Minding the Resume Gap

Explaining away the gap in work history is one of the most common worries of cancer survivors looking for work. But there is some good news for those facing this challenge today. Because of the ongoing sluggishness of the economy, more and more people have substantial gaps in their resumes. Of course a down job market isn’t easy to negotiate, but those hiring are not as likely to automatically discount you because of a work gap.

But prejudice still exists. In fact, some state legislatures are moving to ban job ads that discriminate against people who aren’t currently employed. Below you’ll find ways to make writing your resume and the interviewing process more comfortable. We know that the gap is weighing heavily on your mind, but experts advise that you don’t address the gap in your cover letter – instead focus on why you are great for that position right now.

It is important to remember that your diagnosis is confidential and you do not have to disclose your cancer in an application or interview situation.

Dealing With the Gap

There are many strategies for dealing with a resume gap:

• List skills first: List all of your career skills at the top of your resume and underneath each heading include three to six bullet points that summarize your core skills. Then at the bottom of your resume, briefly list the companies you’ve worked for, your job titles, and the years of employment. This format is known as the chronological/functional format. See an example here.
• Forgo the calendar: If you’ve been out of the workforce for several years, omit the calendar year and include instead the number of years of service. For example, “Two years of managerial work in customer service.”
• Highlight non-career achievements: Include your volunteer and community work, and show how they translate into relevant job skills such as the ability to multitask, plan events and organize.
• Freelance and part-time: Treat your freelance work or part-time work as a career builder. You can, and should, layout the achievements and skills as consultancy position.

The recommended practice for all resumes is to cover in detail only 10 to 15 years in a resume. If that means certain skills and experience you want to highlight won’t be included, add them under the heading “Additional Work Experience” or “Additional Skills.”

Find out more at Cancer and Careers’ Looking for Work center