How can you address resume gaps due to bias?

Resume gaps can be a challenge for any job seeker, but they can be especially difficult to explain if they are due to bias or discrimination. Whether you faced barriers based on your race, gender, disability, age, or any other factor, you may wonder how to address them in your resume without sounding defensive or negative. Here are some tips to help you present your resume gaps in a positive and honest way.

1 Highlight your skills and achievements

One of the best ways to overcome resume gaps is to focus on your skills and achievements, rather than on your dates of employment. Use a functional or hybrid resume format that showcases your relevant qualifications and accomplishments for the position you are applying for. Provide concrete examples of how you used your skills to solve problems, improve outcomes, or add value in your previous roles or projects. This will demonstrate your potential and value to the employer, regardless of how long you worked or when you worked.

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Baiba Lauva

🎯 Freelance Recruiter | Headhunter | Career Consultant | HR Strategist | LinkedIn Profile Optimization🎯
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Everybody still wants to know how long you worked in jobs before, mostly everyone supports chronological resumes, and even in these cases can not be the best option, would suggest showcasing what you did in that time, maybe took courses or something like that.

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2 Explain your resume gaps briefly and positively

If you have resume gaps that are longer than a few months, you may want to provide a brief and positive explanation in your cover letter or resume summary. Avoid going into too much detail or blaming anyone for your situation. Instead, focus on what you learned, how you grew, or what you achieved during your time away from work. For example, you could mention that you took a career break to pursue further education, volunteer for a cause, care for a family member, or deal with a personal challenge. Emphasize how these experiences helped you develop new skills, perspectives, or goals that are relevant to the job you are seeking.

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3 Address any concerns or questions in the interview

If you are invited for an interview, be prepared to answer any questions or concerns that the employer may have about your resume gaps. Again, be brief and positive, and avoid dwelling on the past or bringing up any negative emotions. Focus on the present and the future, and how you are ready and eager to contribute to the organization. Show your enthusiasm, confidence, and professionalism, and highlight your strengths and fit for the role. If you faced bias or discrimination in your previous work environment, you may want to ask about the employer's culture, values, and policies on diversity and inclusion, and how they support their employees.

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4 Seek support and guidance

If you are struggling with resume gaps due to bias, you are not alone. There are many resources and organizations that can help you with your resume writing, job search, and career development. You can also seek support and guidance from mentors, coaches, peers, or networks that share your background, identity, or interests. They can offer you advice, feedback, encouragement, and referrals, and help you overcome any challenges or barriers you may face.

Resume gaps due to bias can be a hurdle, but they don't have to define you or limit your career opportunities. By following these tips, you can address them in your resume in a way that showcases your skills, achievements, and potential, and helps you land the job you want.

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5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Steven Douglas

Intl Talent Acquisition Specialist ✅ Senior International Recruiter
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Concentrate on what you'll bring to the new role and opportunity and emphasize that on any interviews. Plenty of people have had career gaps, but it doesn't have to define you. If you're asked about any gaps be decisive and positive. Look into the work culture of the company you could be joining to get a clearer picture and don't let anything hold you back.

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Ryan Watson

Senior Technical Recruiter
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When you get on the phone with a recruiter, you've passed the first resume test. Then tell your story to that recruiter. You don't have to get into too intimate details, but give the recruiter the information they need to tell your story to the hiring manager.

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Grace Efezokhae

Commercial Banking at BMO || Corporate Finance || Credit Risk Management || Underwrite multimillion dollar loans for public sector institutions || Career Development
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Don’t over apologize or delve deeper into the reasons for your resume gap in the interview. Communicate the value you bring to the table and don’t let a resume gap define the entirety of your career story.

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How can you address resume gaps due to bias?

1

2

3

4

5

1 Highlight your skills and achievements

2 Explain your resume gaps briefly and positively

3 Address any concerns or questions in the interview

4 Seek support and guidance

5 Here’s what else to consider

Resume Writing

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How can you address resume gaps due to bias?

1

2

3

4

5

1 Highlight your skills and achievements

2 Explain your resume gaps briefly and positively

3 Address any concerns or questions in the interview

4 Seek support and guidance

5 Here’s what else to consider

Resume Writing

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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