Yes, I've Had Gaps In My Employment History--What Can I Do About It?

1. Honestly, there is not a single person who has not had SOME gaps in their work history. Anyone who says differently is someone who might not always tell the truth.

2. So, you, job seeker have had some employment gaps in your career/work life. What to do? What to do?

3. Sit down and write out what you did during your time of unemployment. Most people who are out of work do NOT spend all of their not working time in front of a TV! What you did is a measure of what your values and interests are. If you loafed, where did you do your loafing? Reading, baking, driving, hanging out? WHAT DID YOU DO AND WHY DID YOU DO IT?

4. Condense these periods of unemployment to look for a pattern. If you were "laid off" a few times, what jobs were you doing and why were you "laid off"? Look for skills that you used with employment gaps. There is always a pattern of some sort when Mr. or Ms Job Seeker is not looking.

5. By making sense of these gaps to and for potential new employers, you can capitalize

on them to present yourself in a new light. Example: If you started a home based business while you were unemployed, but it failed, you can still be known as someone willing to take risks; someone who can see failure as something to not be ashamed of. How many employers could sympathize with you? Many, I would guess. Failing and learning from it, is a SKILL.

6. Put those unemployment gaps together Mr. or Ms Job Seeker as if you had found gold on a scrap heap. The gaps still represent you, put them in your resume and use them in an interview.

7. You might want to do these differently on your next "not working gig". Put yourself to work on your self, the next time around!

Marilyn J. Tellez, M.A. Certified Job & Career Transition Coach Phone: (509) 469-3514 Email: doitnow@nwinfo.net Web: http://www.doitnowcareers.info