Pongo Resume

Nobody follows a seamless, unbroken career path. Just doesn't happen. Logically, it follows that everyone will eventually have an employment gap to explain at a job interview. And there's a simple, three-step method to explain this to your potential employer: acknowledge, reassure, and redirect.

Here's how it works:

1. ACKNOWLEDGE
   Describe the situation very briefly and factually, and acknowledge that it is a valid concern. Keep your emotions out of it. Don't be detailed, defensive, or apologetic. Just stick to the facts.
   
   Example:
   Between 1999 and 2003, I was _____.  I can understand that the situation might concern you, Mr. Smith.
    
2. REASSURE
   Explain what steps you took to resolve the problem that caused the gap. The employer's main concern is that you will turn out to be a bad hire, so reassure them that there is no risk of similar problems in the future.
   
   Example:
   During that time, I am proud to say that I ____. In retrospect, it was an extraordinary experience that taught me many positive lessons. And now, with that chapter closed, I'm ready to take on my next challenge.
    
3. REDIRECT
   Finish your explanation with a question about the job, or a statement about your more recent accomplishments to steer the conversation back to your positive qualifications for the job at hand.
   
   Example:
   My ____ experience seems like excellent preparation for the challenges of this position. What are the most important goals you'd like the person who fills this role to accomplish in the first three to six months?

This method is useful whether your issue is a voluntary or involuntary employment gap, a past medical crisis, a criminal record, or anything in between. Basically, any sort of potentially negative news can be addressed in this manner. And remember, you're not alone. No matter what caused that gap in your resume, lots of other people have been in the same situation and gone back to gainful employment. You will, too.

Have you ever convinced an employer to look beyond a gap in your employment history and landed the job? Tell us about your experience.

RELATED LINKS
So, about This Gap in Your Resume …
Writing a Resume When You Haven't Worked for Years
Has Caring for a Loved One Left a Gap in Your Resume?
Job Searching with an Imperfect Past or Criminal Record

What can you say if you just couldn't find work for a long period of time?

I understand you can use this if you had done some volunteer work or were taking care of family during the gap, but it doesn't seem to work with unemployment.

I was wondering what if you stayed with your job for more than 10 years. Your ready to move on to a new job, but you know your previous employer wont put in a good word for you.

Linda, the fact that you were employed for 10 years at the same company is proof of your value to the firm. You could also provide copies of previous performance reviews in place of a voice reference. In doing so you could explain that your previous employer is unlikely to provide a reference because they don't like it when anyone leaves the firm.

Also try to use a reference from someone who left the firm who may have been your peer.

I was only unemployed for nine months what kind of explanation should I use for doing odd jobs and a lot of work around the house plus some babysitting.

@Terry and (belatedly) @Jimmie

Just answer truthfully. The Acknowledge-Reassure-Redirect method can be adapted for any scenario. Let's say the interviewers asks what you were doing between, say May 2006 and July 2007.

You might say something like:

"Yes that was a bit of a gap, wasn't it? When I was let go from XYC Company, I wanted to make sure my next position would be a better fit. I also took the opportunity to [fill in the blank.... spend time with family/ renovate my house/ finish some projects around the house / work with friends on odd jobs, etc.] I did a lot of thinking, evaluated my options, and realized this was the right direction for me. My job search led me here, and I'm very excited about this opportunity. Can you tell me more about the ___ aspects of the job?"

Hope that helps! Julie

I lost my 120K IT job just over a year and a half ago. I was a government contractor providing IT support and software development. I was with my last company for just over 10 years, and supported the government agency for over 16 years. Since my layoff (the company size made us ineligible to continue on the contract) I earned two certifications, including my PMP, and started work on my MBA. Oh, and my first son was born a year ago, so I've been a stay at home dad as well. Most interviewers seem to accept the way I've used my time, but the longer you go, the more disconnected you become from the workplace. Even the best skills start getting rusty. In my situation, my primary technical skill is no longer in demand (almost zero, in fact), so I plan to obtain another IT certification in an area I know fairly well to show that I've attempted to update my skills.

Any way you look at it, an extended period of unemployment is difficult to overcome, especially when you over 40.