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Change resume to years instead of months and years. Also, gaps happen so just explain and accept responsibility if/where applicable.
You can do the years vs months strategy but no one will care. I was in the exact same position. If this directly predated your application it would have been helpful to have a story for what you’ve been doing during your employment gap, but if this was awhile ago and you’ve had a job(s) since no one will notice or mind.
Once you get an offer you may have some anxiety again during the background check because you typically have to account for everything. Again, no one will care about a 5 month gap (unless of course the layoff was due to some egregious offence like theft).
Yes mine was the same, no one will care, truly. You don’t even need to mention it. I’d be prepared to talk about it when asked, but I highly doubt you will be.
Subject Expert
You can simply cover it with, there was a restructuring/slowdown at the firm. There were layoffs and I was caught up in it. Don't go into lots of details or over-think it as that will raise more questions.
If you give them the simple response I outlined and they keep hammering away at the gap and the layoff, etc., that is a red flag on culture at the new firm and you should run away.
That happened to me once and I couldn't get off that call soon enough!
Thank you. I am perfectly ok sharing it. Its just the timing of it on what makes sense.
If you're in US and you were laid off it's not a big deal. Be open about it and have a story. When you talk about your background, say you were laid off but don't spend time explaining the circumstances. Talk about what you did during those months (apart from job hunting of course) and how that helped you land your next job. Be creative but believable!
Oh no. I don’t want to hide it. Just don’t even want it to be a topic unless the company sets second round of call.
Mentor
I have two gaps on my resume and it hasn’t been a big deal - cheers to failing upwards!
Love the spirit. Cheers to failing upwards!
Mentor
Put years instead of months and be open about it if asked. It won't be a big deal.
No need to hide the information. Always put dates ranges for your work experience. It's not a red flag as long as you can explain it. Best thing to do is discuss projects, volunteering, other things you did doing to gap to show you were still being proactive and engaged.
Call it a sabbatical.
Bowl Leader
Some people I have screened / met have highlighted on their resumes joining or founding startups or doing pro-bono work during the gap.
Cool. Thanks.
Getting fired would be a red flag and something to discuss thoroughly.
Lay offs though, not so much. They happen to so many people and it’s usually a numbers game for the company more than it’s an issue with the people who get laid off.
I wouldn’t recommend trying to hide it somehow. That would be a red flag. Having gaps in your resume is ok as long as you can speak to why. If interviewing you, I’d be curious to hear how you talk about the gap. Have a good response to that ready, but don’t try to hide it.
Agreed with others. Simply use years. The question on why you changed job may come up. Layoff is more common than people think these days, especially last year. Keep it simple and move on with your conversation.
Coach
Change your resume to years. If you were laid off, say something like, I liked x about the company, but wanted an opportunity to do y. You’re not lying, but they’ll think you’ve answered why you left (when you really haven’t) and won’t ask why you left. I would try to avoid mentioning even a layoff. The reality is that outside of union workers, the people typically laid off are the lowest performers. No one’s going to layoff a rockstar. And nothing wrong with showing years on the resume and exact dates (as required) in an application form and a background check form. A background check is only validating the information you gave. As long as you didn’t give false info anywhere, you’re fine.
Coach
When I review and see a gap, if it is within last 5-7 years, I ask about it during the interview. If it was old, I don’t care.
You could say the 2nd company pushed the start date, and given some personal circumstances you were okay with it
Just use years, I think most people won’t care. I wouldn’t even notice.