What is the best way to present a gap in work history in a resume or coverletter? Haven't done this in 6 yrs.

Question

I used to work in a technical field. For various reasons I left and earned a bachelors in fine arts. Now I need to make the money I used to, how do I make this look positive to a prospective employer?

Answer 1

As a professional in the HR/Recruiting Field for over 10 years, I've seen this handled in many positive and "not so positive" ways.

The best way to handle the cover letter is to openly describe how BOTH your experience and education have prepared you for the job in which you are now applying. In other words, you don't want it to actually sound like you are explaining a "gap". The education simply adds to your repertoire of qualifications for the job and is should be discussed in that manner.

The same applies to your resume. This educational "gap" is in fact a qualification. So simply place it in your resume in the appropriate chronological order as your work history and describe the degree, your classwork, and honors achieved as you would describe your job experience.

I always recommend adding a section of either "Selected Achievements" or "Skills & Qualifications" and, if possible placing this before all else. In this section, you will be able to use a bulleted list of your skills as they relate to the job criteria.

Good luck with your career.

Answer 2

Leaving work to attend school isn't something that will be frowned upon by an employer because you weren't partying and just wasting time. You were furthering your education, which is something employers definitely admire. Not everyone is willing to be trained, and you're showing them you are.

Now I would suggest you be prepared to answer the question about your not working while going to school. Many students today work and go to school. Not that this is going to hurt you because focusing your efforts on doing the best you can in school is a good thing, but it is something that might come up.

For example, I have several students in my classes who work full or part-ime while going to school. These people can be your competition, so it's a perfectly valid question to be raised during an interview. Be prepared for it!

Answer 3

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Answer 4

Good answer from Ananke. Usually gaps are acceptable if you went back to school to further your education or to gain new skills for your current field. Many people have gaps on their resumes these days. As long as you filled your time doing something productive you should be ok.

Good luck

Answer 5

I always cover it with school. I was kind of spottily going to school during a time of not working, and I work for a massive corporation in a fairly responsible job now and nobody ever checked the school thing.

Answer 6

you say you left work and took six years to do a fine arts degree course?
just be honest and say you took time out for self improvement through education. and list what education you did, incledu anything and everything relevant to the job you are applying for.
if you are worried say the course was a full time course (even if it was part time) and stick to only giving general; non specific information on the issue.
just my opinion. what i'd do in your situation. but for reference only: due to the NHS botching a couple of operations on me here in the UK i've been out of work since 2000 on medical grounds.

Answer 7

Find a way to spin your FA degree into your engineering objectives. If you are a tech writer, for example, maybe the degree in FA will help polish your writing skills to a non-technical audience?

Answer 8

I basically agree with the previous answers. The best way, in any situation, to cover a gap in work history is: Honestly! :-)

Answer 9

you left for school? easy..... in your cover letter mention that you returned to school for higher education and then state one or two reasons this will help their company. for example, what did you learn that makes you a better employee?