a family member"

• "Returned to school to complete a professional certification"

A brief explanation in your resume or a cover letter can provide context and prevent hiring managers from making assumptions. However, remember that while an explanation can be helpful, it’s best to keep it concise and focus more on how you remained engaged during the gap rather than the specific reasons for it.

3. How to Explain Unemployment Gaps in Your Cover Letter

While your resume should contain brief explanations and relevant details about the gap, your cover letter is an opportunity to expand on the story. Here, you can explain why you took time off and what you learned or achieved during your unemployment.

For example, if you took time off to pursue further education or a professional development course, you could mention how that period allowed you to acquire new skills that directly benefit the role you're applying for. Or, if you were involved in freelance work or consulting, explain how this experience enabled you to expand your knowledge and gain hands-on experience in your field.

4. Emphasize Skills Acquired During Unemployment

During your unemployment period, there’s a strong chance you acquired new skills or enhanced existing ones. Maybe you learned a new software program, became proficient in a new language, or volunteered in a way that developed your leadership abilities. These new skills are valuable to potential employers, so make sure to showcase them on your resume.

If you took online courses or attended workshops during your unemployment period, list these certifications and training programs under the "Education" or "Professional Development" sections of your resume. Employers will appreciate the effort you put into improving your skill set during your time away from the workforce.

5. Consider Using an "Unemployed but Active" Section

Another option is to create a section titled "Unemployed but Active" or "Professional Development During Employment Gap." This section can detail activities you engaged in during your time off, including freelance work, volunteer roles, professional courses, and skills development. This allows you to proactively address the unemployment period while showing that you didn’t sit idle.

Example:

Professional Development During Employment Gap (Jan 2020 - Oct 2021)

• Completed Google Analytics certification

• Volunteered as a project manager for local non-profit, overseeing a team of 10 people

• Developed a personal blog focused on digital marketing strategies

• Participated in a coding boot camp to enhance skills in JavaScript and Python

This section can be particularly helpful if you had an extended period of unemployment, as it shows how you stayed productive and continued developing your skills during the gap.

6. Focus on Achievements and Skills, Not Dates

Whether you are using a functional or chronological resume, focusing on achievements and skills rather than dates can help minimize the impact of an unemployment gap. When you focus on what you accomplished in each role and what skills you bring to the table, employers are more likely to see the value you can offer, regardless of the timeline.

For example, instead of just listing your job titles and responsibilities, provide a brief description of your accomplishments, such as:

• "Reduced operational costs by 20% by implementing new process efficiencies"

• "Increased website traffic by 50% through targeted social media campaigns"

• "Led a team of 5 in the successful launch of a new product line"

By emphasizing these achievements, you give employers a better understanding of the value you can bring to their organization, making the gap in your work history less important.

7. Don’t Overemphasize the Gap

While you should address the gap, it’s important not to dwell on it. Employers want to focus on your current skills and how you can contribute to their company. Keep your explanation concise and move on quickly to discussing your qualifications, skills, and the positive aspects of your career.

Conclusion

Unemployment periods don’t have to be seen as a career setback. With the right approach, you can effectively deal with unemployment on your resume by being honest, focusing on the skills and experience you gained, and demonstrating how you’ve used that time productively. Whether through freelance work, volunteering, pursuing additional education, or simply taking the time to focus on personal growth, the key is to frame the gap in a way that shows your commitment to professional development.

Remember, employers are looking for candidates who can contribute to their teams and bring value. By focusing on the positive aspects of your time away from the workforce, you can minimize the impact of unemployment gaps and present yourself as a strong, capable candidate ready to take on new challenges.