Inconsistencies in one's own biography? They can make applicants appear less goal-oriented and organized! It is particularly important to be able to explain such disruptions in the job interview or in the preceding phone call in a factual and convincing manner.
With breaks in the resume, it refers to gaps or inconsistencies in the biographies of job applicants. These can be gaps in the work history, frequent job changes, resignations, or interruptions such as dropping out of studies or probation periods. Many applicants perceive such a break in their resume as a stigma, a flaw in their career path that they would prefer to conceal.
The good news, however, is that gaps in resumes are becoming more common. In times of skills shortages, career changes, and lifelong learning, such a break does not necessarily have to be an obstacle to a professional career.
Digitalization and the emergence of new professional profiles also make it easier today to switch between different industries and occupations. The so-called "chimney career" - a steady rise within one employer - is no longer the prevailing model. Employees now change jobs more frequently, as well as their profession. They may be employed, self-employed, or engaged on a project basis.
Career is often "made" informally rather than meticulously planned. Besides talent, performance, and determination, a good portion of luck is usually part of a successful biography. Departments merge, and companies realign themselves. All of this requires flexibility.
How do I explain gaps in my resume?
Normally, you should not explicitly address the gaps in your resume in the cover letter unless the break or breaks were absolutely significant for your previous professional life. Otherwise, both the resume and the job interview provide enough room to explain the gaps.
For example, if you dropped out of a training program to take care of your grandparents, it demonstrates a sense of duty. If you traveled abroad for six months, it shows curiosity. These are positive qualities that many employers appreciate.
On the other hand, breaks can be associated with negative traits such as lack of ambition, unreliability, fickleness, inadequate discipline, and lack of perseverance. Some employers may make these associations, but not all.
Positive connotations
Since, as an applicant, you don't know which "camp" your recipient belongs to, you should primarily focus on highlighting all the positive aspects associated with the perceived breaks in your resume. It is possible that these gaps in your resume will be viewed as an important part of personal development. These can include international experiences as well as a deep interest in a specialized topic. Such experiences and competencies are highly valued by internationally oriented companies and are often preferred over formal qualifications.
Breaks in the resume usually indicate a diverse and extraordinary life journey. Some employers may immediately reject such resume individualists and career outliers. However, more and more employers also value a diverse workforce, "diversity," and expect it to bring creative impulses with high innovation potential. After all, those who have seen and experienced a lot are often more resilient and less easily shaken by crises.
Therefore, it is always worth indicating the reasons for the career changes and explaining any gaps in your resume. And when preparing for a phone call with the HR department or an in-person job interview, make sure to structure your arguments in a convincing and straightforward manner.
Which arguments are helpful during a job interview for resume gaps?
If economic problems or restructuring within your previous employer are evident, a termination can be understandable and argued accordingly during the job interview. Gaps of up to three months can also be justified as a short break between two professional positions.
Highly regarded: Staying at a company for about two years
In general, a tenure of two years per position is considered a good rule. However, especially at the beginning of one's career, such as after completing studies, an orientation phase is completely normal. It is possible for several short professional stints to occur one after another, and you should not let interviewers pressure you on this matter. If not at the beginning of your career, then when else should you "experiment" professionally? Recruiters are usually aware of this, but their inquiries are still legitimate.
How do I explain that I worked for a company for only a short period of time?
The most effective way to argue in favor of short tenures is to highlight subsequent positions, such as being offered a higher-level position or being recruited by another company or headhunters. In the case of short episodes, good work references are the best arguments. However, this only applies if you immediately moved on to another job without any gaps in your employment history. Otherwise, important facts must be presented as to why you voluntarily resigned without securing another job.
How long can a gap in the employment history be?
Stints lasting exactly three or six months, which correspond to the length of a probationary period, are highly suspicious and difficult to present positively during an interview, if you are even invited. In such cases, it is recommended to address the issue directly: The chemistry simply did not work. However, it is important to avoid placing sole blame on the employer. Attempting to portray the short stint as a success, potentially supported by an excellent work reference, often comes across as unbelievable. Nonetheless, a short stint does not necessarily constitute a significant break in your employment history.
Gaps slightly longer or shorter than the duration of a probationary period are generally better. They indicate that you quickly realized the position was not a good fit. In interviews, short stints can often be explained by the nature of the job, especially for engineers. For instance, as a recent graduate in construction engineering, you may have been initially attracted by the reputation of a prestigious company but soon realized that your technical development was limited due to primarily administrative tasks in the department.
What types of employment gaps exist?
Certainly, there are various reasons for a "hiccup" in one's career. Taking parental leave, for example, is now widely accepted and should not raise any concerns or further questions. However, a sabbatical requires a clear explanation from you, including details about how you utilized that time.
Gap due to illness
If you were absent from work for an extended period due to a serious illness, you do not need to disclose this to a prospective employer, as it is a private matter. It is sufficient to indicate the timeframe and state the reason, such as "Time off for health reasons." A suitable phrasing in your resume could be: "Time off for health reasons, now fully recovered and ready for employment."
Gap due to unemployment
If you were unemployed for up to three months, it is not necessary to mention it. Instead, you can describe it as a "Professional reorientation" or "Career change." The situation becomes problematic only if the unemployment lasted longer than six months or twelve months. In such cases, it is important to demonstrate that you were not idle but rather continued to apply for jobs, pursued further education, or had a clear professional goal. This can be justified by the low demand in the job market during that period.
Gaps due to terminations
Terminations are part of professional life as well. They only require an explanation when it is an employer-initiated termination. In such cases, you should explain the reasons that are not related to your behavior or work performance. For example, you could mention factors like the company's insolvency, a personal relocation to another city, or job cuts due to the Corona crisis (see below).
Pandemic: the "Corona Gap"
The so-called "Corona Gap" is well-known and accepted. If this applies to you, it is perfectly fine to cite it as the cause. However, as with any extended period of absence, you should be able to demonstrate that you have made productive use of the time, such as taking online courses and pursuing further education.
Emphasize personal growth
When asked about employment gaps during a job interview, it is important not to try to divert the topic. That will only raise suspicions that you have something to hide. Furthermore, you should present a concise and coherent explanation without going into too much detail. Going into too much detail might even be detrimental, as it could sound like a guilty conscience. Instead, emphasize the positive aspects, such as your newfound motivation and determination.
Establish a connection
It is important to demonstrate what you have gained from that period, what you have learned, and how you have expanded your skills and competencies. This proves that you can successfully overcome challenges. It is even more convincing if you explain how these experiences will help you excel in the desired job.
Maintain honesty regarding resume gaps
Regardless of how you argue your patchwork resume, never try to conceal the gap(s). Recruiters will immediately notice it. For instance, if you only provide the years instead of months in your resume, it will raise suspicion. Also, avoid fabricating information such as language courses, professional development, or international experiences that did not happen. If the bluff is exposed, it could lead to termination, and your reputation would be ruined. As always, honesty is the best policy in the long run!