Dear Cindy – Résumé Gaps

I took an almost three-year hiatus from my profession to pursue personal interests (and I was living with my husband overseas and was not able to work). However, during this time I did a lot of volunteer work in primary care to fulfill my licensure obligations with the college of nurses. I am now able to resume my career and am looking for a senior management position within the healthcare sector. How do I account for the gap on my résumé? Is a functional resume better than a chronological one in this instance?

Sincerely,

Back in the Game

You'll definitely want to go with a functional résumé or combination résumé. Both of these types would highlight your strengths, skills, qualifications, and/or accomplishments.

But the gap is a fact. Never apologize for your gap, just tell it like it is. And in cases like yours, it's easy to put a positive spin on the gap by discussing what you've done outside of paid employment. So don't neglect to mention in your cover letter and résumé any volunteer and/or CE work that you did to keep yourself current. If you picked up an additional language while living abroad, it's another good thing to mention.

But remember that after a three-year absence, some employers may be reluctant to consider you for a senior administration position, but will look at you for a more junior administrative role.

Good luck!