Are you prepared to explain that gap in your resume? Owning your career trajectory means weaving a coherent, compelling narrative about yourself, connecting all the dots for the recruiter and hiring manager. Here are four common reasons you may have taken time off work—and how to explain them.
 
* Caring for family. If you stepped away from corporate life to raise children or care for a family member, explain how that experience helped you develop skills, knowledge, and experience that are relevant to the prospective job.

* Traveling. If you’re returning to the workforce after taking time off to explore, focus on how you used that time to gain new insights and perspectives— both about yourself and the world at large.

* Going back to school. Whether you went back to school full-time to pursue a degree or took courses to earn a certification, explain how specific projects you worked on are directly related to the job and how they—along with your past work experience—make you the right fit.

* Layoffs or job termination. If you were impacted by a mass layoff that wasn’t performance related, explain to the interviewer that the business strategy changed and your department or team were let go. If you were terminated, explain what you learned from the experience and how you’re actively working to ensure your next move is more closely aligned with your skills and expectations.
This tip is adapted from “How to Explain a Gap in Your Resume,” by Marlo Lyons
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