Employment Gap

Another term for a career gap — a break in your work history.

An employment gap is a period of time — usually six months or longer — where you were not employed. Gaps can happen for many reasons: layoffs, caregiving, health, education, sabbatical, travel, or career change. Despite old advice to the contrary, employment gaps are common and don't automatically hurt your application.

The best strategy for handling gaps is transparency. Don't try to disguise them with a functional resume format — recruiters know the trick. Instead, briefly explain the gap either on your resume, in your cover letter, or in the interview. If you kept your skills current during the gap (online courses, freelance work, volunteering), mention it.