How to Deal with Unemployed Periods on Your Resume

Periods of unemployment are a natural part of many careers, whether due to personal reasons, health issues, the pursuit of new opportunities, or market conditions such as economic downturns. However, when it comes to updating your resume, these periods can raise concerns. Hiring managers often look for consistent work history, and unexplained gaps in employment can sometimes raise red flags. That being said, it’s essential to approach these periods with honesty and tact, framing them in a way that highlights how you've utilized the time productively and how your experiences during these periods can add value to your future employer.

In this article, we’ll explore how to effectively deal with unemployed periods on your resume. We will also provide tips on how to fill in gaps, highlight relevant activities, and frame your time off as a positive aspect of your career journey.

1. Be Honest About the Unemployed Period

The first and most important step in dealing with periods of unemployment on your resume is honesty. Trying to hide or falsify the reasons for a gap in employment can quickly backfire. Employers have become increasingly adept at identifying inconsistencies in resumes, and fabricating dates or omitting gaps may cause them to question your credibility.

Instead of trying to obscure the truth, it’s better to address the gaps openly. If you’ve been out of work due to personal reasons, health challenges, or family obligations, state this truthfully but without oversharing. It’s important to be professional in how you explain the gap. For example:

• Personal reasons: "Took time off to focus on personal development and family commitments."

• Health issues: "On medical leave for health-related reasons, now fully recovered and eager to contribute to the workforce."

• Caring for a loved one: "Took time to care for a sick relative, now available to re-enter the workforce."

Being honest about your circumstances will show integrity and professionalism to hiring managers.

2. Focus on Transferable Skills Acquired During the Gap

Even though you may not have been employed during a particular period, there are likely skills and experiences that you gained during the time off that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. Whether you took part in freelance work, personal projects, volunteering, or even self-directed learning, these activities can be valuable and worth including on your resume.

Freelance or Contract Work

If you took on freelance or contract work during your unemployment, even if it was outside of your core career, you can include this experience on your resume. It shows initiative and the ability to stay productive and self-motivated. Be sure to frame it in a way that demonstrates the skills you honed, such as project management, client relations, or any relevant technical skills.

Volunteering and Community Service

Many individuals use unemployed periods to give back to their communities. Volunteering shows a strong sense of responsibility, dedication, and empathy. These qualities are highly valued by employers. Include any volunteer work on your resume, emphasizing skills you gained or used, such as event planning, leadership, or teamwork.

Example: "Volunteered as a project coordinator for a local non-profit, successfully managing a team of volunteers and coordinating fundraising events."

Learning and Professional Development

In the modern job market, employers value continuous learning and development. If you took courses, completed certifications, or attended workshops during your time off, make sure to include these on your resume. This shows hiring managers that you were committed to staying current with industry trends and improving your skill set during your time away from work.

Example: "Completed a certification in digital marketing, including training in Google Analytics and SEO best practices."

Side Projects or Entrepreneurship

Some professionals use periods of unemployment to explore entrepreneurial endeavors, side projects, or startups. If you have been involved in any projects like building a website, launching a blog, or even managing a small business, these can all be framed as valuable experiences that demonstrate your initiative, problem-solving skills, and entrepreneurial mindset.

Example: "Launched a freelance graphic design business, successfully securing clients and managing design projects from concept to delivery."

3. Use a Functional Resume Format

One of the most effective ways to deal with unemployment gaps is to use a functional resume format. Unlike a chronological resume, which highlights your work history in reverse order, a functional resume focuses on your skills and qualifications rather than the timeline of your employment.

This format is particularly useful if you have significant gaps in your work history that might stand out to employers. By emphasizing your skills and achievements rather than the dates of employment, you allow the hiring manager to focus on what you can bring to the table rather than when you worked.

For example, instead of listing your most recent job and showing that you were unemployed after it, a functional resume would focus on your core competencies, such as leadership, project management, or technical skills, grouping your experience into specific skill areas.

4. Address the Gap in Your Cover Letter

While your resume is a document designed to highlight your professional achievements and qualifications, your cover letter provides an opportunity to explain your personal career story in more depth. If you have an employment gap, this is a good place to briefly address it and explain how you’ve stayed active during the time off. Keep your explanation concise, professional, and positive.

For example, you might say something like: "During the past year, I took time off to care for a family member. During that time, I remained engaged with my profession by taking online courses in project management and volunteering with a local non-profit organization. I’m now ready to transition back into the workforce and leverage my skills in a new role."

By being transparent in your cover letter, you can help employers better understand your career path while demonstrating that you're eager and ready to return to work.

5. Focus on Achievements, Not Dates

When listing your past job experiences, emphasize your achievements and contributions rather than focusing on dates. This approach can downplay the significance of gaps in your employment history. Hiring managers are often more interested in what you accomplished in your previous roles than the specific time periods you were employed.

For instance, if you had a long tenure at a previous company and then took time off, you could focus on your major accomplishments during your employment, such as leading a successful project, improving processes, or contributing to the company’s growth. This allows you to highlight your value to the organization rather than dwell on the time gap.

6. Use the Unemployment Period to Showcase Growth and Development

Another way to approach unemployment gaps on your resume is to showcase how the period off work helped you grow. If the reason for your unemployment was related to personal development, self-care, or even traveling for cultural exposure, you can frame it as an opportunity for growth.

Hiring managers understand that personal growth experiences can have a positive impact on a person’s professional skills. If you spent time traveling or working on personal projects, you could highlight how those experiences have helped you develop skills like adaptability, independence, and problem-solving.

For example: "Took a six-month sabbatical to travel and immerse myself in new cultures, gaining a broader perspective on business practices and improving my communication skills."

7. Use LinkedIn and Online Networking to Show Activity

Another way to address employment gaps is by being active on platforms like LinkedIn. If you've been involved in freelance work, online learning, or any other activities, regularly updating your LinkedIn profile can show hiring managers that you’ve stayed engaged and committed to your career.

In addition to updating your profile, consider publishing content, joining industry groups, or attending webinars. This allows you to build a network, stay up to date with industry trends, and show potential employers that you've remained active during your unemployment period.

8. Consider Temporary or Part-Time Roles

If the gap in your employment history is substantial, you may want to consider applying for temporary or part-time roles to re-enter the workforce. These types of positions can allow you to ease back into your career, while also filling the gap on your resume. Even if the position is not directly in line with your ultimate career goals, it provides an opportunity to demonstrate your skills and reestablish yourself in the job market.

Conclusion

Unemployment gaps are a common part of many professionals’ career journeys, and dealing with these periods on your resume can be challenging. However, it’s important to approach them in a positive and constructive way. By focusing on your skills, highlighting relevant activities, and explaining your career path thoughtfully, you can minimize the impact of gaps in your employment history.

Be honest about the gap, but also focus on the positives: transferable skills, achievements, volunteer work, or personal development. The way you address unemployment periods on your resume can demonstrate resilience, adaptability, and an eagerness to move forward in your career. By following the strategies outlined in this article, you can effectively manage unemployment gaps on your resume and show potential employers that you are ready to contribute to their organization.