If you have been out of work for a period of time, you will have to address the employment gap in your resume.
Instead of focusing on what caused the unemployment, use your resume to spotlight how your time off has allowed you to acquire new skills and cultivate new professional contacts.
Heather Krasna, Career Coach and Assistant Dean of Career Services at Columbia University gives you her recommendations for resume writing when you have an employment gap in this video.
Here is a summary of her tips:
- Fill the gap by volunteering.
- Take a class to keep your skills fresh.
- Emphasize your relevant skills.
Avoid these resume mistakes:
- Don’t exaggerate dates on your resume to extend the duration of your last job: Lying in a resume is never a good option
- Don’t sell yourself short: If you volunteered and helped an organization with a fundraising event, include this in your resume! If you achieved something, take credit for it.
- Don’t forget to network: Send your resume to everyone you know who may be able to connect you with your dream job. You never know from where a good lead can come.