Why do you have to explain gaps in your employment history?
Christopher Davis
Updated on March 22, 2026
It’s not unusual to have a gap in your employment history and it’ll only stand out if you don’t explain it. The main thing employers want is for you to demonstrate your enthusiasm and readiness to re-enter the workforce. Finally, confidence and honesty are desirable qualities for any interviewee.
Is it bad to have gaps in your employment history?
In short, your resume shows who you are as a person. And just like that example, having long gaps in your work history sometimes gives employers the wrong impression about your abilities and ambitions. A long unexplained gap in your resume can imply that you’re not capable of landing a job.
What is considered a gap in employment?
Employment gaps are periods during your professional career in which you did not have formal employment. An employment gap can range in length from a period of several months to a period of several years and can occur voluntarily or involuntarily.
How do you explain a gap in unemployment?
Make sure that you include your previous positions as well as the dates that you held them. You can also include your gaps then write a brief note. For instance, you could write, “Took a break to take care of my ailing wife”. List the years instead of months if you have small gaps in your resume.
Can you explain the gaps in your employment answer?
You want to be truthful without going into unnecessary detail. A basic template for your answer could be: “I [reason you were not employed]. During that time, [what you did during the gap]. Returning to work was top of mind during that period and I’m ready to do that now.”
Why are employment gaps bad?
Because an employment gap raises so many questions, many of which aren’t raised explicitly, the employment gap is a resume killer. Employers are likely to skip over resumes with gaps because there are enough out there without one. This means that you need to get in front of employers aside from submitting a resume.
How do I get a job with gaps in employment history?
Be Prepared
- Explain why you’ve got gaps in your resume.
- Reassure the hiring manager why you won’t be doing it again.
- Share the value you picked up along the way.
- Keep your explanation short. Have a finish line so you don’t trail off into embarrassed silence.
How do you handle gaps in employment history?
How to Handle Gaps in Your Employment History
- Highlight unpaid employment history.
- Group freelance work together.
- Remove a position.
- Invest in professional development.
- Consider using a different resume format.
- Keep your employment history consistent.
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How long of an employment gap is too long?
If your employment gap was less than three months, there’s no need to explain it on your resume. A gap of three months or less should not raise too many eyebrows because three months is an acceptable timeframe to be job-seeking or taking a vacation between contracts.
How to explain the gaps in your employment history?
Next, if the gaps in your employment history are only small gaps that occurred in-between jobs you can disguise these gaps by omitting the month from the date of each experience. Instead, simply list the years you were employed in each position.
Do you have a job gap on your resume?
Nowadays it’s not an easy deal to get a job, and the task becomes even more tough if you have employment gaps on your resume. The most recent question recruiters would ask is: “Please explain any gaps in your employment history”.
Why do I have a two year employment gap?
For example, if you have an employment gap of two years because you took time off work to be a full-time caregiver for an elderly relative and you are applying for a position as a nurse, the employment gap entry in your experience section may look more like this: Employment gaps can occur for both voluntary and involuntary reasons.
Is it bad to lie about an employment gap?
It is very important not to lie on your resume—about an employment gap or anything else. If you lie on your resume, it will probably come back to haunt you. Employers verify work history, and if you put incorrect information on your resume, it’ll be discovered.
