Tag: strategies

5 Strategies to Combat an Employment Gap

Historically, having a significant gap in your professional employment has been viewed as a draw back or potential red flag on your professional resume.

However, given that a May Gallup poll showed that 19% of the American population is underemployed (either not working or working part-time instead of full-time), there are many, many job seekers out there wondering how to handle this resume issue. The good news is that there are ways to present gaps in employment that minimize their impact on your resume.

Fill the gap.

Hiring managers receive dozens of applications for every job they post these days. They know as well as anyone how tough the current job market is. Because of this, employers are far less likely to stigmatize a job seeker who shows a recent gap in their employment history—the key is to fill that gap with something that shows that you care about your career.


Take educational or professional enrichment courses.

One simple way to keep yourself sharp as a professional is to take a class while you’re looking for work. Depending on your financial situation and available time, there are many options for professional development. Many universities offer continuing education classes in subjects like writing grants or preparing taxes. There are also online training programs for licensed professions such as real estate sales. If finances are a concern, you can take affordable classes through your local parks and recreation department or library system.

Become a consultant for those in your network.

Working less than full time doesn’t mean you automatically forget all the expertise you’ve gained from working in your field. Using your network to obtain consulting gigs not only allows you to earn some income, but it gives you recent experience to discuss on your resume and in interviews.

Pick up freelance work.

I know a copy editor who has been unemployed for 15 months now. He’s been working as a freelancer over the Internet while he’s been searching for a full-time position. Given the current economic conditions, he knows that it’s a logical alternative to doing nothing at all. And should this year-long gap even come up at an interview, he knows that his freelancing experience will not only provide a reasonable explanation but also show the potential employer his initiative and ability to persevere under adverse conditions.

Dedicate your time as a volunteer.

Volunteering is particularly helpful to those who are hoping their next job will be in a field different from their last one. If you don’t have professional experience in something like marketing, volunteer to promote a fund-raiser for a local nonprofit—they’d love the help, and you instantly possess some marketing experience.

If you’re currently paying your bills by working a job for which you’re overqualified, it’s OK to mention it when applying for a new position. Employers appreciate the honesty. “I’m waiting tables right now while I look for full-time work,” is a statement that shows you’re flexible, humble, and willing to get your hands dirty when it’s needed! It also shows your commitment to doing what it takes which is a great asset as an employee and employers will take notice.

For a free resume analysis submit your resume via e-mail to info@greatresumesfast.com. View professionally-written resume samples at
http://www.greatresumesfast.com.


Author:

Jessica Holbrook is an expert resume writer, career and personal branding strategist, author, speaker and President/CEO of Great Resumes Fast. She creates high-impact, best-in-class, resumes and cover letters that win interviews. For a free resume analysis visit http://www.greatresumesfast.com/ or for a free phone consultation call 1.800.991.5187.

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Career Strategies – 10 Keys for Getting the Job You Want

1. START WITH YOURSELF. . .Not with the Jobs Out There

Take time to honestly look at yourself and your life. Are you moving forward in the career direction you want to go? Is your life working? Are you still challenged and growing professionally and personally? Are you doing something you love doing?

2. ASSESS YOUR "EQUITY" IN THE WORKPLACE

What are your assets and strengths? Take stock of your current credentials, your job skills and expertise, your relationships, your network, your reputation, your track record, and your overall life balance.

3. DEVELOP AN INDIVIDUALIZED CAREER/LIFE PLAN®

Are you clear about what you want in your life? What are some of your lifelong dreams? What are your life values? What do you want to create in the next 5-10 years? Take a holistic approach and look at all areas of your life-career, finances, body/health, spiritual growth, leisure/play, relationships, home environment, & personal & professional growth. Getting clear about what you want and what you value will help you make a smart career move.

4. KEEP TRACK OF YOUR SUCCESSES & YOUR CHALLENGES

Stay open to new challenges and look for new opportunities for you to increase your knowledge and skills. Take responsibility for keeping track of all your successes and achievements-performance appraisals, workshops, presentations, special honors and events, etc. Keep your VITA sheet and resume current.

5. PUT THINGS IN ORDER AND CLEAR YOUR PATH

Do a "clean sweep" in all areas of your life on both an emotional level and a physical level. Become "fully present" and live your life from the present, releasing the past with love and gratitude and honoring the lessons you have learned. Clean out all the clutter and release things you no longer love or need. Simplify, simplify, simplify– in every area of your life.

6. ASSOCIATE WITH PEOPLE YOU RESPECT AND ADMIRE

Find people who are successful in both their careers and their lives who can be models for you. Associate with them and learn from them. You have a choice in who you associate with-professionally and socially. Actively seek role models and mentors who you have a special connection with.

7. BE OPEN TO NEW OPTIONS & OPPORTUNITIES

Always stay open to new possibilities. Remember your Career/Life Plan™ will evolve and change as your life unfolds and you progress forward. Take advantage of new information, new resources, new experiences. Keep current in your professional field and stay open.

8. BE PROACTIVE . . . TAKE ACTION

Once you are clear about what you want to create in your career . . . life, start taking some action. And realize what is naturally flowing to you easily and effortlessly; pay attention to the synchronicity happening in your life. Explore all your options, spend time networking, meeting with people, exploring new resources, and fully utilizing all the support systems readily available to you.

9. CONSCIOUSLY EXPAND YOUR NETWORK

This is the time to reconnect with existing networks of people in your life and a time to reach out to new networks of people you would like to establish relationships with. Look at your areas of interests and areas of intentional growth, and look at ways you can expand your contacts-in your local areas, statewide, nationally and internationally.

10. BELIEVE AND TRUST YOUR INNER KNOWING

Listen to your Intuition and trust your gut level feelings. Have faith in yourself and trust yourself, even when you know deep within what you have to do, and think perhaps that you don't quite know what you are doing. You just know you are in transition and the time is right.
 

©2000 Gabrielle Parkinson, Career Life Institute

10 Key Strategies for Successful Career Transition These 10 Key Strategies are the basis of our popular and acclaimed eBook Program of the same name. The program includes articles, exercises, RealAudio clips and several unique bonuses, all for the incredibly inexpensive price of $14.95. To find out more about the eBook, or to Order Your Own Copy Today, click here.