1
00:00:00,481 --> 00:00:03,064
(upbeat music)

2
00:00:03,900 --> 00:00:05,520
- [Announcer] Gaps in the resume happen,

3
00:00:05,520 --> 00:00:07,600
sharing them with a potential employer,

4
00:00:07,600 --> 00:00:10,320
however, can feel intimidating.

5
00:00:10,320 --> 00:00:13,740
So here are four tips on how
the approach this conversation.

6
00:00:13,740 --> 00:00:15,480
Number one, be upfront.

7
00:00:15,480 --> 00:00:17,530
Whatever the reason for an employment gap,

8
00:00:17,530 --> 00:00:21,090
take five to 10 words to
explain it on your resume.

9
00:00:21,090 --> 00:00:24,720
Otherwise the hiring manager
may jump to conclusions

10
00:00:24,720 --> 00:00:26,760
that are often far worse than the truth.

11
00:00:26,760 --> 00:00:29,820
You can go into more detail
in person at your interview

12
00:00:29,820 --> 00:00:32,460
but leaving it up to their
imagination could prevent

13
00:00:32,460 --> 00:00:34,670
that interview from ever happening at all.

14
00:00:34,670 --> 00:00:36,520
Number two, don't leave it out.

15
00:00:36,520 --> 00:00:38,630
Don't misrepresent work
dates on your resume,

16
00:00:38,630 --> 00:00:41,460
because recruiters will often find out.

17
00:00:41,460 --> 00:00:43,500
A simple background check

18
00:00:43,500 --> 00:00:45,630
can pull the curtain
back on your deception.

19
00:00:45,630 --> 00:00:48,870
And even if you're able
to hide all the evidence,

20
00:00:48,870 --> 00:00:50,600
recruiters often have a sixth sense

21
00:00:50,600 --> 00:00:51,760
about this kind of thing.

22
00:00:51,760 --> 00:00:54,720
You don't want to start a new
relationship based on a lie,

23
00:00:54,720 --> 00:00:58,350
especially when simple
conversation could clear the air.

24
00:00:58,350 --> 00:01:01,670
Number three, what if you were fired.

25
00:01:01,670 --> 00:01:04,460
This is the big one and
the hardest to navigate,

26
00:01:04,460 --> 00:01:06,920
but if it's the case, during the interview

27
00:01:06,920 --> 00:01:08,490
you will be asked about it.

28
00:01:08,490 --> 00:01:11,340
When you respond, stay
away from negativity.

29
00:01:11,340 --> 00:01:15,013
If you get hostile or you
get defensive, it's over.

30
00:01:15,013 --> 00:01:18,540
Never ever criticize past
bosses or co-workers.

31
00:01:18,540 --> 00:01:21,310
However you got fired,
no one else is to blame

32
00:01:21,310 --> 00:01:23,100
for what happened to you but you.

33
00:01:23,100 --> 00:01:26,010
Instead try to show that
you learned from it.

34
00:01:26,010 --> 00:01:28,720
You can say that the role
was too advanced for you

35
00:01:28,720 --> 00:01:31,440
and you've since gone our
and acquired a new skill set

36
00:01:31,440 --> 00:01:34,240
which leads right to number four.

37
00:01:34,240 --> 00:01:37,140
Turn in into a positive experience.

38
00:01:37,140 --> 00:01:39,740
If you can show that your
employment gap is instead

39
00:01:39,740 --> 00:01:41,330
an asset to this new job,

40
00:01:41,330 --> 00:01:43,190
then you're back on solid ground.

41
00:01:43,190 --> 00:01:44,550
Perhaps it afforded you

42
00:01:44,550 --> 00:01:47,760
to take professional
development courses or volunteer

43
00:01:47,760 --> 00:01:49,706
or perhaps it made you realize

44
00:01:49,706 --> 00:01:52,250
what you actually want
the do with your life

45
00:01:52,250 --> 00:01:53,730
and applying for this job

46
00:01:53,730 --> 00:01:55,980
is your first step in getting there.

47
00:01:55,980 --> 00:01:58,280
After all, a gap in
employment doesn't have

48
00:01:58,280 --> 00:01:59,700
to be the kiss of death

49
00:01:59,700 --> 00:02:00,604
and could even be the thing

50
00:02:00,604 --> 00:02:03,543
that pushes you over the top
at your next job interview.