15 ways to fill an employment gap

Employment gaps aren’t seen as negatively as they used to be, but many hiring managers will still look down on people who are out of work for an extended time. That’s not right or fair, but it is reality. Here are 15 ways to fill that gap on your resume so you dodge that problem.

Not all these tactics will work for all people. Your exact situation – skill sets, economic circumstances, disabilities, health conditions, or language barriers – can pose challenges. But they are a starting point that may give you another idea to help bridge the gap.

Education

Your spin: “I’ve always been interested in being a teacher, and decided the time was right to try it out. After x months, I realized it wasn’t for me, and so I’m getting back into x industry.” 

Substitute teacher. School districts around the country are desperate for subs.

Adjunct instructor. If you have a bachelor’s degree in a related field, community colleges are often hiring part-time adjuncts. English as a Second Language or Adult Basic Education/GED programs also need instructors.

Tutoring or independent teaching, either in-person locally or through online programs like vipkid.com or outschool.com.

Back to School

Your spin: “I’ve been wanting to earn my x degree / improve my skills for a while and the opportunity finally presented itself. I’m now looking to go back into the workforce now that I’m done / while I finish up x part-time.”

Earn a college degree or take courses. College is expensive, but one alternative is Western Governors University, a flat-fee, go-at-your-own-pace program. With prior experience you can accelerate to finish your degree in months.

Independent certifications. Take some online courses or certs from Udemy, Hubspot, Google, or elsewhere. (The latter two are free.) They can improve your skills or you can pitch it as exploring a new industry. 

Freelancing

Freelancing - basically independent, project-based contract work - is a time-honored way of earning a living on a flexible schedule. Your pitch: “I wanted to explore skill x and see if it was possible to make a go of it full-time. I enjoyed it and was able to do [accomplishment here], but the market wasn’t there right now, so I’m returning to full-time work.”

Writing. Do some writing for the local newspaper or website – a feature article here, a sports story there – and you’ve got something to drop into your resume plus some solid writing clips. Supplement that with writing for niche publications or audiences from your own experience, and you can actually build a freelance business that may bring in some money.

Graphic design. Good artists and designers are always in high demand. Prove that you can do more than just pop up a design on Canva, and you can write your own ticket working for nonprofits, corporations, government agencies, and more.

Independent research. If you have skills in general historical research, genealogy, or land and property research, you can find a niche audience that needs your help. I worked on a project for a client tracing the history of their home through deeds going back to the 1880s.

Service Provider 

Gig work is getting big. You can put some of these items on your resume under the umbrella of an independent services professional. Your pitch: “There was a big demand in my area for X, so I tried to turn it into an independent business that gave me flexibility to learn X, Y and Z skills on my own schedule. I’m looking forward at getting back into full-time work and putting those skills and time management abilities to use for you.”

Odd jobs. Dog-walker, snow-shoveler, leaf-raker, painter.

Virtual assistant. If your skills are more on the office administration side of things, you can develop a lucrative side venture as a VA.

Modern gig work. Uber, Lyft, Instacart, DoorDash, and more.

Family Ties  

Many of us have had to step out of the workforce for a while due to family obligations, especially due to child care issues or illness during the pandemic.

If you’re lucky enough to have a family member who owns a business, working in the family trade is a way to explore a new sector while keeping your resume in one piece.

Caregiving for a sick relative has unfortunately become a necessity in recent years. You can simply list this on a resume and it won’t cause any decent employer to blink.

Volunteering 

Volunteering during a resume gap can be about more than simply lending a hand at the animal shelter. If you have a skill, there’s a nonprofit near you that can use it. Your spin: “I had the ability to take some time and contribute to the community. I really enjoyed the experience, but I’m now looking to get back into the world of full-time work.”

Local volunteering. Even a few hours a week will look good on a resume. The Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts can use marketing help, the animal shelter could probably put an accountant to work, and lots of organizations can use general labor or grunt work. Idealist or your state volunteer agency can help you find an opportunity.

National service. AmeriCorps is the most well-known of the national service initiatives; the Peace Corps is another, with a longer commitment. If you are able to uproot yourself and move, these opportunities will give you long-lasting benefits – plus a great resume boost.