How to Address a COVID Gap On Resume and Stand Out

The job market can be tough, especially when your resume doesn’t follow a flawless, linear path. The COVID-19 pandemic caused career pauses, layoffs, and transitions that left gaps in work history.

Last update:

01/01/2024

How to Address a COVID Gap On Resume and Stand Out

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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.

Smiling woman sitting at table and working on her resume on her laptop

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:

“Professional Sabbatical”
“Career Pause for Caregiving”
“Independent Projects and Development”
“Remote Work and Skills Enhancement”

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:

“Dedicated time to caregiving responsibilities while completing online courses in digital marketing.”
“Focused on personal and professional growth through certifications in project management and volunteering with [organization].”
“Built a freelance portfolio, developing skills in content strategy and client management.”

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:

“Enhanced adaptability and problem-solving skills while managing caregiving responsibilities during the pandemic.”
“Developed expertise in remote work tools like Slack and Trello, completing freelance projects for small businesses.”
“Strengthened data analytics knowledge through advanced coursework, preparing for a career transition into business intelligence.”

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:

For leadership roles: “Managed caregiving responsibilities, honing organizational and decision-making skills that directly apply to team management.”
For technical roles: “Improved proficiency in Python and SQL through online courses, aligning with the technical requirements of this role.”
For customer-facing roles: “Strengthened communication and problem-solving skills by volunteering at a local community center during the pandemic.”

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.

Bad Example:

“I was out of work for two years because of the pandemic and struggled to find employment.”

Good Example:

“Focused on caregiving during the pandemic while enhancing skills through certifications and industry webinars, preparing to rejoin the workforce stronger than before.”

Example Templates for Including a COVID Gap on Your Resume

Career Pause for Caregiving

Managed caregiving responsibilities during the pandemic while staying updated on industry trends and enhancing digital marketing skills.
Completed certifications in Google Ads and data visualization, preparing to contribute new insights to marketing campaigns.

Independent Projects and Development

Pursued freelance work in graphic design, building a portfolio of client projects and gaining hands-on experience in brand development.
Enhanced technical skills through Coursera courses in UI/UX design, aligning with long-term career goals.

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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.

A young woman using her laptop to write a resume

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.”
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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.
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Example:

Career Pause (March 2020 – September 2020)

Focused on caregiving responsibilities for a family member while completing certifications in digital marketing.
Stayed updated on industry trends through virtual webinars and online learning platforms.

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:

Career Break (March 2020 – September 2021)

Transitioned into freelance content strategy projects, collaborating with three businesses to create effective branding campaigns.
Completed certifications in project management and data analysis through platforms like Coursera to expand my skills.
Volunteered with a local non-profit to support COVID-19 relief efforts, gaining valuable experience in logistics and coordination.

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:

“Experienced marketing professional with six years of expertise in brand management. After a career pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, I pursued certifications in digital marketing and analytics to build new skills and prepare for a transition into a more data-driven role.”

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.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, I took a career break to focus on caregiving for a family member. During this time, I completed certifications in project management, developed a new skill in data analysis, and stayed focused on my career goals by volunteering for local community initiatives. These experiences have strengthened my ability to manage priorities, adapt to challenges, and contribute meaningfully to a team.”

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:

“During the pandemic, I took a career break to reflect on my goals and completed online courses in UX design, which motivated my transition from marketing to product design.”

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:

Moving from project management to tech: “Led cross-functional teams and improved problem-solving skills, which I refined further during coding boot camps and freelance app development projects.”
Transitioning from teaching to HR: “Focused on people management and conflict resolution, which I expanded by earning a certificate in workplace diversity during my career gap.”

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:

“During my career transition, I completed certifications in data analytics and created a portfolio of projects using Python, Tableau, and Excel to analyze real-world business scenarios.”

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:

“My experience in finance during the pandemic revealed how technology could transform the industry. This inspired me to transition into fintech development, where I can combine my financial expertise with my interest in innovation.”

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:

“During the pandemic, I developed a freelance graphic design portfolio for local businesses, strengthening my creative skills and preparing for a transition from customer service to visual branding.”

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.

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Frequently Asked Question

How do employers view COVID-related employment gaps?

Most employers understand that the pandemic caused widespread job disruptions and won’t penalize you for a gap. What they care about is how you’ve used the time and how prepared you are to contribute to their team now.

Can I discuss personal challenges during a COVID gap?

While it’s fine to mention caregiving or personal reasons briefly, avoid oversharing. Keep your explanation professional, focusing on how the time prepared you for your next role or allowed you to grow in ways that align with the job.

Should I use a functional resume to hide my COVID gap?

A functional resume can work if you’re emphasizing skills over chronology, but employers are familiar with this tactic. Instead, consider a hybrid format that highlights your skills while still addressing the gap briefly to maintain transparency.