How to Explain and Make the Most of an Employment Gap

How to Explain and Make the fruchtwein of an Employment Gap How to Explain - and Make the Most of - an Employment Gap Career-orientated people dont make a habit of missing work, but sometimes thingsbeyond our control canpull us out of the workforce.Anyone can face an employment gap, but women are especially prone to them, which can exacerbate the wage gap, contribute to low numbers of women in the C-suite, and leave younger women without female mentors and advisors in the workforce. Part of the reason for this is biological. We have the babies, after all, so it is normal for us to take extended maternity leave or stay home with our children for several years. (That said, both paternity leave and stay-at-home dads are becoming more visible.) Whats more, according to the Family Caregiver Alliance, women may account for as much as 75 percent of all family caregivers.Having children, caring for an elderly or sick family member, and/or being laid off are all legitimate reasons to have an employment gap on your resume. In general, employers understand these absences are circumstantial and dont reflect poorly on your work ethic or professionalism. However, it isstill important that you explain the gap to future employers, framing it as positively as possible.For example, when I introduce a job candidate with a resume gap, Im sure to highlight any work the candidatedid during their absence that could be relevant to the new role.That work could take the form ofserving as a consultant to their previous company, doing volunteer work, or taking classes. If you werent able to do any of those things during your employment gap, just be honest and positive about what you were doing. For exampleMy dad became ill and needed my help, so I took a leave of absence to care for him. Things are great now, though, and Im eager to jump right in and focus on my career again. Im ready to put all of my energy into my job to make a real difference.Make the Most of Your Time OffIf yo u are facing any time off in the future - whether as the result of a layoff or by design - there are things you can do during yourgap time to keep your attitude strong and make your eventual reentry into the workforce smoother1. Stay Engaged in Your IndustryWhen possible, do paid or pro bono work related to your field, stay in touch with your professional network, and keep abreast of whats happening in your industry. These actions will not only ease your return into the workforce but also fuel your self-esteem. Feeling out of the loop can lead to a loss of confidence, but you can maintain your psychological and professional strengthby staying engaged with your field even while youre out of work.2. VolunteerWorking with philanthropic organizations looks great on your resume. More importantly, it helps others, and it can be tremendously gratifying.3. Maintaina Consistent RoutineThis is especially important if youve been laid off and are actively looking for a job. Get up early and p retend youre going to work, even if youre actually just going to a coffee shop to research and apply for jobs. Plan to meet two people in your field each week for coffee to network or build new relationships. Maintaining your career mindset is critical to making a smooth transition back into the workforce.4. Get Your Resume Into ShapeYou may not have needed it for a while, so take time now to update your resume, adding in any industry and volunteer activities youre engaged in currently. If youre actively looking for a job, then share your resume with your contacts. If not,your resume will at least be ready when you launch your search5. Research RecruitersAs you prepare to go back to work, identify a recruitment firm (or multiple firms) that might be able to help you find the right opportunity. Most recruiters are paid by the employer, not the candidate, so youcould have someone looking out for you at no charge. Finda recruiter who is responsive, engaged, and interested in supporting your career goals.- Dont let an employment gap on your resume hold you back from pursuing a new career opportunity. Just be honest about your situation and show potential employers how committed and enthusiastic you are about getting back to work. You will find the right fitAriel Schur, LCSW, is CEO and founder of ABS Staffing Solutions.