Q: What do I do about employment gaps in my work history? How can I make gaps lessnoticeable so prospective employers consider hiring me?
– Kimberly M. Jeffries, Registered Nursing, Associate Degree Program Student
A: Everyone faces this situation. There are several areas that cover employment gaps: education, actual work history, ex-offender work history, volunteer activities, and non-work history. The best thing you can do is prepare ahead of time and make a great résumé with the information you do have.
Education is a great gap-filler. It lets employers know what you did when you weren’t working, that you value education, you are willing to learn new things, and you can be trained. Always list
your MATC education on your résumé, even if you are still attending college. For example:
08/2006 – Present Milwaukee Area Technical College, Milwaukee, WI
? A.A.S., Accounting Anticipated graduation: May 2010
OR ? A.A.S., Accounting Graduated December 2010
Work history goes back about 10 years. List employment dates by month and year. For example:
June 2005 – Present Macy’s Department Store Sales Associate
OR Kohl’s Dept. Store, Menomonee Falls, WI Aug. 2007-Dec. 2009
OR May 2001 – Present Private Residences CNA
Ex-offender work history should identify your skills, goals, and qualifications acquired while incarcerated. For example:
Men’s Correctional Facility, Waupaca, WI Kitchen Supervisor 1999 – 2005
Directed performance of 23 men in preparation, service, clean-up of meals
Applied strong leadership, conflict-resolution, and mediation skills
Commended for consistent excellent management and job performance
Volunteer work activities are much the same as regular work; include them in your résumé in a similar format with dates, the organization name, and your title while volunteering for them.
Non-work history involves time between positions and education when you don’t have anything to “report” on your résumé. Create a skills/abilities section then identify new skills you developed while away from work. Discuss how you are dependable, conscientious, hardworking, willing to be trained, and will help the company meet its goals.
Keep your résumé positive and include all applicable information to fill gaps. Next, prepare for your interview by being able to talk about your résumé and being able to convince the prospective
employer you are the best person for the position.
For more information about this and other employment-related information, contact
Joanne Johnson-Clauser, Employment Development Specialist.
Visit: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily in Room S203 at the Milwaukee Campus
Call: (414) 297-7765
E-Mail: [email protected]
