Your job hunt is taking longer than you expected and the gap on your resume is growing wider by the day. How can you ensure your extended absence from the workforce doesn’t sink your morale—or career prospects?
 
Invest in your development. Enroll in courses, earn certifications, intern in your target industry, and take on contract work. This may require some humility, but it’s necessary when competing against experienced candidates.
 
Revamp your resume. Examine job descriptions in your target field, identifying relevant experiences and skills. Then tailor your CV to highlight those strengths.
 
Network! Use LinkedIn to identify people in your broader network who work at organizations you might be interested in. Then reach out to connect with those people over coffee or informational interviews.
 
Reframe the gap. Be prepared to talk about what you’ve been up to since you were last employed. Highlight the developmental opportunities you’ve pursued. And when addressing your previous career, emphasize the skills you gained rather than specific jobs.
This tip is adapted from “How to Address a Resume Gap When Switching Careers,” by Rebecca Knight
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