Gap on your resume? Here’s how to talk about it.

‘What should I do if I have a gap on my resume?’ is one of the most common career questions I get asked. And it’s an interesting question, for two reasons.

One, it implies there is something you can actually do about it. 

And two, it suggests there is something wrong with having a gap.

I'm not sure when this happened but somewhere along the way in our careers, we developed this belief that having a gap on your resume is a bad thing. 

As if any gap MUST represent something nefarious and therefore needs to be hidden.

Why do we care about the gap?

I've been pondering for a long time why we care about the gap. 

Why do we worry so much about having a gap on our resume, when 99% of the reasons people have the gap are completely innocent.

• I took time off to look after my kids.
• I took a break from my career.
• My family needed me so it made sense not to work for a bit.
• A relative was sick and I wanted to care for them.
• My role was made redundant.
• The job hunt took longer than expected.

None of these reasons are a poor reflection of you as an employee.

And yet, we still worry about the gap.

Here’s how to answer the ‘gap question’

I can’t change how you feel about ‘the gap’. Although I do genuinely hope we have a huge shift on this soon.

I can, however, give you a way of answering the ‘gap question’ which doesn’t feel awkward or make it look like you are hiding something.

The key to answering the ‘gap question’ is a strategy I call Focus and Flip.

If someone asks you about the gap on your resume you want to focus on their question and then flip the conversation.

Here’s an example

You are interviewing with a fintech company in their Marketing department. 

This company has recently expanded into 6 global markets of which you have extensive experience.

You haven’t worked for 6 months after the role at your previous company was made redundant. 

The hiring manager asks you why you haven't worked for the last 6 months.

Here’s how I would Focus and Flip this answer:

‘I left my last job after the role was made redundant. 

I loved my previous company but this has really given me a great opportunity to find a role where I can use my extensive experience working in global markets. 

I saw that you have recently expanded into 6 global markets that I have a lot of experience working in. I’m super excited about how I could use my experience to accelerate your success in these markets’

The key to Focus and Flip 

Let me break down this answer for you.

The first part is to acknowledge their question. Here I have chosen to address that my role was made redundant (notice I said the ROLE, not ME. Very important).

In the second part I am staying positive about my previous employer. No one wants to hear you bad mouth your previous employer.

Then I’ve flipped the question to talk about THEM. 

Firstly I make mention of my experience in global markets, which I already know is something they are looking for with this role.

And then I link my experience to their role and mention how I feel my experience can help accelerate their success in these markets.

By the time I've finished, we have actually moved on from the original question and are talking about the advertised role and how great I would be in it.

At this point, the conversation usually continues on. It is uncommon for people to come back and keep asking questions about the 6 months you haven’t been working.

But let’s say someone does…

Occasionally, you get a hiring manager who thinks ‘the gap’ is an issue and they keep asking questions. 

The key is to keep on with Focus and Flip.

Say they ask ‘but why were you made redundant?’.

Answer: Actually the role was made redundant, not me. As I said, it's an awesome company, but they needed to downsize due to the economic headwinds. But it was great for me. I'm excited for this new opportunity, especially when I saw this role that we are talking about today.

Or maybe they ask ‘why has it taken you so long to find a new role?’.

Answer: I didn't want to take any old job. I know I can add a ton of value for the right company and it’s important to me that I'm taking a role where I can have a real impact and make a difference. I think this is the role I can do that in. 

Again, we are acknowledging the question in a positive way and then flipping it around to focus on the opportunity in front of us. 

Focus and Flip! 

If you loved this strategy, then you’ll love the Creative Career Level Up programme. 

This programme has helped over 270 people in finding their next perfect role in Marketing and the Creative and Tech industries and is full of strategies like this one.