During this episode we're going to talk about how to speak about gaps in your LinkedIn profile. Learn the importance of getting out in front of gaps in your resume and how to approach voluntary and involuntary gaps differently.
Episode Highlights:
- Lead with an explanation of your gap.
- There are two types of gaps: involuntary gaps and voluntary gaps.
- Research shows that even if you do have gaps in your work history, employers are still very willing to consider working with you.
- Explain what the gap was in a simple 1-2 sentence explanation.
- Let your employers know that the gap has been resolved.
- Employers are human and understand there are reasons why people step out of the workforce.
- Give them the information they need to understand what's happening in that blank space in your resume.
- When you fill the gap with a positive explanation of what you were doing with your time, it can help to offset or mitigate negative perceptions.
- When you have an involuntary gap, it's not recommended to talk about your reorganization or your lay off directly in your LinkedIn profile.
- However, coming up with an explanation you can share in an interview is a good idea.
- Involuntary separations are trickier than voluntary separations.
- Account for your time during your gaps.
- For example, you can include volunteer work you've done during your gaps. You can show that you're keeping your skills up to date.
- You can take online classes to add skills to your profile.
- Show how you've positioned yourself to return to work.
- When you have a career gap, sometimes employers are concerned that your skills might not be up to date.
- Training helps you to tell a different story on your LinkedIn page.
- LinkedIn allows you to add a section to your profile that lists courses and certificates. You can also add your educational experiences in your Experience section.
- Move away from short gaps.
- After a few months, you can offer consulting and advisory services.
- To be a consultant you just need one client or one contract.
- LinkedIn allows you to list positions by year instead of by month to make short gaps less obvious.
- Manage negative perceptions that might come up on your LinkedIn page unintentionally.
- Pay attention to the message that your LinkedIn profile sends.
- Signal that your skills and experience are current.
- Communicate why your gap exists in 1-2 sentences and then move on to communicating your value.
- Focus on your value because that's what will get you hired.
3 Key Points:
- When you have a gap in your resume it needs to be addressed.
- Account for your time during your gaps.
- Move away from short gaps by offering consulting or advisory services.
Tweetable Quotes:
- "If you have a gap in your LinkedIn profile or on your resume, it's going to be obvious and it really behooves you to get out in front of it." – Sheila Boysen-Rotelli
- "Know that if you have gaps, you are not alone." – Sheila Boysen-Rotelli
- "Employers really want to see an accounting of what you've been doing even if it's education, volunteer work, or other things that you've done." – Sheila Boysen-Rotelli
- "Whatever your area of expertise is, there's an opportunity for you to offer value through advising or consulting." – Sheila Boysen-Rotelli
- "Manage negative perceptions that might come up on your LinkedIn page unintentionally." – Sheila Boysen-Rotelli
Resources Mentioned:
- Fast Track Your Job Search Online Program
- Claim your free six-step job search success workbook here
