You’ve probably heard that a job gap can be a real resume killer. In entirely too many cases, HR departments and computer resume readers pass over any application where the potential candidate has been out of work for more than a few months.
Why do companies do this? It seems like more of a tradition than anything else. It’s obviously unfair — people shouldn’t be disqualified from jobs just because they have a job gap.
Here are some real ways you can make sure that your resume doesn’t suffer if, for any reason, you have been unemployed for a while.
Deliver Vital Information
One of the biggest ways to conquer a job gap is to make sure companies have much more information about you that just what’s in the baseline application.
This article from BB explores the idea of information limits and the ‘law of lemons’ — how with a very restricted set of data, companies will make big decisions based on a small detail like a job gap – so by the same token, when you get them more information about your skills and experience, the relevance of the job gap tends to fade a bit.
Get Around Gatekeepers
Even for those who are fully gainfully employed, a job search often feels like an insurmountable task.
One of the most discouraging points is the necessary gatekeeping processes that companies use to sift through resumes, in order to only let in a few potential candidates that the company is most interested in.
Companies have to sort out resumes somehow, but when you’re pounding the pavement looking for a job, it can all seem pretty cruel.
With that in mind, more and more job seekers are turning to networking to get past the first hurdle. It becomes a question of who you know, and who you can get to call the phone and vouch for you. People end up asking family and friends if they know of any openings that may not be publicly advertised, and whether they can get an audience with somebody high up in the company in order to skip all of that busy work of interacting with the usual business processes of the company is question.
Transition with Temp Work
Another strategy is to secure temporary work and get back in the job world while you’re waiting to land a position in-house.
Having current employment shrinks the effect of the job gap on your resume evaluation process. Someone who is already getting out of bed and going to work has a better chance than somebody who is going to an interview after days of sitting around the house.
Consider how temporary work can help as a stepping stone when you’re facing a considerable job gap.
Find An In-Demand Role
Another key strategy is to make sure you’re relevant to the job world as a whole.
If you’re getting turned down because of a job gap, it often means that there are just better candidates out there, and companies have a lot to choose from. Some people have really turned their careers around by focusing on obscure skills or technical ability, going back to school, and making themselves so in-demand that nobody’s going to care about their past job history at all.
About Full Steam Staffing
Full Steam Staffing is a full-service employment agency in Lacey, Washington focused on providing clerical and light industrial staffing solutions to manufacturers, distribution centers and other organizations that need qualified, reliable workers. If you are looking for a new job in Lacey, Washington, browse our available opportunities or contact our team today!