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A COVID-related employment gap isn’t the dealbreaker it might seem. Employers understand the unique challenges of that time, and with the right approach, you can turn this gap into a selling point.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to address the COVID gap on your resume with confidence, reframe it as a strength, and stand out in today’s competitive job market.
How to Phrase the COVID Gap on Your Resume
Crafting a strong explanation for a COVID-related employment gap requires balance. Be transparent without oversharing, and confident without overcompensating. When approached strategically, addressing employment gaps due to COVID-19 can transform them into valuable assets.
1. Label the Gap with a Professional Title
Give your COVID gap a title that reflects growth or purpose. Avoid vague or apologetic terms like “Unemployed” or “Jobless.” Instead, choose titles that show the gap as an intentional phase for development or responsibilities.
Examples:
Add a Short, Positive Description of Your Activities
After labeling the gap, include a concise explanation of how you used the time productively. This is your chance to highlight professional development, volunteer work, or any meaningful accomplishments during the gap.
Examples:
Highlight Skills and Experience Gained During the Gap
Use the gap as an opportunity to showcase what you learned or achieved. Emphasize skills, experiences, or certifications gained that are relevant to the role you’re pursuing.
Examples:
Tailor Your COVID Gap Explanation to the Job You Want
Connect the skills and experiences gained during your gap directly to the job you’re applying for. This makes your explanation relevant and positions you as a strong candidate.
Examples:
Keep Your Explanation Brief and Positive
Avoid overexplaining or apologizing for the gap. Keep your explanation professional, short, and focused on your strengths and what you’re ready to bring to the table.
Example Templates for Including a COVID Gap on Your Resume
Career Pause for Caregiving
Independent Projects and Development
Where to Address the COVID Gap on Your Resume
Explaining a COVID-related gap on your resume can influence how it’s perceived. A clear and professional explanation helps recruiters focus on your skills and readiness for new opportunities. Here’s how to address it strategically.
1. Add It to the Work Experience Section
If the gap falls between jobs, your work experience section is the most logical place to explain employment gaps. This keeps your resume clean and chronological, making it easier for employers to follow your employment history.
Here’s how to write it:
- Add a timeline entry for the gap, just like you would for a previous job. Use a professional title such as “Career Pause” or “Professional Sabbatical.”
- Include 1-2 bullet points that explain how you used the time productively, such as completing online courses, volunteering with a local food bank, or focusing on professional development.
Example:
2. Create a Dedicated Career Gap Section
For significant employment gaps, such as those lasting over a year, a dedicated section may work better. This strategy allows you to control the narrative and highlight productive activities or professional growth during your career break.
Label the section professionally with titles like “Career Break” or “COVID-19 Impact.” This makes your intentions clear and eliminates ambiguity for employers.
Example:
3. Include the COVID Gap in the Summary or Professional Profile
If the gap is recent or tied to a career change, address it upfront in your resume summary or professional profile. This allows you to frame the gap as a purposeful part of your journey toward your career goals, setting a confident tone.
Example:
4. In Your Cover Letter
Your resume doesn’t need to carry the full weight of explaining your COVID gap. Use your cover letter to provide additional context, highlight your growth, and connect your gap to the job you’re applying for.
Managing COVID Gaps During a Career Switch
Making a career change is exciting, but adding a COVID-related gap can feel like tackling two challenges. Employers are now more open to non-traditional paths. With the right strategies, you can turn the gap into a strength.
1. Reframe the Gap as Part of Your Pivot
A career gap during the COVID-19 pandemic doesn’t have to be a drawback, it can act as the bridge to your next position. Use your resume and cover letter to explain employment gaps clearly and show how the time allowed you to reassess career goals or develop new skills.
Example:
2. Highlight Transferable Skills
When switching careers, transferable skills from your previous job are your strongest asset. Use the COVID gap on your resume to emphasize how you honed these skills through professional development, freelance work, or volunteering.
Examples:
3. Lean on Certifications and Learning
A COVID-related employment gap is the perfect time to build credibility in your new field. Employers value candidates who stay motivated and use their time productively to learn new skills. Highlight any certifications, coursework, or projects that align with your career goals.
Example:
4. Share the ‘Why’ Behind Your Career Change
Employers want to know why you’re making a career change, especially if it involves a COVID gap. Be honest about your motivation, tying it to values or skills relevant to the position. Highlight your passion and how it aligns with the company’s mission.
Example:
5. Showcase Initiative and Resilience
Managing a career switch during the COVID-19 pandemic requires grit, resilience, and initiative, traits that employers value deeply. Use your gap to demonstrate how you stayed focused and pursued growth, even through freelance work, volunteer projects, or building a new skill set.
Example:
Conclusion
Addressing a COVID gap on your resume doesn’t have to be a stumbling block. It is a chance to show your resilience, adaptability, and growth. Be honest, focus on what you gained during the time, and confidently steer the narrative toward your skills and enthusiasm for the role. Remember, employers value authenticity and initiative, so own your story and use it to stand out.