Career Prospects with Employment Gaps
Downturn Economy Means It is Taking People Longer to Find Work
Employments gaps can happen to anyone's resume but in today's economic climate, it is becoming more and more common as experienced senior managers in all industries are being laid off and finding themselves out of work for up to nine months, according to Danley Yip, division director of Robert Half Management Resources.
"It is going to take a while to find work," said Yip, in a telephone interview. "We are starting to see more people being laid off due to restructuring in their organization."
Explaining the Gaps
Yip said that employers will understand if a job candidate has gaps in their resume given these tough economic times and that it will take longer especially senior managers to find a job where they would be a good fit.
Ways to Close the Gaps
"One of the things is people have to be flexible in this market," advised Yip. He added that people may have to do things that are not an exact match to their profession but suggested exploring different areas might not be such a bad idea. And networking is an important part of closing gaps.
"You need to network, tap into a recruiter, use LinkedIn to expand your social network and getting out to different professional functions," Yip recommended. He also suggested researching companies you are interested in working for, find where your skills are needed and chase those opportunities even if it means having to relocate. Another way to close the gaps is to volunteer or take courses that will enhance your marketability.
What Not to Do
Yip advised against mentioning why there are gaps in your resume in a cover letter. Instead, the cover letter should be reserved to accentuate the positive as to why you would be a good fit and a value to that organization.
Mention employment gaps only if it comes up during the interview. If you are asked, Yip said it is best to be honest and that you have been looking very hard, that you have been working with a recruiter. It also doesn't hurt to mention any short-term volunteer work that you have done. "Let the interviewer know you are being proactive in looking for a new job," he added.
When a Gap is too long
In the past, having significant employment gaps came with a bit of a stigma but with the economy being the way it is, people are out of work six to nine months. However, Yip said that if you've been out of work a year, that's too long of a gap and could start to work against you.
Yet, employers shouldn't dismiss these candidates right away if they've been out of work for that long without probing into the reason as it could have been for a sabbatical. "[Employers] need to look at the pedigree and experience [of the job candidate]. You can tell this person is a blue chip senior executive despite being away a year or year and a half; that person is still a talented senior executive."
Yip summarized that you should work hard to minimize employment gaps and the less it is the better. In addition, keep your skills up and update yourself by taking courses, attending seminars or reading up on hot issues that can impact your role in the market place.
"Also be optimistic," he added. "One of the things people do is get depressed as it takes longer and longer to find a job. They need to be upbeat as you don’t know when the economy will change and demand for experienced mangers goes up again."
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