writing a resume when you haven't worked for years

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Writing a Resume After More Than a Few Years Out of the Workforce

One question we are often asked is how do I write a resume when I haven’t worked, professionally, for years. And it’s tough because most “ how to deal with a resume gap ” advice is aimed at people who have been out of work for several months, not years. So here’s a high-level guide to writing a resume when you’ve been out of the workforce for a long time and are trying to restart your career.

1.  Don’t try to “fool” the reader.

Using a nontraditional resume format generally backfires. Recruiters spend very little time reviewing a resume, and one that requires them to spend too much time to figure out will get passed over quickly. We generally recommend that you follow a traditional chronological format with your experience (both paid and unpaid) at the top, in order from most recent, and then education under that.

To help you get started, here are some Recommended Resume Formats for Returners (with templates).

Note: We have specific resume advice if you are applying for a returnship.

2.  You don’t have to include everything.

Resumes are marketing documents, not legal documents. Highlight the experience you have – both paid and not – that makes you a fit for the role you are applying for. This is true for returnships and permanent positions.

Should you eliminate all experience that is more than 10 or 20 years in the past due to age discrimination ? We get this question often and it’s tough because age discrimination is real. But for women who are restarting their careers it’s very difficult, if not impossible, to create a resume that eliminates “old” experience without eliminating all experience. Focus on the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the job you are applying for, eliminate what you can without diminishing your abilities, and be sure to tout what you’ve done in the last one to five years that is relevant.

What if you can’t remember all the details of your prior jobs? If you don’t remember it well, you won’t be able to speak to it well in an interview , so consider leaving it off for that reason. If there are jobs you want to include – because you worked for a great company or had a great title – include it with a short description of the overall role and any accomplishments that were particularly memorable. That way you’ll get credit for the job without having to go into too much detail.

3.  You should include any experience that fits the role you are applying for .

Don’t diminish your unpaid work or even paid work that happened outside a corporate environment. There is an art to doing this well, though.

First, be sure to put your experiences in terms that are business friendly . Talk about results and outcomes – money raised or saved, time saved, lives impacted.

Second, group projects in ways that make sense and highlight your skills and accomplishments without making it look like you are “padding” your resume. It’s better to say you worked on a 90-day assignment and here’s everything you accomplished in that time than trying to make that look like a job you had for a year with only three months worth of work to show for it.

4.  Consider custom versions.

It’s pretty normal for someone restarting their career to have a few different avenues that they are pursuing, especially if their career background had a few twists in it. To follow the advice about “not including everything” while also including relevant experience, you may need a few versions of your resume. Both versions may list all the same jobs (though they may not), but would emphasize different skills and experiences based on the job you are applying for.

The easiest way to do this is to create a master version that has all roles and all bullets and then cut out the parts that aren’t relevant for different roles. But don’t go too crazy with the customizing because…

5.  Don’t spend too much time working on your resume.

While there are likely plenty of ways to improve your resume, the truth is that the parts of your resume that recruiters focus on first are the parts you can’t change – where you worked, when you worked, what your title was. Extra time spent perfecting each bullet is less valuable than almost every other activity related to job hunting: researching companies, taking classes to update your skills, and reaching out to people who can champion you within an organization or who can connect you to others who can.

I realize it’s a cheat to tell you to spend less time on your resume in a blog post about improving your resume, but it’s really to emphasize controlling the parts of the process you can ( how you spend your time , who you reach out to ) vs. the parts you can’t (your prior career decisions and how others will judge them).

Tami Forman is the founding executive director of Path Forward and a frequent speaker on issues related to caregiving and workforce participation.

Originally published February 2017.

How Do You Write a Resume When You Haven’t Worked in Years?

How To Write a Resume When You Haven’t Worked in Years

Consider furthering your education, obtain new industry certifications, utilize referrals during the job search, how to explain employment gaps during the interview, build out your linkedin profile, don’t get discouraged during the job hunt.

Reentering the workforce after several years of unemployment can be extremely difficult for job seekers. There are a number of reasons and factors for why you might have a lengthy gap in your document. There may have been a period of time when you had to take time off from your job to care for your children or have faced an important medical or personal crisis.

Although crafting a resume after years of unemployment isn’t easy, there are many ways to build an effective document that can help you jumpstart your career and reenter the workforce. The key to creating a compelling resume is leveraging your past achievements and current skill sets and showcasing how they align with the needs of the organization you’re applying to. Throughout this guide, we’ll provide insights to help you craft your resume and reignite your professional career.

The first step in this process is to leverage your past work experience, no matter how dated it may be. Hiring managers will be most interested in seeing skills and achievements from your previous employment history that match what the company is looking for in a candidate. Although it may be challenging to come up with numbers and metrics in this circumstance, you should go the extra mile to craft compelling bullet points that provide insights into your most compelling career experience. If you’re seeking to start a career in a new industry, you’ll want to focus on skill sets and transferable accomplishments across fields.

List Volunteer Experience, Associations, and Independent Projects

Using volunteer experience, associations, and independent projects can help fill in some gaps in your timeline on the resume. However, these might not always seem relevant to the position you’re pursuing. For example, suppose you were coordinating a significant home renovation and interfacing with contractors. In that case, you may be able to highlight this as a way of demonstrating project management skills.

Volunteerism experience can also go a long way in enhancing the strength of this application, as this will show that although you weren’t employed, you were devoting much of your free time to helping others within your community. This will speak to who you are as an individual and will also provide some insights into what you were doing during your employment gap. Another option is to feature associations you were a part of on your resume. For instance, if you were serving on a school board or a local community association, you may be able to use these experiences to draw attention to your leadership, communication, and administrative skills on your resume. Although these details may not be directly related to your target industry, they’re better than having nothing to address the timeline gap.

Build out Your Skills Section

Because you haven’t held a job in several years, you’ll want to use your existing skill sets to your advantage during the application process. A strong resume skills section that draws attention to your relevant qualifications will help show hiring managers that you have the necessary experience to succeed in the position despite the employment gap. Focus on integrating keywords and skills that match the job description, as this will also ensure that your document is fully optimized for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Should You Provide a Direct Explanation for the Gap on the Resume?

Although you might think you should explain the job gap at the top of your document, this is often the wrong strategy for reentering the workforce. Opening your resume with an explanation for why you’ve been unemployed, will draw attention away from your relevant qualifications. You want to highlight the positive aspects of your background and skill sets rather than open up with a reason for your lack of employment. The gap will be visible to the reader, but you’ll be able to explain the gap in a much better manner during the interview.

That said, if you want to provide an explanation for the gap on your resume, you can create a separate section to address it further down on your document. The key here is to avoid leading with this explanation, as this is a poor strategy for crafting a compelling personal brand on your resume. You can visit our guide explaining resume gaps for more information on this topic.

Although this may not be an option for everyone, given the financial requirements, continuing your education can be helpful when attempting to reenter the workforce. Even showing that you’re in the process of pursuing a degree will showcase that you’re committed to furthering your career and growing within your industry. In this instance, you could also list an expected graduation date based on the number of credits you plan to complete each year.

Another potential option is to obtain new industry certifications within your field. This will show prospective employers that you’ve stayed active within your space despite the employment gap. It will also demonstrate your familiarity with current industry standards, skill sets, and concepts. Depending on your field, it may also require less of a financial and time commitment to complete these certifications.

If you have a significant employment gap on your resume, leveraging your referrals can go a long way in helping you make a positive impression on the hiring manager. Having a past employer or industry connection vouch for you can alleviate some of the concerns associated with your lack of employment history in recent years. Be sure to gather your referrals before you start the application process, as you may need them to get over the hump during your job search.

When explaining a gap in your work history during the interview, it’s important to be honest and candid. Hiring managers will appreciate a straightforward explanation, which may also help to alleviate some concerns and narratives that could develop if you provide a vague answer to the question. Employers are much more understanding of employment gaps than you might believe and providing a clear explanation might help them to relate to your circumstances. That said, avoid focusing only on the negative aspects of why you were unemployed, as you want to remain poised and confident throughout the interview.

Building your LinkedIn profile can be a powerful tool to help you reenter the workforce when you haven’t worked in years. Creating a strong About section at the top of your profile allows you to provide additional insights into who you are as a person and as a professional using less formal language than you would typically use on a resume. LinkedIn will also allow you to network with industry professionals and thought leaders within your space, which may help uncover opportunities and obtain new referrals.

It’s easy to get discouraged during the job search following a rejection. Remember that there are many reasons that candidates are passed over for job roles and that finding the right opportunity will take time due to the employment gap. It’s important to remain patient and diligent during the application process. If you continue to persevere, the right opportunity will present itself, and you’ll be able to reignite your career.

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Frank Hackett

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)

Frank Hackett is a professional resume writer and career consultant with over eight years of experience. As the lead editor at a boutique career consulting firm, Frank developed an innovative approach to resume writing that empowers job seekers to tell their professional stories. His approach involves creating accomplishment-driven documents that balance keyword optimization with personal branding. Frank is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PAWRCC).

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25 Things to Put on a Resume When You Have No Experience

Creating a resume with no experience can seem daunting, but it’s not impossible. Our goal with this article is to provide you with the information and guidance you need to create a compelling and effective entry-level resume that will get you noticed by hiring managers.

We understand that starting your career journey can be challenging, especially when it comes to highlighting your strengths and abilities without previous job experience. This article will cover various strategies and tips that will help you build a solid foundation for your resume and showcase yourself as a desirable candidate for your dream job.

We aim to provide you with practical insights on how to outline your skills, education, volunteer work, and other relevant experiences even if you don’t have direct job experience. This article will also dive into the importance of tailoring your resume to the position you’re applying for and optimizing it for applicant tracking systems (ATS).

Our goal is to show you that a lack of experience does not have to hold you back from landing your dream job. By the end of this article, you will be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to create a top-notch resume that highlights your shining qualities and sets you apart from other applicants.

So, let’s get started!

Understand the Importance of a Strong Resume

The job market can be a competitive and challenging space, especially for those who are just starting out or have little to no experience. In such situations, having a strong resume is an essential tool for anyone to succeed in their job search. Understanding the importance of a well-written resume can mean the difference between landing your dream job and never getting past the application process.

Why a resume is important for a successful job search

A resume serves as your personal marketing tool; a document that introduces you to prospective employers and communicates your skills, experience, and achievements. It is your opportunity to present yourself in the best possible light, showcase your strengths, and convince employers that you are the right person for the job. A well-crafted resume can help you stand out from other candidates, create a positive impression, and get your foot in the door.

What employers look for in a resume

Employers have specific criteria when it comes to screening resumes. They want to see that you have the relevant skills, experience, and qualifications for the job; that you possess the qualities that match their company culture; and that you can contribute to the organization’s success. To make a good impression on employers, it is crucial to tailor your resume to each job you apply for, highlighting your relevant skills and experience.

Employers typically look for the following things in a resume:

• Clear and concise presentation of your skills and experience
• Relevance to the job you are applying for
• Consistency in all the information provided
• Evidence of your achievements and contributions
• Attention to detail in formatting and style

How a good resume can increase your chances of getting hired

A well-crafted resume can significantly increase your chances of getting hired. It can catch the employer’s attention by presenting a clear, concise, and compelling snapshot of your experience, skills, and qualifications. Additionally, a good resume can help you pass the initial screening process and make it to the next stage of the hiring process.

A good resume can help you:

• Stand out from other applicants
• Demonstrate your potential value to the employer
• Highlight your most relevant experience and achievements
• Show that you are a professional and take your career seriously

A strong resume is an essential tool for anyone searching for a job, especially those with little or no experience. A well-crafted resume can make all the difference in securing your dream job. Ensure that your resume highlights your most relevant skills and achievements, is tailored to each job application, and presents you in the best possible light to increase your chances of getting hired.

Identify Your Relevant Skills and Qualifications

One of the biggest challenges for individuals with no work experience is identifying their relevant skills and qualifications. However, it is important to note that prior work experience is not the only factor employers consider when evaluating candidates.

Here are some tips on how to determine your relevant skills and qualifications:

1. Consider Your Education

Your education can provide insight into the skills and knowledge you have acquired. Make sure to include any relevant coursework, academic achievements, and extracurricular activities. For example, if you are applying to a job in marketing, you may want to highlight any coursework in advertising, market research, or business strategy.

2. Assess Your Transferable Skills

Transferable skills are skills that can be applied to various settings and industries. Some examples of transferable skills include communication, leadership, problem-solving, and organization. Assess your own transferable skills by thinking about experiences in your personal life or volunteering activities. For example, if you have volunteered at a community organization, you may have developed leadership and communication skills that can be applied to the workforce.

3. Use Job Descriptions as Inspiration

Reading through job descriptions of positions you are interested in can provide insight into the skills and qualifications employers are looking for. Take note of any recurring requirements such as computer proficiency, attention to detail, or customer service.

How Soft Skills Can Play an Important Role in Your Resume

Soft skills, often referred to as people skills, can be a valuable asset in any professional setting. While technical skills such as coding or accounting are important, soft skills demonstrate personal qualities that can set you apart from other candidates. Here are some examples of soft skills to include on your resume:

1. Communication Skills

Communication skills are essential in almost any job. Being able to convey ideas and actively listen to feedback can lead to better collaboration and more successful projects. Highlight your communication skills by mentioning any public speaking or debate experience as well as any strong writing capabilities.

2. Leadership Skills

Leadership skills can also differentiate you from other candidates. Even if you haven’t held a formal leadership role, experiences such as leading a project or working in a team can demonstrate these skills.

3. Problem-Solving Skills

Being able to approach problems with creativity and adaptability is a sought-after trait. Showcase your problem-solving skills by mentioning any experiences where you had to troubleshoot a tricky situation or come up with an innovative solution.

While job experience is a valuable asset, it is not the only factor employers consider when evaluating potential candidates. Identifying your relevant skills and qualifications and highlighting your soft skills can make you a strong contender for a position.

Highlight your Education

One of the best ways to showcase your potential as an entry-level candidate when you don’t have work experience is to highlight your education. Your education section is prime real estate on your resume, as it gives employers insight into your capabilities, potential and desire to learn.

How to showcase your educational background

When it comes to highlighting your education on your resume, be sure to include the following information:

Name of the institution  – Start with the name of the institution where you received your degree. Be sure to spell it correctly and include the official name, as well as any commonly used abbreviations.

Degree name and level  – Include the name of your degree, such as Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Also, indicate the level of the degree, whether it’s an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree.

Major/field of study  – Indicate your area of focus, such as marketing, psychology or computer science.

Graduation date  – Include the date you received your degree.

Relevant coursework  – If you don’t have any work experience, your coursework can help you showcase your abilities and qualifications. Include any relevant courses that you took in college that relate to the position you’re applying for.

GPA  – Including your GPA is optional, but can be helpful if you have a high GPA or if the employer asks for it.

Honors and awards  – If you received any academic honors or awards, such as Dean’s List, Phi Beta Kappa, or scholarships, be sure to include them.

Including relevant coursework and achievements in your education section

When it comes to highlighting your relevant coursework and achievements, be strategic about what you include. Only include coursework and achievements that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. Here are some tips:

Focus on skills and competencies  – Instead of listing individual courses, focus on the skills and competencies you developed in those courses. For example, if you took a course in project management, you can highlight your ability to manage timelines, budgets and resources.

Quantify your achievements  – If you received high grades in your coursework, mention your GPA or any academic awards you received. If you completed a project, mention the scope of the project and any measurable outcomes.

Speak to the job requirements  – Look at the job description and identify the key requirements. Then, tailor your education section to highlight the coursework and achievements that demonstrate your ability to meet those requirements.

By highlighting your education in your resume, you can demonstrate your potential and willingness to learn. Don’t shy away from showcasing your relevant coursework and achievements, as they can help you stand out in a competitive job market.

V. Emphasize Your Extracurricular Activities

One of the best ways to showcase your skills and potential when you have no professional experience is to highlight your extracurricular activities. From leadership roles to volunteer experiences, including these on your resume can demonstrate your commitment, passion, and ability to excel in various areas.

When featuring your extracurricular activities and involvement, be sure to include specific details about your role and responsibilities. For example, if you were a member of a club, mention the projects you worked on, the events you organized, and the skills you gained through your involvement. If you volunteered at a non-profit organization, highlight the impact you made, the challenges you faced, and the lessons you learned.

In addition, don’t forget to mention any leadership roles you held. Clearly state the position you held and the size of the team you managed, as well as any accomplishments or initiatives you spearheaded. This can demonstrate your ability to take charge, delegate tasks, and motivate others.

Finally, if you have received any awards or recognition for your extracurricular activities, make sure to mention them. This can add credibility to your accomplishments and prove your dedication and excellence in a particular area.

Including your extracurricular activities and involvement on your resume can help you stand out from other candidates and give potential employers a more well-rounded view of your skills and potential.

Highlight Any Relevant Internships or Work Experience

One way to compensate for a lack of direct experience in a particular field is to refer to relevant internships or work experience, even if they occurred in other industries or areas. Such experiences can still be valuable in terms of teaching transferable skills that can be applied to the job at hand.

For instance, highlighting that you interned as a sales associate in a retail store can illustrate key skills such as customer service, teamwork, and handling money. If you worked as a waitress, you might have developed communication skills, multitasking abilities, and attention to detail. You can then demonstrate how you can apply those acquired skills to a different role or industry.

Be sure to highlight any relevant work or internships in your resume by including detailed descriptions of your responsibilities and accomplishments. Use active verbs and quantify your achievements to give potential employers a clear understanding of your contributions. Additionally, you can showcase your transferable skills learned from previous experiences through your cover letter, emphasizing how they can translate into relevant tasks and requirements of the job you’re applying for.

Even if you don’t have direct experience related to the field you’re applying for, highlighting previous relevant work or internships and demonstrating transferable skills can still make you a strong candidate for the job.

Showcase Your Relevant Achievements and Accomplishments

When listing your achievements on your resume, it is important to do so in a clear and concise manner. Rather than simply listing your responsibilities, focus on highlighting the impact you had on previous projects or positions. This will demonstrate to potential employers that you can contribute to the success of their organization. Here are some tips to showcase your achievements effectively:

Highlight quantifiable successes

Using numbers and data to quantify your successes can be a powerful way to showcase your achievements. For example, instead of saying “increased sales,” you could say “increased sales by 20% within the first quarter.” This adds context to your achievement and demonstrates your ability to impact a business. Other examples might include reducing costs, increasing productivity, or improving customer satisfaction.

Be specific

When listing achievements, be specific about what you achieved and how. Simply saying you “improved a process” doesn’t give potential employers any real insight into your abilities. Instead, say something like “streamlined a process that reduced production time by 50%.” This provides a clear picture of your accomplishments and how they benefited the organization.

Focus on relevant achievements

When listing achievements, make sure they are relevant to the job you are applying for. If you are applying for a marketing position, list achievements related to marketing or advertising campaigns you have worked on. This will demonstrate that you have the necessary skills and experience for the job.

By following these tips, you can effectively showcase your achievements and make your resume stand out to potential employers. Remember, your accomplishments demonstrate your value as an employee and can make a big difference in landing your next job.

Utilize Resume Keywords

In today’s job market, it is crucial to have a resume that stands out. One way to achieve this is by utilizing keywords throughout your resume. Keywords are specific words or phrases that are relevant to the industry, job, or skills you possess. By incorporating these keywords your resume, it can help you stand out from the pack.

Understanding how to use keywords in your resume to stand out

To make the most of keywords, it’s important to understand how to use them. One way to do this is by reviewing the job posting to identify the keywords that the employer is looking for. You can then incorporate these keywords into your resume in the relevant sections to ensure that your resume matches the job requirements.

Another approach is to use keywords that reflect your skills and achievements. Think of words or phrases that describe your strengths and experience. For example, if you’re a graphic designer, some keywords might include design software, branding, layout, and typography.

When using keywords in your resume, it is important not to go overboard. Don’t just list a bunch of random words or phrases that are not relevant to your industry or experience. Instead, be strategic about where and how you use them. This may include integrating them into your professional summary, work experience, or skills sections.

Examples of relevant keywords for various industries

Here are some examples of relevant keywords that you might consider using in your resume based on the industry:

• Social media
• Advertising
• Marketing campaigns
• Brand management
• Market research
• Content creation
• Lesson planning
• Classroom management
• Curriculum development
• Student assessment
• Differentiated instruction
• Educational technology
• Parent-teacher communication
• Programming languages
• Database administration
• Network security
• Agile methodology
• Cloud computing
• Cybersecurity
• Electronic health records
• Patient care management
• Medical terminology
• Diagnostic procedures
• HIPAA compliance
• Healthcare regulations
• Clinical trials

By using relevant keywords in your resume, you can demonstrate your skills and experience more effectively to potential employers. It helps you stand out and gets you noticed in the hiring process. Make sure to avoid overusing them and follow best practices to tailor them to each application you submit.

Structure and Design of a Strong Resume

When it comes to creating a strong resume, formatting and structure are essential for making sure that your document is easy to read and well-organized. Not only will a well-designed resume grab the attention of potential employers, but it will also make your experience and qualifications stand out.

Here are some tips for formatting and structuring your resume for maximum impact and readability:

How to Format and Structure Your Resume

• Use a clear and consistent font throughout your document. Arial, Calibri, and Times New Roman are all good options.
• Limit your use of bold, italic, and underline to highlight important information like headings and job titles.
• Break up large blocks of text with bullet points to make your resume more reader-friendly.
• Use white space to separate different sections and make your resume easier to navigate.
• Use a chronological format to showcase your work experience, with your most recent job listed first.

Tips on Choosing a Resume Template

When it comes to choosing a resume template, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you want to choose a template that fits your style and personality. If you’re applying for a more creative job, you might want to choose a template with a more design-focused layout. If you’re applying for a more traditional job, a clean and simple template might be a better choice.

Here are some additional tips for selecting a resume template:

• Look for templates that match your industry or career level. You don’t want to choose a template that’s too casual or too formal for the job you’re applying for.
• Use color sparingly. A pop of color can help your resume stand out, but too much color can be distracting.
• Use a template that’s easy to edit and customize. You don’t want to spend hours tweaking a template that doesn’t quite fit your needs.

By following these tips for formatting and structuring your resume, as well as selecting a template that fits your style and needs, you’ll be well on your way to creating a strong and effective resume even if you have no prior experience.

Tips for Writing a Compelling Resume Summary or Objective

When it comes to writing a resume, a common section that’s often included is a summary or objective statement. These statements serve as an introduction to your potential employer and give them an idea of your background and goals. However, it’s important to know the difference between a resume summary and objective.

Resume Summary vs. Objective

A resume summary is a brief paragraph or bullet points at the top of your resume that highlights your professional accomplishments and experience. It’s a great way to give a quick snapshot of who you are as a candidate and what you bring to the table.

On the other hand, a resume objective is a statement that outlines your career goals and what you hope to achieve. It’s typically used by job seekers who have little to no work experience or are transitioning into a new industry.

Tips on Crafting a Strong Statement

Whether you’re writing a resume summary or objective, there are certain things to keep in mind to make your statement compelling and memorable. Here are a few tips:

Keep it concise: Your statement should be no longer than 2-3 sentences or bullet points. You want to quickly capture the reader’s attention and not overwhelm them with unnecessary information.

Focus on your strengths: Highlight your most relevant skills and achievements that make you a standout candidate. Tailor your statement to the job you’re applying for and emphasize what you can bring to the role.

Use keywords: Make sure to include keywords and phrases that are relevant to the job description. This can help you get past applicant tracking systems and catch the attention of the hiring manager.

Show your personality: While it’s important to keep your statement professional, don’t be afraid to inject some personality and showcase your unique voice. This can make you more memorable and help you stand out from other applicants.

Your summary or objective statement should give a clear picture of who you are as a candidate and what you can bring to the table. With these tips and a little creativity, you can craft a compelling statement that will make a lasting impression.

Incorporating Relevant Examples in Your Resume

When it comes to resumes, listing your skills and qualifications is important, but it’s not enough. In today’s competitive job market, recruiters and employers are looking for candidates who can provide tangible evidence of their abilities. That’s where incorporating relevant examples in your resume becomes crucial.

Providing examples of your accomplishments, skills, and experience is an effective way to stand out amongst other job applicants. It allows you to showcase your strengths and capabilities, instead of simply stating them. Including examples in your resume can help to give recruiters and potential employers a better understanding of your abilities and achievements, making you a strong candidate for the job.

Here are some examples of relevant and resonant examples to include in your resume:

1. Academic Achievements

Include any academic achievements such as awards or scholarships you’ve received. If you were involved in any academic competitions, mention your achievements and your role in the team. For example, if you competed in a science fair and won an award, mention that in your resume.

2. Volunteer Work

Volunteering can give you valuable experience and skills that you can highlight in your resume. If you volunteered in a leadership role, be sure to mention that. If you volunteered for a non-profit organization and helped raise money, include the amount you raised and how you accomplished it.

3. Internships

Internships are a great way to gain work experience in your field of interest. Highlight your contributions to the company you interned at and any projects you worked on. Be sure to mention any new skills you learned while on the job.

4. Freelance Work

If you have done any freelance work, be sure to include it in your resume. This could include anything from designing a logo to writing an article. Mention the project you worked on, what you accomplished, and the impact it had on the client.

5. Personal Projects

If you recently completed a personal project, it’s worth mentioning in your resume. This could include a website you designed or a YouTube channel you started. Highlight your skills and the impact your project had.

Incorporating relevant examples in your resume is a powerful tool to showcase your abilities, accomplishments, and potential. By providing tangible evidence of your skills and experience, you can make yourself stand out from other job applicants and increase your chances of securing the job of your dreams.

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40+ Resume Tips to Help You Land a Job in 2024

When you haven’t updated your resume in a while, it can be hard to know where to start. What experiences and accomplishments are relevant for the jobs you’ve got your eye on? What new resume rules and trends should you be following? And seriously, one page or two ?

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Basic resume tips

Let's start with the basic do's and don'ts when putting your resume together. Listing your skills is not the only thing that matters—choosing the right format and sections is equally crucial. Here are some tips for writing a resume from scratch:

1. Don’t try to cram every skill and work experience onto your resume

Think of your resume not as a comprehensive list of your career history, but as a marketing document selling you as the perfect person for the role you’re applying to. For each resume you send out, you’ll want to highlight only the accomplishments and skills that are most relevant to the job at hand (even if that means you don’t include all of your experience ).

This is called tailoring your resume and it helps anyone who reads it see exactly why you’re a match for a specific position.

2. But keep a resume outline with a full list of your qualifications

Since you’ll be swapping different information in and out depending on the job you’re applying to, save a resume outline —or maybe our resume worksheet —on your computer with old positions, bullet points tailored for different applications, and special projects that only sometimes make sense to include. Think of this as your brag file. Then, when you’re crafting each resume, it’s just a matter of cutting and pasting relevant information together.

3. Ditch the objective statement

The only time an objective section makes sense is when you’re making a huge career change and need to explain from the get-go why your experience doesn’t match up with the position you’re applying to. In every other case, resume objectives just make you look old-fashioned or out of touch.

Read More: 3 Reasons You Should Ditch That Resume Objective—and 3 Things You Can Do Instead

4. Put the best, most relevant information first

In journalism speak, “above the fold” refers to what you see on the front half of a folded newspaper (or, in the digital age, before you scroll down on a website)—basically it’s your first impression of a document. In resume speak, it means you should make sure your most relevant qualifications are visible on the top third of your resume.

This top section is what the hiring manager is going to see first—and what will serve as a hook for someone to keep on reading. If your most recent position isn’t the most relevant piece of your candidacy, consider leading with a skills section (such as in a combination resume format ) or writing a resume summary .

5. Choose the right resume format for you

There are lots of different ways to organize the information on your resume—like the functional resume or combination resume. But the good old reverse chronological —where your most recent experience is listed first—is usually your best bet. Unless it’s absolutely necessary in your situation, skip the functional or skills-based resume—hiring managers might wonder what you’re hiding.

6. Keep it concise

The two-page resume is a hotly debated topic, but the bottom line is this—you want the information here to be as short as possible, and keeping it to one page forces you to prioritize what really matters. If you truly have enough relevant and important experience, training, and credentials to showcase on more than one page of your resume, then go for two. But if you can tell the same story in less space? Do it.

Read More: 6 Pro Tips for Cutting Your Resume Down to One Page

7. Include relevant links

Can’t figure out how to tell your whole story on one page, or want to be able to include some visual examples of your work? Instead of trying to have your resume cover everything, cover the most important details on that document. Then, include a link to your personal website , your online portfolio , examples of your work, or a relevant, professional social media profile , where you can dive more into what makes you the ideal candidate.

Just avoid hyperlinking over words that are key to understanding your resume, since it can throw off the tools employers use to store and parse resumes.

8. Be aware of the ATS

You may have heard that employers are using computers to “read” your resume and decide who to hire and reject. That’s not exactly true. But most employers do use software called an applicant tracking system—or ATS—to parse resumes and organize them so that recruiters and hiring managers can search for the most relevant applications.

You should assume your resume will pass through an ATS at some point during your job search, so understanding how it works will help make your hunt more efficient. (All of the tips for resume writing in this list keep ATSs in mind as well!)

Read More: Beat the Robots: How to Get Your Resume Past the System and Into Human Hands

Resume formatting tips

Your resume's format matters as much as the content it holds. Aim for a simple and minimalist layout, without overwhelming columns, colors, or graphic elements. Here are some key resume formatting tips to help you stand out:

9. Keep your resume format simple

We’ll talk about getting creative in order to stand out in a minute. But the most basic principle of good resume formatting and design? Keep it simple. Make your resume easy on hiring managers’ eyes by using a reasonably sized default font like Helvetica or Arial and leaving a healthy amount of white space on the page. Your main focus here should be on readability for the hiring manager (and that pesky ATS).

Read more: The Best Resume Font and Size (No More Agonizing!)

10. Stand out with ATS-friendly design elements

Really want your resume to stand out from the sea of Times New Roman? Yes, creative resumes —like infographics, videos, or presentations can set you apart, but you have to make sure they actually get read. If you’re uploading your resume to a job application site or online portal, use ATS-friendly formatting elements like:

• Bold and italic text
• Underlining (in headings or over hyperlinks)
• Different text alignments
• Columns that can be read straight across

11. Avoid design elements that can’t be “read” by computers

On the flip side, it’s best to avoid design elements that ATSs are known to have trouble with such as:

• Logos and icons
• Images and photos
• Graphics, graphs, or other visuals
• Headers and footers
• Less common fonts
• Columns that can only be read from top to bottom

12. Make your contact info prominent

You don’t need to include your address on your resume anymore (really!), but you do need to make sure to include a phone number and professional-sounding email address (but not one affiliated with another job!) as well as other places the hiring manager can find you on the web, like your LinkedIn profile, plus your pronouns if you’d like to.

Read More: Here's Exactly What Should Be Included in Your Resume's Header

13. Design your resume for skimmability

You’ve probably heard before that hiring managers don’t spend a lot of time on each individual resume. So help them get as much information as possible in as little time as possible, by making your resume easy to skim .

Work experience resume tips

Recruiters nowadays want to know more than a simple description of your responsibilities. They're looking for the results and impacts of your work, as well as the connection between your experience and the position you're applying for now.

That said, let's take a look at some resume writing tips for describing your work experience:

14. Keep your work experience recent and relevant

As a rule, you should only show the most recent 10-15 years of your career and only include the experiences that are relevant to the positions you’re applying to. Remember to allocate real estate on your resume according to importance. If there’s a choice between including one more college internship or going into more detail about your current role, always choose the latter (unless the internship was more relevant to the role you’re applying for).

15. Don’t forget your transferable skills and experiences

Don’t panic if you don’t have any professional experience that fits the bill. Focus your resume on your relevant and transferable skills along with any related side or academic projects , and then make sure to pair it with a strong cover letter telling the narrative of why you’re ideal for the job.

Read more: What to Put on Your Resume When You Have No Relevant Work Experience

16. Write strong, achievement-focused bullet points

The bullet points under each job entry are arguably the most important part of your resume. They tell whoever’s reading it what skills you have, how you’ve used them, and how you’ve helped your employers in the past.

So start with a strong action verb , include relevant skills from the job description , and frame your bullets around your achievements—don’t just list your job duties . Tell them how your work benefitted your boss or company so they know what they stand to gain by hiring you.

Here’s a simple formula to follow:

• Compelling verb + job duty + key skills used = tangible result

So you might say: “ Developed an upgrade to the employee database, ensuring the smooth flow of critical operations, which led to a 35% increase in efficiency. ”

17. Curate your bullet points and experiences

No matter how long you’ve been in a job, or how much you’ve accomplished there, you shouldn’t have more than eight bullet points under it—and that’s only for your most recent and relevant job. Jobs further back should generally be limited to four to six bullets.

Read More: How Many Bullet Points Should Each Job on Your Resume Have?

18. Use as many numbers as you can

Use facts, figures, and numbers whenever possible in your bullet points. How many people were impacted by your work? By what percentage did you exceed your goals? Quantifying your accomplishments allows the hiring manager to picture the level of work or responsibility you needed to achieve them.

19. Don’t neglect non-traditional work

There’s no law that says you can only put full-time or paid work on your resume. So, if you’ve volunteered , worked part-time or as a temporary or contract worker , freelanced, or interned? Absolutely list these things as their own “jobs” within your career chronology—as long as they’re relevant to the job you’re applying for. The same goes for career breaks . Yes, really.

Read More: 4 Things You Didn't Know You Could Put on Your Resume

20. Use important keywords from the job description

Scan the job description, see what words are used most often, and make sure you’ve included them in your bullet points. For example, does the job description list “CRM” or “Salesforce”? Make sure your resume matches. Not only is this a self-check that you’re targeting your resume to the job, but it’ll also make it easier to search for your resume in an ATS.

Read More: How to Pick Resume Keywords That'll Get Your Job Application Past the ATS

Resume tips for including your education

Most hiring managers will want to know your education level, even if it's not necessarily relevant to the position you're going for. This section is especially important for those changing careers or applying for entry-level jobs—as your education can be an indicator of the skills you have.

Here's some resume tips and tricks for this section:

21. Put experience first, education later

Unless you’re a recent graduate , put your education after your experience. Chances are, your last couple of jobs are more important and relevant to you getting the job than where you went to college.

22. Also keep it in reverse chronological order

Generally, you should list your educational background with the most recent or advanced degree first, working in reverse chronological order. But if older coursework is more specific to the job, list that first to grab the reviewer’s attention.

23. Remove the dates from your education section once you’re a few years into your career

Unless you’re early in your career, don’t list your graduation dates. The reviewer cares more about whether or not you have the degree than when you earned it. And you don’t want to inadvertently open yourself up to age discrimination , which is an unfortunate reality in some job markets.

24. Highlight honors and achievements, not GPA

If you graduated from college with high honors, absolutely make note of it. Showcase that summa cum laude status, the fact that you were in the honors college at your university, a relevant project you completed, or an award you won. You don’t need to list your GPA —employers don’t care as much about GPA as they do what skills you gained in school.

Read More: How to (and How Not to) List Education on Your Resume

25. Include continuing or online education

Feel free to include continuing education, professional development coursework, or online courses in your education section, especially if your resume feels a little light on relevant experience.

Best resume tips for showing off your skills

You shouldn't wait until you get an interview to showcase your skills—your resume can and should have a specific section for them. You can also leverage other sections of the document to incorporate what's relevant for the position.

Here are our tips for making a resume that effectively highlights your skills:

26. Don’t forget your skills section

Be sure to add a section that lists all the relevant skills you have for a position—especially those mentioned in the job description. Include technical skills like software and project management tools or specific knowledge of how to perform relevant tasks. Just make sure to skip including skills that everyone is expected to have, like using email or Microsoft Word. Doing so will make you seem less technologically savvy.

27. But don’t only put your skills in your skills section

Your skills section is an easy way for anyone reading your resume to confirm that you have required qualifications, but that shouldn’t be the only place that your important skills appear. Any skill that’s vital to you being hired should also be in your bullet points—where you can show how you’ve used it in the past.

28. Divvy up your skills for readability

If you have lots of skills that would help you with a job but aren’t necessarily in the same category—say, foreign language, software, and leadership skills—try breaking up your skills sections. Below your “Skills” section, add a subsection titled “Language Skills” or “Software Skills,” for example. Again, we’re going for skimmability here!

29. Show—don’t tell—your soft skills

Describing soft skills on a resume often starts to sound like a list of meaningless buzzwords. But being a “strong leader” or an “effective communicator” are important characteristics you want to get across. Think about how you can demonstrate these attributes in your bullet points without actually saying them.

Read more: The Non-Boring Way to Show Off Your Soft Skills in Your Job Search

Other resume section tips

Resume sections are not fixed like stone-written texts; they can change according to the job position you're applying for or the requirements listed by the company. Here are some examples of sections you can add—and more tips on writing a resume that stand out:

30. Include relevant certifications and licenses

If you have a certification or license that proves you can do some aspect of the job you’re applying for, include it on your resume. This is especially important if that certification or license is legally required to do the job—for example, in nursing, teaching, or driving jobs.

31. Show some (relevant) personality

Feel free to include an “Interests” section on your resume, but only add those that are relevant to the job. Are you a guitar player with your eye on a music company? Definitely include it. But if you’re considering including your scrapbooking hobby for a software developer job at a healthcare company? Best to leave it out.

32. Beware of interests and activities that could be controversial

Maybe you help raise money for your church on the reg. Or perhaps you’re dedicated to canvassing during political campaigns. Yes, these experiences show a good amount of work ethic or possibly other relevant skills—but they could also open you up to be discriminated against by someone who disagrees with the cause. So weigh your decision to include them carefully.

33. Add awards and achievements—when they’re relevant

Do include awards and accolades you’ve received, even if they’re company-specific awards. Just state what you earned them for, e.g., “Earned Golden Salesperson Award for having the company’s top sales record four quarters in a row.” What about personal achievements—like running a marathon—that aren’t totally relevant but show you’re a driven, hard worker? Consider the best way to include them (and if you should).

Resume tips for navigating employment gaps and other sticky situations

If you're an experienced professional, you might have some tricky information to explain. Job hopping, career gap, and short term jobs are examples of things that can make an applicant feel insecure when drafting resumes.

Is that your situation? Check on these good resume tips to explain sticky situations without jeopardizing your chances to get an interview:

34. Cut the short-term jobs

If you stayed at a (non-temporary) job for only a matter of months, consider eliminating it from your resume to avoid looking like a job hopper. Leaving a particularly short-lived job or two off your resume shouldn’t hurt, as long as you’re honest about your experience if asked in an interview. But if the short-term job is super relevant to this job, consider including it anyway.

35. If you have shorter gaps, be strategic about how you list dates

If you have gaps of a few months in your work history, don’t list the usual start and end dates with months and years for each position. Use years only (2018–2020), or just the number of years or months you worked at each position. Just keep it consistent throughout your resume and don’t lie if asked about gaps during an interview.

Read more: How to Explain the Gap in Your Resume With Ease

36. Explain serial job hopping

If you’ve job-hopped frequently, you can include a succinct reason for leaving next to each position like “company closed,” “layoff due to downsizing,” or “relocated to a new city.” By addressing the gaps, you’ll proactively illustrate the reason for your frequent job movement and make it less of an issue.

37. Explain a long break in jobs

Re-entering the workforce after a long hiatus? This is the perfect opportunity for a summary statement at the top, outlining your best skills and accomplishments. Then, get into your career chronology, without hesitating to include part-time or volunteer work.

38. Be intentional about career gaps

While career gaps are becoming increasingly common, you should still frame them in a way that’s relevant to a future employer, by talking about skills you gained or any professional endeavors you took on. If you didn’t focus on professional development, that’s fine too! But not every employer will appreciate it if you get too cutesy about that section of your resume.

For example, if you took time out of the workforce to raise kids, you might not want to creatively describe this parenting experience on your resume, à la “adeptly managed the growing pile of laundry.” Instead state what you did plainly and include any professional skills you may have grown or activities you may have done.

Read More: Stay-at-Home Parent? How to Kill it on Your Comeback Resume

Tips on resume finishing touches

Writing a good resume alone isn't the only thing that matters. How you save and send it can also determine whether the recruiter will even take a look at it. To wrap things up, here are our resume formatting tips and other suggestions to boost your chances of getting noticed:

39. Ditch “References available upon request”

If a hiring manager is interested in you, they’ll ask you for references—and will assume that you have them. There’s no need to address the obvious (and doing so might even make you look a little out of touch!).

40. Proofread, proofread, proofread

It should go without saying, but fully edit your resume and make sure it’s free and clear of typos. And don’t rely on spell check and grammar check alone—step away for a few hours, then read your resume closely again, and ask family or friends to take a look at it for you.

41. Save it as a PDF or Word document

Unless a job posting specifically requests that you do otherwise, your resume should always be submitted as either a PDF or Word document (.docx not .doc). These are the formats that can be most easily opened and most easily parsed by an ATS.

The choice between the two is up to you (again, unless the company you’re applying to requests one format over the other). If you’re emailing your resume, however, PDFs are a bit more likely to maintain your formatting across different computers and programs.

42. Name your file clearly

Ready to save your resume and send it off? Save it as “Jane Smith Resume” instead of “Resume.” The hiring manager is going to have plenty of “Resumes” on their computer, so make it super easy for them to find what they’re looking for. You can even go a bit further and put the position title in your file name (e.g., “Jane Smith Marketing Analyst Resume).

Read More: The (Simple) Guidelines You Should Follow When Naming Your Resume and Cover Letter Files

43. Keep your resume outline fresh

Carve out some time every quarter or so to pull up your resume outline and make some updates. Have you taken on new responsibilities? Learned new skills? Add them. When your resume is updated on a regular basis, you’re always ready to pounce when opportunity presents itself. And even if you’re not job searching, there are plenty of good reasons to keep this document in tip-top shape.

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A community where people can submit their resumes for anonymous feedback. General resume questions and discussions are welcomed as well.

Haven't worked in a few years, need help

So as the title states, I haven't worked in two years. I needed to focus on school ( high school diploma) so I quit my first job at a grocery store in early 2017 ( I'd been working there for almost two years). I finished in 2018 and I've been applying to jobs ever since. I've gotten about 3 interviews since and none called me after. Neither of my parents are any help as one has had their job since the 90s while the other has been retired for years. Whenever I look online all I really find are resume sites that want money for me to use their templates, and lists of general skills to add. My resume is literally just contact info, my name, address, and my work history. I'm not sure if my work history is hurting me more than helping at this point. Any advice?

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How to Fill Out a Resume After Being at the Same Job for Over 20 Years

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Resumes for Those Who Have Had Multiple Careers

How to add a dean's list to a curriculum vitae, curriculum vitae for the pharmaceutical industry.

• How to Upload a CV for Jobs
• How to Write a Resume After Being Out of the Workforce for Years Running a Small Business

Lasting at a job for 20 years ought to be a good thing. However, when it comes to your resume, this could be viewed as limited experience. Just how limited depends on what you did during those 20 years and how you market your accomplishments. Focus less on where you spent the past 20 years and more on what you did during that time – that will get the recruiter's attention.

Start With A Competencies List

Hook the recruiter before she gets to your experience or discovers your age. The key here is to tell the recruiter exactly what you have to offer, at the top of your resume, below your contact information. You can do this by writing a summary of qualifications or summary statement advertising the best reasons to hire you.

Create a list of your assets that are relevant to this specific job and showcase them in the spot where the recruiter looks first. For example, if you work in HR, you might break out your specialty skills, such as payroll, recruiting, benefits administration, training or wellness.

Avoid listing cliches as your skills, recommends Ladders, such as that you are loyal, dependable and reliable.

Keep It Current

Update your document when filling out a resume for 20 years experience. Let the old stuff fall off. While you may be proud of accomplishments from 20 years ago, it is important that you focus on what you recently accomplished, recommends Monster.com . Your resume should only go back 10 to 15 years, at most.

Going back too far dates you, and the information is too old to apply to the present. The worst that could happen is that you look like you were once fabulous and now you have fizzled out. No one will want to hire someone who is on their last legs.

Include any new software or hardware you've learned in the last few years, conferences or workshops you've attended or certifications you've earned to show that you are current in your position and career.

Diversify Your Experience

Just because you worked for the same employer, doesn't necessarily mean you held the same position the whole time. This can work wonders for your resume. Compartmentalize your career into the different roles and positions you have held, going back a decade or so.

List each position separately, as though they were separate jobs, despite the fact that the employer is the same. This shows that you advanced, moved around and remained active in your career. It also gives the recruiter more information about the skills and qualities you possess.

After All, it's a Marketing Tool

While your career may dip back in history, your resume should not be a biography or historical document. Avoid recounting the past 20 years as such. Instead, create a marketing tool. Today's resume should read like an advertisement – it is used to sell you. It should answer questions such as why the recruiter should hire you over someone else – it is all about what you offer, the value you bring and proven accomplishments. Make it hard for the recruiter not to want you, regardless of your age or employment history.

• Monster: Show Your Experience on Your Resume the Right Way
• Ladders: Recruiters will throw your resume out if you use any of these 10 phrases

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How to write a resume while you are currently working, how to successfully re-enter the job market after being fired, unemployment gaps on your resume due to illnesses, how to deal with varied experience on your resume, how to list absences in work experience on a resume, how to answer the interview question "what unique qualifications do you bring to this position", how to update a cv format, how to get your resume chosen by human resources for offshore oil rig jobs, how to create a master list of resume information for yourself, most popular.

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Has Caring for a Loved One Left a Gap in Your Resume?

I've been hearing a lot lately about people who have taken time off work to be full-time caregivers for ailing parents, spouses, or other loved ones. And now, they're faced with a significant employment gap to explain on their resumes. Not fair! To make matters worse, the standard advice for explaining any resume gap (be brief, be factual, and leave out the emotion) is pretty tough to practice when the gap stems from such a significant and painful phase of your life.  If you're battling this dilemma, here are some tips to help. First, remember these simple facts, which are easy to overlook when job search anxiety is fueling all your thought processes:

• Hiring managers are people, too. They have personal lives that aren't always neat and tidy. They're subject to all the same joyous and tragic life events as you or I.
• Everybody has gaps in their resumes (and not always for a good reason like yours).
• Resume be damned, you did the right thing. 

You'll probably be tempted, and may even be advised by well-meaning friends, to try to hide or disguise the gap. But I say don't bother. Hiring managers and recruiters have seen all the tricks (like stretching the dates on either side of the gap, or using a functional resume with no dates). Don't lie or insult their intelligence. On the other hand, don't give more information than they need (or want) to know. Think privacy . It's up to you whether to say exactly whom you were caring for; the nature of the illness; or even where they are now. (They may have gone to Heaven, a nursing home, or Cincinnati, but that's none of your future employer's business.) All the employer really needs to know is that your caregiving commitment is no longer an impediment to your readiness or availability for work. Here are some samples of how you might address the gap on your resume and in an interview . These are just guidelines, of course. Your actual wording will reflect your own unique situation , personality, and comfort zone.

Sample 1.  Minimal information; brief and matter of fact.

On the Resume: Leave of Absence                 6/2004 - 9/2006 Full-time caregiver during family member's illness In the Interview: "During my leave of absence in 2004 to 2006, I was caring for a close family member during a serious illness. Now, I'm ready to return to a professional role, and I think my qualifications will fit well in the _____ position. Then, you can change the subject by asking a question such as" "What was it about my background that caught your eye?"

Sample  2.  If you're in a healthcare field, you could be more descriptive about your caregiving role.

On the Resume: Full-Time Caregiver          6/2004 - 9/2006 Provided round-the-clock care for seriously ill family member, including medication management, assistance with activities of daily living, coordinating in-home therapies and services, and therapeutic recreation. In the Interview: "Between 2004 and 2006, I was caring for [a close family member/my mother/my father/my spouse] at the end of [his/her] life. I was fortunate to have the health care skills to be effective in that difficult role. Then, you can change the subject by asking a question such as, "Can you tell me what you consider to be the most important qualities to be successful in the _____ role?"

It may feel crass or unfeeling to summarize this life-altering experience into a neat little blurb and deliver it with cool professionalism. But unfortunately, that is probably what it takes to get back into the working world. Just keep in mind that the employer's real concern is not that there was an employment gap in your past; it's whether you'll be a good employee in the future. Keep your focus there, and you should be fine.

RELATED LINKS You Can and Should Put Volunteer Work on a Resume Writing a Resume When You Haven't Worked for Years Your Cover Letter: The Gateway to Your Resume Preparing for Re-Entry: Overcoming Obstacles in the Workforce  

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I have not work for over 10 years and have no references, what steps should I take to go back to work? (US)

Through a series of unfortunate events and traumas, I've been unable to work in any shape or form for over ten years. Worse I've been isolated much of this time and have become out of touch with my network and references. I'm also very introverted.

I'm in my early 40s now and previously worked as a research assistant on various short-term grant-funded projects (my degree is in sociology) for college postdocs. My treating physician suggested I could now start rebuilding my life and to start with volunteering. I also feel that I'm ready too, except it seems impossible to break through this wall.

The problem is work requires references and apparently volunteering does too. I've looked at a number of office position volunteering at various organizations, hospitals, etc. and it seems that they all require an interview. They have a whole list of interpersonal/work-related skills and experience they expect you to have. It gives me anxiety just to read through them. You'd think you were applying for a paid position in government.

Originally I wanted to get a loan, study and maybe get a masters, so I thought through education I would be able to get references and some part time work maybe leading to permanent job later. It was the same story as above, except now there are also requirements for recent coursework, minimum grades, X years of work experience related to your field, etc.

It seems that no matter what, it's the same problem. How do I break through and secure a position at an organization which is glad to have someone filling in instead of putting them under the microscope? Funny the other day I'm looking at this volunteering job that requires just going and sitting/talking to patients in the hospital, and it said they're looking for a person with "great interpersonal skills", "energetic", "confident", etc. All I'm thinking is that I actually need a position so I can acquire these skills, so I can regain my confidence and improve skills I have not used much in these years. But that's not what they're looking for...sigh.

• employment-gaps
• volunteering
• applications

• 5 I am not in the US, but I know in Europe there are actually people specifically working with people recovering from trauma and offering them options to take part through volunteering or small jobs in special, supervised projects. Maybe that would be an option for you? I am sure they will the be the best people to understand you in your position, guide you through the process and later actually be your references for you next position. –  skymningen Commented Nov 28, 2016 at 8:59
• 4 Have you actually applied for some volunteer opportunities and gotten turned down? Or are you guessing you will get turned down based on the requirements? –  user45590 Commented Nov 28, 2016 at 11:20
• Some related, possible duplicate, questions: " I have no references for jobs " and " Career Advice for someone returning to work mid-life " –  David K Commented Nov 28, 2016 at 13:02
• @DavidK neither of those has any good answers, and the one below in this one is excellent advice. The second question is closed. –  Old_Lamplighter Commented Nov 28, 2016 at 13:48
• Even if you feel like you don't fill in all the check marks, you should apply either way. Those exigent demands are put there precisely to scare off people who don't really want that job. –  Sorin Lascu Commented Nov 29, 2016 at 11:48

2 Answers 2

A church pantry will take anyone who walks in and volunteers. Hospitals are looking for volunteer "patient advocates", etc.

You start from doing volunteer gigs that require no references, get people who work there to be willing to act as references, then get volunteer gigs that require references and go from there to paid entry-level positions.

Your state Department of Labor offers support programs for those who wish to re-enter the workforce. These support programs are a one-stop shop where you practice resume writing, interviewing for positions. They'll work with you and coach you on how to search for, apply and how to get a position, refer you actual positions, etc. As an example, here is New York state's support program: Workforce1

You seem to totally lack confidence in who you are let alone what you want to do. And you seem clueless as to what to do next. For this reason, you most likely need guidance and resources from your state's Department of Labor's work entry/re-entry support program, and you need it badly. If you don't have a clue what your state's Department of Labor's work entry/re-entry support program is, go to your local public library and ask the staff for help in searching for it.

Having said that, you have to drive your own job search. People, programs, organizations and institutions can give you an assist but the bottom line is that you are going to have to be the one who has to do what needs to get done. No guidance in the world can help you if you lack the motivation and drive to actually do something for yourself, show up at interviews and take rejections and keep at it until you get a position. Bottom line is the only person who can help you all the way is you. You can't afford to be afraid to fail. Because you will fail plenty before you get your first paid position.

As a side note: "How do I break through, secure a position, where the organization is glad to have someone filling in and not put me under microscope instead?" You say you don't want to be put under a microscope, and you want references? You've got a problem right here. Because references that can't knowledgeably talk about your job performance are of no value to your prospective employers. And that's a problem that you created for yourself.

• 4 +1 This is EXACTLY the route I took. It worked. I had a stroke which caused a gap. First I volunteered. I went from volunteering to a part-time retail job, which then became full-time, then I moved up to a data entry job, then a contract programming job, and now a full-time perm position as a programmer. This is the best advice possible. –  Old_Lamplighter Commented Nov 28, 2016 at 13:29
• @RichardU Not everybody is that lucky though. More often then not, people stop after the first or second step because their skills aren't very scarce on the market, and then sooner or later end up homeless because well, volunteering doesn't pay any bills. –  Magisch Commented Nov 28, 2016 at 14:16
• 2 @Magisch - you are Exhibit A that there's always a critic. I have no doubt that you have a much better idea on how to proceed somewhere in your brains. Why don't you produce your own answer? –  Vietnhi Phuvan Commented Nov 28, 2016 at 14:19
• 2 @Magisch I'm a half-deaf, autistic, learning disabled, diabetic, decrepit old man. If I can do it, anyone can. –  Old_Lamplighter Commented Nov 28, 2016 at 14:32
• 3 @Horat I do have talents, but I owe everything to my stubbornness and drive. After my stroke, I was told I'd never again be able to work in my field if I was to be able to work at all. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it. I'm not remarkable in any way other than a dogged refusal to give up. It's tough, believe me, I know. I came all the way back from being crippled and homeless. This is not a boast about myself, but an example, If I can come back, so can you. Believe in yourself, and you can do anything. –  Old_Lamplighter Commented Nov 30, 2016 at 21:36

Remember you are not alone; many have been in your shoes and I would suggest reaching out to any help groups related to your disability. Good idea to go to your area's Dept. of Labor as they have all kinds of resources to help. Get references from people who know you and who can say what talents they see; after all, employers are also looking for real people with human talents, such as dependable, able to adapt to new processes, team player, ethical, hard working, etc. Although that in itself may not be the requirements of the job, someone is looking for those traits and if the job is not too complicated, may hire you based on that. Possibly use a recruiter to help...

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5 Resume Mistakes to Avoid in 2024 (and What to Do Instead)

The first step in a job application is crafting an eye-catching resume. This task can feel especially high stakes, considering your resume will be the first thing most recruiters look at and make decisions based on. But don’t worry: It’s entirely possible to avoid common resume mistakes so that you land in recruiters’ “yes” pile.    

USC Online spoke to Lori Shreve Blake , senior director for career engagement at the USC Career Center, to uncover the top myths people may hear about writing their resumes — and what to do instead.  

Myth #1: There’s One Right Way to Format Your Resume  

The internet is awash with free resume templates and resume writing advice. But the truth is, the type of resume you should use will vary depending on your target role, industry, work experience and life circumstances.     

“There’s not one size fits all,” Shreve Blake said. “There’s not, ‘Everybody follows this one resume type, and it will get you a job.’ It does not work like that.”  

One factor to consider when deciding what type of resume to use is how many years you’ve spent in the workforce. Recent graduates may choose to emphasize their education, internships and university involvement, while someone who has several jobs under their belt will lead with their employment history and accomplishments.  

Your target position and the industry you are in will also inform how you write your resume, including the length. You may have heard that a resume should never exceed one page — but that’s not entirely true. While people with less experience, or those who work in certain industries like engineering and consulting, should generally stick to a one-page resume, senior executives might have a resume up to three pages long.  

“If I’m going for the CEO job, or a senior executive role, then it’s likely I’ve had at least 10 to 20 years of experience,” Shreve Blake said. “And I’ve had a lot of great experiences that will qualify me to be a senior executive. Therefore, I could have a longer resume to highlight relevant achievements.”  

What about if you’ve been out of the workforce for a while or want to pivot to an entirely new career? In those cases, Shreve Blake says a resume should be structured to highlight transferable skills. Or consider a functional resume, which shifts the focus to skills rather than work experience.  

Shreve Blake recommends making several resume variations based on the main types of jobs you’ll be applying for, with skills sections tailored to those positions.  

But don’t go overboard.  

“Let’s say, I want to work in entertainment,” Shreve Blake said. “I don’t believe you should have 500 different resumes for all the jobs you’re going to apply to in entertainment, but maybe focus it in on [either] editing or writing or producing … so that you appear qualified and have the key buzzwords for the role you are applying to.”  

Myth #2: You Should Game the System with Hacks Like “White Fonting”  

In a recent TikTok trend, creators suggest “white fonting”: copying the entire job description and pasting it in a tiny, white font on your resume so it’s invisible to the naked eye. The idea is to make your resume stand out to the applicant tracking system (ATS), a software that aids recruiters in the hiring process, by matching all the target keywords recruiters are looking for.  

While it’s important to use keywords from the job description in your resume, there are better ways to go about it than using hacks like “white fonting,” Shreve Blake said. Instead, she suggests using tools like ChatGPT to quickly identify the top 10 keywords used in a job description, then adding the applicable ones to your resume skills section. (Shreve Blake added that, when using AI this way, you should always cross-check to make sure the words are actually in the job description and aren’t hallucinations.)  

Tricks like “white fonting” can also backfire. The ATS is just the first step recruiters use to identify potential candidates. If your resume makes it to the top, a real person will read it. And if your experience and skills don’t match what they’re looking for, they’ll toss it.  

Also, most applicants won’t be a 100 percent match to a given job description — and that’s okay, Shreve Blake says.  

“For the long term, people want to hire people who are ethical and who are honest,” Shreve Blake said. “You want to come in on day one honest and being a candidate and a future employee of integrity and ethics.”  

Myth #3: You Should Use Your Dad’s Resume Template from 1990  

First-time job seekers often turn to their friends, parents or other relatives for advice on writing a resume. Although some tenets of resume writing remain ageless, some trends are decidedly “out” in the 21st century, Shreve Blake said.  

For example, 20 years ago, applicants often wrote “references available upon request” at the bottom of their resumes. This is no longer recommended since it’s a given that candidates who move up to number one will provide references when asked, Shreve Blake says.  

“It’s a waste of space,” Shreve Blake said. “Your resume is prime real estate and needs to be well organized and highlight your accomplishments. Every word that you have on there is very important. So, you don’t want random words that mean nothing.”  

Putting home addresses on a resume is also a thing of the past. Instead, Shreve Blake recommends simply including your city and state, phone number and email address in the header of your resume. Your LinkedIn URL is also a great addition to the contact information section — but only if your LinkedIn profile is up to date!  

“Your LinkedIn profile is literally like your personal website,” Shreve Blake said. “And LinkedIn is where all the employers are. So, it needs to be taken very, very seriously.”  

Finally, objectives, or statements about who you are and what kind of job you’re looking for, are no longer necessary on a resume. It’s better to save this for your cover letter .   

And some past resume writing formats, such as including your photo in the corner or using first-person pronouns, were never a good idea, Shreve Blake adds.  

Myth #4: The More Words on Your Resume, the Better!

Gone are the days when wordy sentences were considered professional. Shreve Blake recommends streamlining your resume with bullet points and well-chosen words.  

The Situation, Task, Action, Result — or STAR — Method is a great place to start, Shreve Blake said.  

“[Bullet points] should be very concise, but very powerful with action verbs, results, numbers, percentages and dollars,” Shreve Blake advised.  

For each bullet point, describe the situation and task using a third-person action verb. Examples could include “developed a competitive analysis,” “started a company” or “created a social media strategy.”  

Next, use a transition verb that describes your action in the given situation. Maybe to develop the competitive analysis, you had to research 25 competitors and present that information — put that here.   

Finally, show results in numbers, percentages or dollar amounts, if possible. You can also write about notable people who were impacted by your work. Maybe after creating your competitive analysis, you presented your findings to the CEO. That also counts as an important result!   

Here’s our final bullet point according to the STAR Method: “Developed a competitive analysis, researching 25 competitors’ products, presenting information to the CEO and Chief Marketing Officer.”  

Shreve Blake recommends using this method to write each bullet point on your resume. This ensures you convey your expertise and the value you can bring to the company.  

Myth #5: What Makes a “Good” Resume is Completely Subjective  

With so much conflicting advice and information available online and on social media about writing resumes, you may assume that there is no “right” way to write a resume. But even though there’s not a one-size-fits-all approach, there are still best practices you can use to up your resume writing game to get interviews.  

Shreve Blake recommends job seekers use a resume checker like Jobscan  to get quick feedback on their resumes. If you’re in college, you can also visit your campus’s career center for personalized advice on your resume and job hunt. However, even if you don’t have access to a university, resources like the USC Career Center’s resume booklet are available online for free.  

Shreve Blake noted it’s normal for applicants to struggle with highlighting their best and most relevant accomplishments to the job on their resume so they can rise to the top and get noticed by both the ATS and live recruiters.  

“That struggle of 20 years ago is still a struggle today,” Shreve Blake said. “Many people find difficulty writing and updating a resume. And it’s a process of learning! As people manage their career journeys, the resume is always a work in progress.”  

Access more  career advice  from USC Online today.

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• Five Ways to Fill Up a Resume When You Haven’t Done Anything

This is the time of year when college students start working on their resumes for summer jobs and internships. This can be a scary thing for a college student for a two reasons. The first is that college students probably have very little or no experience writing resumes. The second is that college kids have very little or no experience with anything at all. This can, and often does, result in a resume with a whole lot of white space, or a resume with a whole lot of irrelevant “interests” and high school awards. This is not something you want.

Five ways to fill up a resume when you haven’t done anything.

1. go in depth about summer and part time jobs..

I’m assuming you have had at least one job, be it in high school or during the summer, or maybe just a work study thing. It may seem silly to you to really analyze your burger flipping experience when you’re applying for an internship at a magazine, but you really should present it as important. Employers aren’t expecting this experience to be really meaningful. What they do want to see is how you present it. Using numbers, giving specifics, and estimating the volume of cheeseburgers you made shows you are somebody who is on top of what they are doing, it shows you are detailed oriented, and it shows you take everything seriously, including yourself.

2. Create an academic projects section and treat each entry like a job.

Academic projects allow you to demonstrate skills to employers. Depending on the project, your major, and what kind of job you are applying for, the skills you are displaying can be pretty varied. You might want to show you know how to perform a type of financial analysis or that you are proficient with AutoCAD. But the skills you want to demonstrate, regardless of the details, are the ability to write or give a presentation (by saying how long the paper or presentation you gave was), the ability to research (by listing the different academic databases you used, like Jstor and EBSCOhost), and the ability to work with a team (if you worked as a team say how many people were on the team). Also, remember to explain what the point of the project was and what your conclusion was.

3. Don’t list hobbies, but do list independent projects.

Think about any projects you’ve done for yourself or with friends. This could be building a computer game, brewing beer, or setting up an event. These can be spun as independent projects. Treat them the same way as academic projects and create an “independent projects” section. You want to demonstrate skills you used to bring the project to life. Also include dates that you worked on them. Don’t present them as a hobby or interest. Say what you DID and be concrete.

4. Volunteerism and associations.

Treat associations you are a part of like jobs. Say what you did for them, and focus on any titles that you had. For volunteerism, make sure you say what you did and provide the number of hours you spent volunteering (feel free to estimate).

5. Relevant coursework is your final option.

If you have nothing else, or just desperately need to fill space, you can include relevant coursework. Academic projects are much more effective, but if you don’t have any you can list relevant coursework. Don’t give general topics. Be specific and list the class names and the grades you got, provided they are good. Hopefully, even if you don’t have much relevant experience, or any experience at all, you can still use the above ideas to create a resume that isn’t mostly white space. If you’re still stuck, remember that your friends at Resume to Interviews can certainly help you out. It’s sort of what we do.

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• College graduates have very little experience writing resumes. Often times they do not have work experience. We can help with these tips!

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How To Write a Resume for Your First Job

Imagine yourself stumbling across your dream job listing. You’re reading through the responsibilities and job tasks and you find yourself getting more and more excited as the list goes on. Then, it’s time to apply. But you have no real-world job experience. You’re just a student! How will you ever write a resume for your first job when you haven’t had one yet?

Knowing how to write a resume for your first job does not come naturally. In fact, it feels like a daunting task. If you have little applicable experience yet, or you’re just entering the workforce, how can you prove you’re the right fit for the position? 

Resumes are an excellent way to tout your knowledge, training and (if applicable) skills in the field. You can create an attractive resume highlighting your candidacy without any direct experience or prior work history.

We’ll show you how to write a resume for your first job so you can kick off your work experience with preparedness and confidence.

• Do you need a resume?
• What should you put on a resume?

Crafting a resume with no experience

Finalizing your first job resume, quick guide: write your first resume in 6 steps, do you need a resume for your first job.

While a resume may not be required to apply for your first job, it is highly recommended that you do so, and it will undoubtedly set you apart from the other applicants. A resume reflects your professionalism and commitment to the job application process. It showcases your knowledge, skills, training and prior experience in an easy-to-digest and relatively standard format, making it easy for potential employers to decipher between candidates to choose the best person for the job.

Even for entry-level positions, when many applicants don’t have a prior work history, sharing a resume will give you a competitive edge when written persuasively.

The role of a resume in job applications

A resume plays an important role when applying for jobs. It serves as an introduction to potential employers and those in the company who will decide whether or not to move forward with your application. It also provides a summary of what you bring to the table for those who will be interviewing you during the application process.

The resume is essential for showcasing your skills. A well-crafted and persuasive resume can highlight your achievements and knowledge, even if you have limited work experience in the field you’re applying to. Because your resume is the first contact point between you and a potential employer, it’s crucial to understand how to write a resume for your first job – and how to write it well.

What should you put on a resume for your first job?

There are a few things every resume must include – and those are some of the most essential details.

Contact information

We’d be remiss if we didn’t include the most important part of your resume – sharing your contact information. Start by listing your full name, phone number, email address and a link to your LinkedIn profile. Without your contact information, potential employers will have a hard time contacting you, which can prevent you from getting an interview.

Why share a link to your LinkedIn profile ? LinkedIn is now an essential part of the job search market. It serves as a shareable resume in addition to showcasing your network. Employers can see if you have any professionals in common from work or personal life, which may help build your credibility as a candidate.

Be sure to act professionally on LinkedIn. Share relevant news and insights to highlight your interest and knowledge of an industry, but be wary of getting too personal or engaging in inappropriate dialogue. Behave on LinkedIn as you would in an office setting with colleagues.

Educational background and achievements

Start by listing your educational information, such as schools attended, graduation dates and relevant academic achievements or awards. Include your major and minor, field of study and GPA. If you were enrolled in courses, projects or study abroad programs relevant to the job, include details to show your knowledge and interests.

Skills section

While you likely have some combination of hard and soft skills, a skills section will showcase the hard skills you’ve learned to prepare you for the job. Soft skills are best to be included in the bullet points to describe your accomplishments in your experience section.

• Hard skills include specific technical skills you’ve learned along the way. For example, computer proficiency, language skills, lab skills or specific training or certifications.
• Soft skills , or human skills, include job aspects that apply to many (if not all) job roles. These include communication, teamwork and problem-solving. If you’re particularly adept in any of these, showcase them and be prepared to share real examples of these skills in action.

Extracurricular activities and volunteer work

Employers look for candidates who go the extra mile to be involved in extracurricular activities. This demonstrates your commitment to becoming a well-rounded human being. Highlight clubs, sports or volunteer activities that you were involved in, especially emphasizing leadership roles or particular responsibilities you had in these activities. This extracurricular activity showcases your ability to multi-task, prioritize time and develop skills and interests.

Example Resume & Writing Guide

See a real-life example of a strong resume, including tips for gathering your own persuasive experience and skills using our Resume Writing Guide !

As a young adult or new graduate, you may wonder how to write a resume for your first job with no real-world experience. Don’t fear – there have been many in your shoes before you!

What does a resume look like for a first job?

Your resume should be straightforward with a clean and concise design. It should be easy to read with a simple flow highlighting information from most important to nice-to-have details. Do not go overboard with design details, fonts or graphics. 

Furman recommends that you use Microsoft Word to build your resume as it can be easier to make changes to a Word document than it is to change a template. However, you can use free resume builder tools online to build your resume in standard formats.

• Myperfectresume.com
• Resumenerd.com

Using strong action words and job-specific keywords in your resume for your first job will significantly impact you. Describe experiences and achievements using strong action verbs, such as:

• Collaborated
• Volunteered

What to put on a resume with no experience?

You can learn how to write a resume for your first job that impresses potential employers, even without relevant work experience, by emphasizing relevant coursework. Doing this demonstrates skills learned in a classroom or group project setting. Highlight personal or academic projects showcasing your abilities, such as experiences where you took the lead as a group or team leader.

Before submitting your first job resume, review and edit the document for mistakes or improvements.

Proofreading and editing

Attention to detail is critical to potential employers. Check your resume for typos and grammatical errors. Mistakes on your resume may eliminate you as a candidate, especially if grammatical adeptness or attention to detail is essential to the job.

Similarly, ensure a consistent design throughout your resume. Stick to one format, using one legible font and minimal design details. A professional resume appearance can set you apart from other applicants’ resumes that may appear messy or disorganized.

Seeking feedback

Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback from friends, mentors or even career services at schools or community centers. A peer review from your fellow students, teachers or mentors can provide invaluable input on skills you may be forgetting, plus the extra set of eyes can help detect errors and typos.

Career services at your school or library also serve as an excellent third-party validation and review resource. Furman’s Malone Center for Career Engagement offers in-depth career preparation services for students, such as resume and cover letter assistance , career fairs and networking , personalized advice from advisors and interview prep – just to name a few.

Webinar: Polishing Your Resume & Preparing Your Pitch

Watch the free Polishing Your Resume & Preparing Your Pitch webinar for an in-depth look at creating your resume and preparing a pitch to potential employers straight from a Furman career advisor.

Now, do you feel ready and excited to write a resume for your first job? We hope you jotted down notes specific to your experience as you read through the post, but in case you didn’t, writing your resume can be simplified to these simple steps.

• Start with your contact information , including full name, phone number and email address. Consider adding a link to your LinkedIn profile.
• List your education experience , including relevant projects, courses and extracurricular activities.
• List both hard skills and soft skills relevant to the job.
• Explain your roles and responsibilities in your projects and extracurricular activities, especially those where you acted in a leadership capacity, using strong action verbs.
• Proofread and gather feedback.

If this is your first time writing a resume for your first job, approach the process with confidence and positivity. Your attitude will shine through the resume, so stay positive!

The perspectives and thoughts shared in the Furman Blog belong solely to the author and may not align with the official stance or policies of Furman University. All referenced sources were accurate as of the date of publication.

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Résumé gaps don't have to kill your job search — here's what to say about them

• Slowdowns in some industries mean it's taking longer for some workers to land new roles.
• The pandemic helped normalize résumé gaps, with many workers experiencing employment disruptions .
• Career experts advise explaining gaps briefly and then pivoting to relevant skills and strengths.

When Vicki Salemi's father got sick, she cut back on her work as a freelance writer to spend time with him.

After he eventually died in late 2012, she was devastated.

"He was my best friend," Salemi told Business Insider.

As she tried to recover, she faced another problem: There was a hole in her résumé that made clear she hadn't been working for a while.

So Salemi, now a career expert for Monster, added a line to her CV to show that the monthslong gap existed for good reason. She didn't want anyone to wonder what she'd been up to — or question it and risk derailing her momentum in an interview she might otherwise be crushing.

"I didn't want to get asked about it because I was knee-deep in grief," she said.

Salemi isn't alone in having a résumé where the end of one job doesn't align neatly with the start of the next. Between layoffs , gig work, and the economic and social quagmire of the pandemic, many workers have blank spots in their formal work history . But that doesn't have to be a dealbreaker when it comes to finding another role .

The pandemic poked holes in work

The trick to dealing with résumé gaps is to have an explanation, career experts told BI. Sometimes, it's best to put the reason on the résumé itself, Salemi said. One bright spot for her after her father died was that she ultimately got the job.

"I remember when I had that phone interview with my future boss, she was like, 'Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that,'" Salemi said. "She just addressed it, acknowledged it, and then moved right on."

Julia Toothacre, chief career strategist at ResumeTemplates.com , told BI that her advice on résumé gaps is far different from what she would have said a decade ago. Breaks in work experience are often just a thing now and don't necessarily have to be papered over.

Related stories

That's because the pandemic threw so many people out of work and disrupted so much about the labor force that everything got a bit messy. In her experience, Toothacre said, most people doing the hiring are more sympathetic to the vagaries of the job market now.

"Any recruiter or hiring manager worth anything understands what's been going on in the world of work. It does not matter what sector you're in," she said.

It's OK to say you were laid off

Toothacre said that, unlike in the past, it's generally not as detrimental to be up front about a work drought on a résumé. That doesn't mean some people in charge of hiring won't ding applicants for it. But she said that itself can be a useful red flag for job seekers.

"If that's a situation that you're in, you don't want to work for that person anyway," Toothacre said.

She recommends that if you were laid off, note that on your résumé. Or, she said, you could add a section that talks about being off work for personal reasons like having to care for someone.

Depending on the grounds for the break, it can be wise to be somewhat circumspect, she said. If you were off because of a protracted illness, it might be smart not to go too deep into it. Even though employers shouldn't discriminate against people for, say, having young kids who need attention, it can happen.

Yet Toothacre said the decision by LinkedIn to let users add a career break to their profile has helped normalize the idea that not all formal work unfolds without interruption.

Salemi, from Monster, said in her experience more job seekers have gaps than don't. And many people tend to overthink how to address them, she said. Her advice is to be prepared to talk about the breaks — and use that explanation to move the conversation forward.

Even for workers who were fired, they could say something like, "I was the last one in, first one out," Salemi said. Then comes the pivot. One example she offered: "But the past three months really gave me clarity for this job I'm pursuing because my strengths are in sales," she said.

Don't dwell on the gap

Salemi said the key is to address the hiatus so an interviewer doesn't get stuck on it. For those who might have done something like get additional education, build their skills, or work on a side hustle, it can be OK or even beneficial to talk about it, she said.

There are other ways job seekers can downplay fallow spots in their formal work history. One is to perhaps not list start dates and end dates using months. Instead, Salemi said, consider using only years.

Another technique is to position the skills up top instead of first listing work history in reverse chronological order. That can help a busy recruiter focus on what's most important, Lee Woodrow, owner and principal consultant at Bigger Fish Executive Branding, previously told BI.

Salemi said it's no surprise that having too many gaps can be a problem. But for most breaks, explain it and move on. If possible, do it in a single sentence with two parts. The first portion is why the gap exists, and the second is why you're the best person for the job, she said.

"Especially if you're a top candidate, it's not necessarily a liability for you," Salemi said.

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