Six Ways to Fill Up a Resume Gap

Have you ever had a big resume gap -- something like a year or more where you were unemployed? I haven't, but I've looked at enough resumes that have, and I tell you that it leaves a bad impression. It suggests that for a long time this person couldn't find ANYTHING to do, which doesn't reflect well on the candidate.

That's why US News suggests some six ideas for filling a resume gap as follows:

• Volunteer
• Be an Intern
• Start Your Own Company
• Travel
• Go Back to School
• Contract Work

My take on these:

• I love the idea of volunteering whether or not you're out of work. I know firsthand that it's a great way to advance your career.


• I like the intern idea, but I'm not sure it's practical for more experienced workers. "Intern" makes me think of someone 25 years old or less for some reason.


• Having your own side business is a great way to fill a resume gap, not to mention supplement your income at a time it's really needed. I've seen people fill in their resumes with this before and while it's clear that they weren't working in the "real world" it was also clear that they were enough of a go-getter that they didn't sit around until just the right job came along.


• Travel? Really? I think the last thing I'd want to do once my cash flow stopped was to add an unnecessary expense.


• Going back to school is fine IMO, but again it's an added expense at a time when you might be watching your finances closely. And don't use school as just a time-filler until you find a job -- be sure the schooling actually advances your career in some way.


• I like the idea of finding contract work. It will take some hustle, but certainly can be done. In fact, one way to soften the blow of a layoff is to ask your employer if there's any contract work you can do for them (ask this at the time you receive your notice.) This will bring in some extra cash and effectively eliminate the gap on your resume, allowing you more time to find a new full-time job.

One thing I'd add to this conversation is that you need to be ready to incorporate any of these quickly once you lose your job. If you wait six months and then start volunteering, you've just created a six-month gap in your resume. Start something within a week or two -- a month at the most -- just to get something that can fill the void until you land on your feet.

Of course you still need time to look for a job, so you can't volunteer (or whatever) 40 hours a week.

And perhaps the "resume gap" is less of a problem these days since the economy has been so bad for so long (and so many have been out of work for so long.) Maybe a resume gap doesn't have the stigma it once did. That said, there's no harm (and likely some benefit) to remaining active and filling any potential resume gap you might run into.

Comments

[Cecilia]

I think people need to rethink what "intern" means. Many people have gone back to graduate school well after age 25, and lots of different programs (the best ones, in my opinion) require at least one practicum or intern experience. It doesn't imply that it's an inexperienced young person anymore. I think it's perfectly practical for experienced workers. It's a great way to get your foot in the door, during the interview you explain it as an opportunity you chose to persue to build relationships and get an in-depth look at a certain agency/field, and it shows you are a go-getter who always wants to be learning. It certainly looks better than having a gap.

[Mary Kay]

I have heard s few times that people that are hiring aren't even looking at those that have been out of work for six months or more. I think today you'd better keep busy. A sad state of affairs. i unfortunately know people that think the kinds of jobs they lost a couple of years ago will once again be offered to them. I don't think that is so and it's time for a reality check for those people.

[angie]

I have been out of professional work for almost 2 years now. Being out of work so long I can't afford to intern or volunteer. I work 40 hours a week in supervisory retail role but that means nothing to an engineering world. I certainly believe that employers aren't even looking at the resumes of those who are out of work. I've applied to hundreds of jobs and only received 4 phone calls. My husband (who is currently working) has applied to 4 jobs in 2 months, had 2 phone interviews, and one offer. We are both engineers from the same school.