The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented disruption to the job market, leading to widespread layoffs, furloughs, and employment gaps for many workers. If you’re one of the millions of people who have experienced an employment gap due to the pandemic, you may be wondering how to address it on your resume.
The good news is that there are several strategies you can use to address employment gaps on your resume and present yourself in the best possible light to potential employers. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most effective ways to address pandemic-related employment gaps on your resume.
Be Honest and Transparent
The first and most important step in addressing an employment gap is to be honest and transparent about it. There’s no need to feel ashamed or embarrassed about a pandemic-related employment gap, as it’s a common and understandable situation that many people are experiencing.
On your resume, be sure to include the dates of your employment, including the months and years. If you have a significant employment gap, acknowledge it and briefly explain the reason for the gap. For example, you might write “Employment gap due to COVID-19 pandemic” or “Furloughed due to pandemic-related business closures.”
Emphasize Transferable Skills and Accomplishments
Even if you weren’t employed during the pandemic, you likely gained valuable skills and experience through other activities, such as volunteering, freelance work, or online training. Be sure to highlight these transferable skills and accomplishments on your resume.
For example, if you volunteered at a food bank during the pandemic, you might emphasize skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and customer service. If you completed online training courses, you might highlight your new skills and knowledge.
Use a Functional Resume Format
If you have a significant employment gap, you may want to consider using a functional resume format instead of a traditional chronological format. A functional resume emphasizes your skills and accomplishments rather than your employment history, which can help to downplay an employment gap.
In a functional resume, you’ll organize your experience by skill or function rather than by employer or date. For example, you might have sections such as “Project Management Experience,” “Sales Experience,” or “Customer Service Experience.”
Highlight Pandemic-Related Accomplishments
If you did work during the pandemic, be sure to highlight any pandemic-related accomplishments on your resume. For example, if you worked in healthcare, you might emphasize your experience in treating COVID-19 patients or helping to manage a pandemic response team. If you worked in retail, you might highlight your experience in implementing safety protocols or managing inventory shortages.
Be Prepared to Discuss the Employment Gap
Finally, be prepared to discuss your pandemic-related employment gap in job interviews. Be honest and transparent about the situation, and emphasize the skills and experience you gained during the gap. Employers will be looking for candidates who are adaptable, resilient, and able to learn new skills quickly, so be sure to emphasize these qualities during the interview.
In conclusion, pandemic-related employment gaps are a common and understandable situation that many workers are experiencing. By being honest and transparent, emphasizing transferable skills and accomplishments, using a functional resume format, highlighting pandemic-related accomplishments, and being prepared to discuss the gap in job interviews, you can successfully address employment gaps on your resume and present yourself as a strong candidate to potential employers.
Suggested reading: “The Resume Writing Guide: A Step-by-Step Workbook for Writing a Winning Resume” by Lisa McGrimmon. This product is a comprehensive guide to writing effective resumes and includes practical advice, worksheets, and examples. With its easy-to-follow format and helpful guidance, this book is a great resource for job seekers who want to create a strong and effective resume.
Disclosure: Some of the links to products on this blog are affiliate links (paid link). It simply means, at no additional cost to you, I’ll earn a commission if you click through and buy any product.