Gap on resume

Hi there, 

It's totally ok if you have a gap. The whole point is how you choose to communicate it and here's where you might get amazing value from having a coach work with you on your CV. 

And yes, if you continued doing work for a former employer, theoretically you can extend it accordingly on your CV. 

Sharing here also a guide on how to approach the application process in an effective way:

• Maximising your chances of getting a consulting job during an economic downturn

Best of luck!
Cristian

Hi there,

1) I wonder if the several months gap would be an issue? 

They will most likely ask about that during the interview but you might be selected for interviews regardless.

2) I actually did a bit research work this year for the same employer for free. Should I extend my work history to this year? My former boss is fine with this.  

If you get an offer they will do a background check on what you wrote on the CV. So you should report something that in case they check with your former firm they will consider legit. If your free work experience could fall into this category (meaning they can confirm you worked there and you have proof of that) it is fine to have it in your resume.

Good luck!

Francesco

Dear,

be prepared to justify the gap in your resume with a compelling pitch. Normally, recruiters spot these things when screening your resume and tend to double-click on the reasons behind this choice. 

Nothing to be afraid of. The important thing is to have a prepared and solid answer for that. Feel free to DM me to problem-solve together on how to frame this.

Regarding the second part of the question, your resume should be a fair representation of your past academic and professional experience. Hence, based on what you're stating, if you really worked (for free) with your former company and your boss is okay with this, you can clarify this extension in your CV!

First, congratulations on deciding to transition to consulting. It's a challenging yet rewarding field, and I'm sure your research experience will serve you well.

Regarding the employment gap, it can raise questions, but it's not an insurmountable issue. Here's how you can handle it:

Be prepared to explain the gap: If asked about the gap in interviews, it's important to provide a clear and reasonable explanation. You mentioned that you spent several months thinking about what you wanted to do next. Frame this positively as a period of self-reflection, career exploration, and skill development. If you took any online courses or attended workshops related to consulting during this time, make sure to mention them.

Freelance work: If you worked on research projects for your former employer during this period, even without pay, you can definitely include this on your resume. Instead of extending your work history for the same position, you can list it as a separate consulting or freelance research role, indicating that you provided services voluntarily. Ensure that you highlight any transferable skills or achievements from this period relevant to the consulting role you're applying for.

Remember, the aim is to present the employment gap not as a period of inactivity but as a time when you were proactively preparing for your next career move. And it's great that your former boss is supportive; references who can vouch for your skills and work ethic are invaluable.

Whether it's an issue or not there is nothing you can do.

If you did a bit of employer research, and you are allowed to put it there (you are on the employer's books, so to speak), then add it!

Regardless, the “fuller” you can make your resume, the better!

A gap period does not inherently eliminate you. It depends on the entire resume as a whole.

Good luck!

Hello,

A couple of months without work is not a huge resume gap - plenty of people take a bit of time to figure out their new direction between jobs, for instance. So I don't think it would be an issue in your application, but you should prepare a compelling answer for why you have a gap and what you did during that time in case you are asked about it in the interview.

Regarding your second question, if extending your work history like you suggest accurately describes your experience, and your former boss agrees with this change, I think it's ok to do. The fact that you did the work for free doesn't matter for resume-inclusion purposes.

Best of luck!

Hi there,

I'll take this opportunity to share some thoughts around this issue. Having a gap on your CV is something that is feared and highly discouraged especially in Asia/Singapore where I'm from. I have several gaps in my CV and have heard across the years various comments ranging from shock to disapproval that I would do such a thing.

So, why do we fear a gap or is a gap perceived bad? Ultimately, employers (including consulting firms) want to hire somebody who is/will be good enough to do the job and who will stay. Thus, concerns from recruiters/companies generally boil down to 2 concerns 

1. Concerns over causes - this happened because of reason [x] and it means you might not have what it takes or this happened because of reason [x] and it might happen again affecting your longevity
   • e.g. concern that you are not in a ‘right frame of mind’ or do not have the commitment and will leave 
   • e.g. concern that you were let go and unable to find further gainful employment due to a lack of capabilities or poor performance
2. Concerns over implications - because you have a gap, that has negative implications on your employability
   • e.g. you have become out of touch or less skilled
   • e.g. you have become technologically outdated
   • e.g. you have not built up the relevant skills needed

However, if you are able to counter these concerns (and there are many ways to do this, also depending on your particular context) and make a case on why you are a good candidate for the company then the gap becomes less of an issue. 

All the best!

Hi there,

I believe it is absolutely fine these days to take some time between jobs to reflect on what the next step should be. And to also make time to focus on pursuing individual interests that you otherwise couldn't really get to enjoy with a full work schedule.

Life is more than just chasing along from one employer to the next. Present your case in a confident and thought out manner. What did you realize during your “gap” that now makes you want to pursue a career in consulting? That could be the positive spin you want to highlight rather than being in defensive mode trying to justify as to why you were not gainfully employed for a while. You proactively quit your previous job from what it sounds like so you made a choice and you had a plan. Plans are good so talk about it in your interviews.

Whatever you list on your CV has to be true though. Be prepared for someone asking for references from previous employers and double-checking employment history. I would personally list your freelancing activity as a separate item on your resume rather than trying to bake it in with your previous role. 

Best of luck