How to Address Gaps in Employment as You Prepare to Go Back to Work Post Pandemic

If you’re thinking of returning to the world of work after some time off during the pandemic, then you might be wondering how to make your resume look attractive. In this blog post, we’ll be looking at how to manage gaps in your work history and how to show employers that you’re the right person for the job.

Address gaps in your employment history

One of the biggest issues you’ll face when re-joining the workforce is dealing with a gap in your work history. In Australia, we are experiencing a skill shortage, so while pandemic-related resume gaps won’t be a bad thing, they’ll likely want to know what you did while you weren’t working. Attach a cover letter to your resume explaining how you’ve been proactive in looking for employment, how you’ve been developing your professional network, and talk about what initiatives you’ve taken to improve your work skills in preparation for your return to the workforce. Honesty is the best policy when it comes to explaining gaps on your resume, so make sure to be transparent with your potential employer.

Highlight skills that you developed during the pandemic

As we mentioned earlier, employers are eager to know how you’ve been developing your skills during the pandemic. Mentioning conferences, online training, and certifications is a great place to start. As well as bringing attention to any hard skills that you’ve acquired, don’t forget to talk about your soft skills. Interpersonal skills like resilience, problem-solving, and work ethic are highly valued by employers in a post-pandemic world. Include a soft skills section on your resume to better highlight why you’d be a great fit for the job.

Tailor your resume to each job application

Avoid sending the same resume for each job you apply for. To increase your chances of being invited for an interview, you should create a unique resume for each job application. Do this by scanning the job post for keywords that you can use in your resume. The same goes for your cover letter. A hiring manager should read your cover letter and see that you put some thought into it by mentioning why you’d like to work at their company specifically.

Now that you know how to make your resume stand out in a post-pandemic job market, explore our job postings and start applying for remote jobs and for openings in your area.