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How to Address Long-Term Unemployment on a Resume

by | Apr 25, 2013 | Resume Writing | 0 comments

Woman handing over resume at meeting.

Spending a significant amount of time out of work can make a person feel as if they’re up against the clock, racing to find a job, and it can also cause considerable stress when crafting a resume. A job seeker may worry about how potential employers will view their extended unemployment, and fear that they’ll never get back into the workforce. Fortunately, hiring managers are starting to care less about the length of an individual’s unemployment, and more about how the person handled this period.

New research from CareerBuilder illustrates that 85 percent of hiring managers and human resource professionals are more understanding about employment gaps than they were before the recession. So how do the five million people who have been out of work for more than six months address this gap in employment on their resume?

  • Use the time productively: It’s easy to get discouraged about extended unemployment, but a person must make a point to use their time out of work in a productive way. Whether you’re taking a class or getting another certification, 61 percent of hiring managers explain that additional education is a great way to use the down time. Attending professional seminars and enrolling in community college courses helps to keep skills sharp and show that you’re interested in staying up-to-date on the industry and will present well on a resume.
  • Give back to the community: Sixty percent of hiring managers who were surveyed explain that volunteering helps to bolster a candidate’s appeal. Doing community service emphasizes a person’s strong character and work ethic. To help make volunteer work benefit you, choose opportunities that complement your previous experience and can then get woven into your resume. If you were working in marketing prior to the loss of your job, help out with PR efforts for a local charity. If you spent time working with kids, get involved at a children’s hospital.
  • Pick up temporary work: Temporary or contract assignments are no longer just for entry-level employees. These kinds of opportunities help a professional to keep their skills sharp and also allow them to build connections in the industry. Various opportunities are available across a range of job types. Seventy-nine percent of hiring managers explain that contract or temporary work is beneficial for jobseekers; it allows an individual to continue to develop skills and will also provide data and details for the white space that is looming on a resume.

Hiring managers also explain that those looking for work frequently make blunders that prevent them from getting a job. Two-thirds of workers fail to follow up with an employer after they’ve sent their materials in for consideration. A quick e-mail that comes a week or two after a submission can prompt the person doing the hiring to give the resume a second look.

Other job seekers also fail to thoroughly research the organization they’re hoping to work for, which prevents them from performing their best in an interview. The ability to speak fluently about the company both in an interview and on a cover letter helps to show a potential employer that you’re passionate about their business and can contribute in an educated way.

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