How to Address Resume Gaps: 4 Resume Gap Reasons and How to Explain Each One

When creating your healthcare resume, you may become concerned with how a gap in your employment might appear to a prospective employer. Don’t panic — a resume gap doesn’t have to ruin your chances of getting a job. Here are four reasons you might have a gap in employment, and how you can explain each one in an interview.

#1: You Started a Family

If you have a resume gap because you took time off to begin your family, draw connections between the job you’re applying for and the skills you learned while caring for your children. For example, if you’re applying to work as a patient care technician, you might discuss how caring for your children taught you to anticipate and respond to the needs of others, which is a great skill for an allied health worker. Or maybe you’re passionate about caring for people and taking care of your children has honed that passion, so you’re ready to reignite your career now that your children have started school. If this is the case, tell the potential employer.

Focus your answer on how having a family can make you better at the job you want.

#2: You Cared for a Sick Spouse or Loved One

If you have a resume gap because you took care of a sick relative, give a quick overview of the situation. Try to avoid going into lengthy details, which can be hard when you’re emotional about the situation. Instead, address the gap in your resume by providing the basics.

If your mother had cancer, for example, you could say, “I stopped working when it became clear my mom needed help through her treatments. I took care of her full-time for two years. Then, when she entered remission and was able to live life normally, I decided it was time to focus on my career again.”

You can also draw a parallel to your experience. For example, if you’re applying for a role in healthcare management, you may talk about how much organization and preparation goes into being an effective caretaker. If you are applying for a role with patient contact, such as a medical assistant position, discuss how you needed to remember medication schedules, understand prescription effects, handle billing, work with the insurance company, manage doctor’s appointments, and more.

#3: You Switched Careers and/or Attended an Educational Institution

Maybe you’re wondering how to address a gap in your resume because you decided to change careers. If you spent your gap taking educational courses or other training, that’s a great experience to discuss.

Talk about how your training gave you the skills and knowledge you need in your new career field. You can also discuss your reason for making the change — because you wanted to be more directly involved with patient care, for instance, or because you enjoy medical coding.

If you completed an externship or practice during your schooling, talk about this hands-on practical experience. Tell the employer how your resume gap was an opportunity to adequately train and prepare for the open role.

#4: You Were Laid Off and Couldn’t Find Another Position

If you were laid off and had trouble finding another job, focus on the actions you took during the gap in your employment to expand your healthcare skills. Did you volunteer with a blood bank or hospital? Did you enroll in a career training program? Did you join a professional group and take on a leadership position within that group? The key is to let the employer know that the gap time wasn’t wasted. Draw upon your experiences that helped expand your skills and prepare you for the role you want.

Also, if you’re trying to explain an employment gap that is beyond your control, focus on the positives — even if you weren’t happy about the layoff or your job ending when it wasn’t your fault. Instead, use the interview as an opportunity to showcase how you used the time to develop the skills needed for the open job.

The Bottom Line in How to Explain a Resume Gap

It can be difficult to navigate a resume gap, particularly when the employer asks about it in your job interview. No matter the reason for the gap in your employment, focus on how you’re qualified and passionate about the role you want now.

Tie in any experiences that can make you better at the open job and keep a positive attitude. If you can frame them in a positive light, employers might be willing to overlook your resume gaps and offer you the job.

If you are currently enrolled at Ultimate Medical Academy or a graduate from one of our healthcare programs, remember that you have access to a variety of career services, from interview prep to help with your resume and more. We are here for you!