Your resume is often your first opportunity to make a positive impression on potential employers especially in dynamic sectors like the payments industry. It's a document that showcases your skills, experiences, and qualifications. However, what happens when your resume contains gaps in your work history? Whether it's due to personal reasons, a career change, or unexpected circumstances, managing resume gaps can be challenging. Here we explore insights from top payments industry recruiters on how to effectively address these gaps to help you stand out to potential employers.
Be Honest and Upfront
The first rule of addressing gaps in your resume is honesty. Never try to hide or make excuses for these gaps. Employers appreciate transparency and candor. Instead, explain the reasons for the gaps in a clear and concise way. Whether you took time off to care for a family member, pursue further education, or experienced a period of unemployment, provide a brief but truthful explanation on your resume.
For example, if you took a year off to travel and gain life experiences, you might write: "Took a year off to explore new cultures and gain valuable life experiences." This shows that you weren't idle during that time and can even demonstrate personal growth and adaptability.
Highlight Your Skills and Experience
Even if you weren't working in a traditional job during the gaps in your resume, you still possess valuable skills and experiences that are relevant to the position you're applying for. Take the time to identify and emphasize these skills. Consider the following:
Volunteer Work
Mention any volunteer work you did during your gap periods. Highlight the skills you gained and the impact you made. This demonstrates your commitment to staying engaged and contributing to your community.
Freelance or Gig Work
If you freelanced, consulted, or took on part-time gigs, showcase these experiences. Explain the projects you worked on, the skills you utilized, and the results you achieved.
Online Courses and Certifications
If you took online courses or earned certifications during your gap, include them on your resume. This demonstrates your dedication to staying updated, a crucial aspect in the ever-evolving payments industry.
Use a Resume Format that Minimizes Gaps
When dealing with substantial gaps in your employment history, consider using a functional resume format. Unlike the traditional chronological format, a functional resume focuses on your skills and experience rather than your work history. This can be advantageous because it shifts the employer's attention away from the gaps and toward your qualifications.
In a functional resume, create sections dedicated to skills, accomplishments, and relevant qualifications. Use bullet points to detail your achievements and responsibilities in previous roles, even if they weren't continuous. This format allows you to present yourself as a strong candidate despite the gaps.
Sharpen Your Interview Skills
During job interviews, be prepared to address questions about the gaps in your resume. Link your gap period experiences to the job requirements, showcasing your readiness and motivation to rejoin the workforce, especially in a dynamic field like the payments industry.
Stay Positive
Focus on what you learned and how you grew during your gap periods. Avoid dwelling on negative aspects, if any.
Relate to the Job
Connect your gap experiences to the skills and qualities that make you a suitable candidate for the position.
Show Motivation
Express your enthusiasm for returning to work and your eagerness to contribute to the prospective employer's success.
Be Brief
Keep your explanations concise and to the point. Long-winded responses may raise unnecessary red flags.
Conclusion
Managing gaps in your resume can be a challenging aspect of the job search process, but it's essential to approach it with honesty, confidence, and a focus on your skills and experiences. By being upfront about the gaps, highlighting your relevant abilities, using an appropriate resume format, and practicing your interview skills, you can present yourself as a strong candidate and overcome any concerns employers may have about your employment history. Remember, gaps in your resume don't define your worth or potential as an employee; it's how you manage and present them that matters most.
For personalized advice on presenting resume gaps or to explore your next career move within the payments sector, reach out to our expert payment recruiters at Dexterous. We are here to guide you towards your professional goals.
FAQs from Payments Industry Recruiters
Q: How should I address gaps in my resume due to personal reasons?
A: Be honest and provide a brief, truthful explanation, such as taking time off to care for a family member or pursue further education.
Q: Can volunteer work help cover gaps in my resume?
A: Yes, mentioning volunteer work and the skills gained during that time demonstrates your commitment to staying engaged and contributing to your community.
Q: Is a functional resume format better for minimizing gaps?
A: A functional resume focuses on your skills and experience rather than your work history, which can help shift the employer's attention away from gaps.
Q: How can I link my gap period experiences to the job I'm applying for?
A: Highlight relevant skills and experiences gained during the gap period and connect them to the job requirements to show your readiness and motivation.
Q: What should I focus on during interviews when explaining resume gaps?
A: Stay positive, relate your experiences to the job, show motivation, and keep your explanations concise and to the point.
Q: Can online courses and certifications help address resume gaps?
A: Yes, including online courses and certifications on your resume demonstrates your dedication to staying updated and relevant in your field.
Q: How can I present myself as a strong candidate despite resume gaps?
A: Be honest about the gaps, highlight your skills and experiences, use an appropriate resume format, and sharpen your interview skills.
Q: Why is it important to maintain a positive attitude when discussing resume gaps?
A: Focusing on what you learned and how you grew during the gap periods can positively influence the employer's perception of your readiness and suitability for the role.