How can you write a resume after a long absence from the workforce?

Craft a post-gap resume by highlighting transferable skills. Start with contact info and a summary. Create a skills section showcasing key abilities. List relevant work, quantifying achievements. Include education, training, and personal projects. Tailor for each job. Leverage networking and cover letters for context and emphasis.

It's okay if you have a career gap- just explain it and highlight any volunteering you did or activities to maintain your skills. Definitely use the LinkedIn career gap to tell your story, and you also could consider a non-chronological resume if you want to highlight your most relevant background.

Put the things straight in black and white. Reason for gap and what all the initiatives you took during the gap is more important. Many will go for certification, seminars and workshop. Further also highlight the relevant development (product, customer, supplier, region) in industry during particular time. So employer or hiring manger will have some confidence though your out of job, you will be still connected to Industry and upskilling.

1. Make a list of your skills. 2. Make a list of the skills that the job you are applying for requires. 3. Combine both and now you have your transferable skills list. 4. Include this list in your cover letter 5. Emphasise this list in your interview. And here you go :) Best of the luck in your applications.

Focus more on what you have done during the gap from an employability skills and knowledge retraining perspective and the key areas of experience and strengths that you are known for in the value that you bring to the next employer. I would personally advise on going easy on the reason for sabbatical and it might be something that you wish to share only when asked during an interview. To highlight transferable skills, look into your career journey, what are you most proud of and what you are motivated by. For a resume that you are sending for a role, always customise it based on the role description, highlight keywords in the accountabilities and criteria that would be relevant and applicable to your background.

There are a large number of free courses and training programmes now available. Look at courses such as key skills for Microsoft office, and other core subjects as a way to demonstrate your recent learning and keenness to build your career. Find out what government back to work schemes exist to be able to do in person learning to. Often the subject for the employer matters less as they won't expect you to know the role, but demonstrating a willingness to learn is the aim.

It makes a huge difference even you have only started a course relevant to the position you're applying for. It shows that you are eager to learn and you are up for whatever the job takes. I remember one time where a candidate applied for a Quality Manager job where an auditor certificate was required. When she realised the company's need she immediately signed up for the course and after 3 weeks when she went to the 2nd interview she was half way to get the auditor certificate. And she got the job! Wishing you best of the luck in your applications:)

To demonstrate your commitment to staying current in your field, consider updating your resume with relevant education and training. Include formal degrees, certifications, courses, workshops, or webinars you've completed or are currently pursuing. Mention the institution's name, program title, and the date of completion or expected completion. If you've taken online courses, provide a link to your portfolio or certificate of completion. This showcases your dedication to professional growth and assures potential employers of your readiness to contribute effectively in a rapidly evolving job market.

Critical point: Even if you've taken a free course, don't hesitate to include it. What matters most is that you incorporate this information because the crucial aspect is the knowledge acquired—of course, as long as it is relevant to your career goals.

Demonstrate your commitment to staying current in your field by updating your education and training on your resume. Include any formal degrees, certifications, courses, workshops, or webinars you've completed or are currently pursuing. Specify the institution's name, program title, and completion date or expected completion. If you've taken online courses, consider providing a link to your portfolio or certificate of completion.

@Lisa K. McDonald - HEAR, HEAR! Your comments resonated. Do not justify. Do not sugarcoat. Do not minimise or worse, marginalise. Just tell YOUR story. Honestly, consistently and OWN it. Gaps are no longer a cardinal sin. Should never have been judged as such. Now or ever.

Owning your story and how it is perceived is the key to your brand. With employment gaps: 🔸 Avoiding the Shell Game: A functional resume can give the vibe you're being evasive. They'll figure out the gap, don't make it your story. 🔸 Open Strong: Lead with impact. Highlight what you offer and why you stand out. Showcase results and skills, no matter when they were achieved. 🔸 Experience Details: Examine the gap for its merits. How did you grow professionally or personally? Frame your experience during that time in terms of business value. 🔸 Skills: Gaps often come with learning. Identify and list those skills. Your resume is YOUR story. Don’t disguise the gap; turn it into an asset or unique storytelling opportunity.

Consider a functional or hybrid resume format for a long career gap. Start with contact info and a skills-focused summary. Prioritize transferable skills in a dedicated section. Detail relevant experiences and achievements. Include education and certifications. Customize for each job. Use networking and cover letters to explain the gap and highlight your skills.

Be honest and transparent….always and without exception!! Don’t try to hide your work gaps, people will notice them anyway. Incorporate them into your CV focusing on what you learnt during those periods. Highlight your skills and achievements, rather than chronological dates worked at a bunch of companies. We are all humans and hiring managers are human too 😉

When returning to the workforce after an extended absence, the choice of resume format is crucial. Depending on the length of your hiatus and the relevance of your previous work experience to your current career goals, consider opting for a functional or hybrid format. The functional format spotlights your skills and accomplishments, de-emphasizing chronological work history. On the other hand, the hybrid format strikes a balance between showcasing your skills and presenting your work experience. Both formats allow you to accentuate your strengths while mitigating potential gaps or inconsistencies in your resume, making it more appealing to prospective employers.

Your resume has one goal: to get you an interview. To do that, it needs to get through ATS systems and capture the attention of recruiters and employers. Because that's the goal, you may or may not have to explain your career gap. If it's less than six months, it usually doesn't warrant discussing on your resume. If the gap is longer than six months—and especially if it's at the top of your resume—a brief line is often sufficient. Some job seekers will say "sabbatical" and leave it at that. If an employer or recruiter is interested in the other things you're sharing on your resume, they'll contact you. Then, during that initial phone screen, you can address your gap. (Still, don't share too much detail—and keep it positive!)

When talking about your break you will have always done things which will be useful, budget management and time management are two skills you will have used during your break. Also, perhaps consider an element of humour in positioning the time. One of my favourite role titles for someone's career break was ' Managing Director of Family Office' where they developed skills such as managing multiple schedules, being an unpaid taxi service and balancing budgets in a sometimes stressful pressurised environment.

The resume's purpose is to help maximise the chances of landing a job interview. While there will always be hiring biases, I would suggest explaning the reasons for the break only when asked during a job interview. As a former recruiter, I have often seen some judgemental remarks on candidates who had to take breaks due to personal reasons and it was not always welcomed by some recruiters. I would suggest outlining all the courses, programs and anything else that you have been doing during the break that can help you from a professional development and employability perspective. You may wish to add a line that a personal break was taken during a certain time period and that you are happy to share more details upon request if comfortable.

It is important to address the “elephant” in the room, otherwise a potential employer will make their own assumptions (they won’t be good believe me - time in jail the worst option). So be as succinct as you can knowing you will be able to give more information in the interview. Addressing the gap in the resume with a short explanation shows you are acknowledging it and are prepared to discuss. When you do explain the detail - don’t play down your skills and be confident about moving into the next phase of your career. If you are uncomfortable explaining the gap, the employer will sense that and be wary. You can’t make it go away so address it head on instead.

Four things to keep in mind: 1 Less is more. 2 Clear is better than cute. 3 Life happens. 4 EVERY step in your journey has value. Here's a two-part framework to explain a break: 🔸 Provide a clear title (maintaining consistency with the 'professional experience'). Full-time Caretaker for Family Members. Personal World-Tour Sabbatical. (I'm calling this more clever than cute) Student - Completed Advanced Degree Full-Time. This gives a straightforward answer to their immediate question (what were you up to?) but saves the deeper conversation for the interview. 🔸 Within this opening context, describe lessons or skills learned and how they translate to business value as bullet points. It's your journey, own it. #careermanagement

You may utilise ChatGPT's skills fo proofread your resume and to tailor it for each application. Just use the right prompts and let AI do its magic :) Please DM me if you need any support for the prompts.

Cutomizing the resume is a must. Show genuine commitment and passion towards the job role. Showcase how your skills and experience make you the right fit and do not confuse the recruiter.

Addressing your career break in a positive and succinct manner is important. You can incorporate a summary statement or career objective in your resume to briefly convey your current status and motivation for returning to work. Additionally, consider using your cover letter to provide more context, explaining how your career break has allowed you to acquire new skills, gain valuable perspectives, or develop interests that align with the requirements of your target job. This proactive approach not only addresses any potential concerns but also highlights the value you bring as a candidate who has grown and evolved during your time away from the workforce.

There are professionals with various expertise who have three resume models. The key is to be strategic and always analyze the job description with your material.

Prior to sending your resume to any potential employer, it's crucial to proofread it meticulously and tailor it to the specific job description. Hunt for any spelling, grammar, or formatting errors that could undermine your professionalism and credibility. Incorporate keywords and phrases that align with the requirements and expectations of the employer. Customize your resume for each job application, showcasing that you've conducted research and are genuinely interested in the opportunity. This extra effort can significantly enhance your chances of getting noticed by employers.

Remember that a gap in your work history is not necessarily a negative. Focus on showcasing your ability to adapt, learn, and apply your transferable skills effectively in a new role.

Curriculo, nada mais é do que uma forma de apresentar suas atividades para o recrutador. Agora o que vai fazer diferença nesse momento é ter se mantido atualizado. Uma pessoa que está fora do seu mercado há 10 anos, mas se mantêm estudando, sabe as tendências, manteve o seu relacionamento e apenas não está atuando de fato na área, tem grandes chances de se recolocar bem mais rápido.

Career breaks can be challenging, especially long ones. But the reality is, life isn't linear and stuff happens. We face challenges. We should be careful how much information we share with employers. The more we share, the more vulnerable we become to bias.