Mind the job gap

"He must have been in jail," one employer told me as he reviewed applications. He was holding the resume of an applicant who had not worked in nine months.

Jobseekers take note: It may be unfair, but employers have a negative bias about gaps in the work history of a job candidate. They may not think you were in jail, but they might think you have a poor work ethic.

De-emphasize gaps in work history by using a functional resume rather than the more conventional chronological resume. A functional resume describes skills by categories rather than in a chronological tally of job titles.

Another resume-enhancing trick is to include non paid volunteer work or community involvement in the experience section. In some instances unpaid experience can be a valuable addition to any jobseeker's qualifications. Find part-time, temporary or even freelance work to strengthen your qualifications.

The jobseeker must be prepared to face the music about gaps.

Preparation is the most effective technique to deal with resume gaps. If you explain the gap in a cover letter, have someone read the letter to suggest changes. If you prefer to explain it in the interview, set up a mock interview with a friend and take time to practice your responses to what can be a touchy issue.