Post by georgeharrison on Sept 3, 2015 15:53:41 GMT -5
My experience goes:
Industry job (year and a half) Non industry job before that 4 month gap Volunteer job before that 2 year, 3 month gap Industry jobs from there down
My non-industry jobs are in no way applicable to my industry jobs - at all. I had them on my resume before I started at this last job just so it didn't look like it had been 4 years since I had worked. But, now I have this industry work on my resume for the last year and a half. I'd like to take the non-industry work off. Would the gap be concerning to a hiring manager? Would I get to an interview stage where I could explain why I wasn't working (SAHM), or would my resume just be thrown away with such a gap?
I don't like gaps in a resume. I think - "What were they doing?" "What are they trying to hide?" "Did they have a bunch of little jobs and they job hopped?"
You don't only need to include industry jobs on your resume. Just about every job has skills that are transferable.
In your instance I would definitely include a cover letter explaining your gaps with no job.
As I'm currently reviewing resumes right now, I will pass on a resume with gaps and no explanation. There are others that put time and effort into having a complete resume or a cover letter with explanations that deserve my time.
2000-2007 - industry experience w/3 well know companies 2008-2010 - industry experience w/well known company 2010-last June - I stayed at home, did some volunteer work, and worked as a merchandiser for a year Last June to last week - industry experience
So the gap I'm referring to is the 2010 to last June gap where I was out of the industry (by choice, not that I couldn't find work).
I pretty much hate the style of resume lauralynne posted and agree with fiddles that I would list it all. I am normally very anti-cover letter, but this is a good opportunity to explain the gaps w/ a cover letter.
You can do a relevant experience section with the industry info, then a section at the bottom for "other". Agree that functional resumes are no good, to me it makes it seem like the person is trying to hide something and doesn't show a clear progression of skills/responsibilities.
I pretty much hate the style of resume lauralynne posted and agree with fiddles that I would list it all. I am normally very anti-cover letter, but this is a good opportunity to explain the gaps w/ a cover letter.
Keep the cover letter simple. A paragraph or two will work.