Learn how to address unique concerns or circumstances in your resume.
Do you have a long gap in your employment history? Or a criminal record? Or are you concerned your age might be a red flag for some employers? Find tips below to address these common circumstances.
How to address employment gaps
If you have gaps between jobs on your resume, it's easy to be worried that employers will think the worst. But most employers understand that the most common reasons for gaps is because you were continuing your education or gaining new skills, taking care of children or other family members, or dealing with a significant health issue. It's not necessary to explain the reasons on your resume, but you might address them in a cover letter, or at an interview. Here are tips for resumes when you have employment gaps:
- Be truthful about the dates of your employment. Use your resume to highlight your skills and experience, since this is what the employer's primary focus is.
- If your gap was less than a year, you can choose to include only the years, of your previous jobs. However, know that some applicant tracking systems will look for month or even day of employment dates.
- Remember that if you have a long work history, you don't need to include every job you've had. This is especially true if you're a professional who has several years of experience and your employment gap occurred early in your career: you can leave off the job you had before your gap in employment.
How to address a criminal record
If you've been incarcerated, you don't need to address this gap in employment in your resume. But you should be prepared to discuss it in an interview. However, if you gained job skills while incarcerated, be sure to include that work experience on your resume. Learn more about how to discuss your conviction in a job interview.
How to avoid age bias
If you're over age 55, you may be worried about being overlooked by employers simply because of your age. There is plenty of research that shows that bias toward older workers is real: some employers assume that older workers might lack technical skills needed for many jobs, or that they may be over-qualified or too expensive to hire.
But the reality is that most older workers have more a great deal to offer employers—and your resume is a perfect place to highlight your assets and address negative stereotypes that employers might have. Visit Resumes and cover letters for 55+ workers to learn more.
