1. Rise Above The Resume Killer. Having a “Work Hiatus”? Been out of
work for a long period of time?
So you have been out of work for quite some time, and now you fear that the empty gap on your
resume is going to be a real sticking point, eyesore, hindrance, impediment, call it what you will, but
your blood pressure is rising as the time you have been looking for a job looms on the horizon and grows
daily. Sound ominous? Do not let it be that big dark cloud. Settle comfortably in it and make this time
work for you.
No I don’t mean live and let live and sleep in and chill out. And I don’t mean to do and redo and analyze
and then redo again your resume and cover letter. That would be depressing and deflating for anyone!
Seems like it to me, anyway, right? Some ideas on how to make this time work for you? Here is just a
sampling of GAP FILLERS:
1. Achieve a Life Long Goal. What employer would not want to hire the person that can explain
time off with something like:
“I took this opportunity to train and climb Mount Everest”.
“I was co-authoring a book on “……….”. “
“I was working with At Risk Youth in Armenia” ……
“I founded a non-profit organization that provides ………”
……..and so on and so forth.
(As long as it is true, of course.)
2. SERVE in your professional associations, local, state and national/international trade shows,
you know which ones they are. Run for office and do great things. List the
position/job/accomplishments on your resume.
Work for a local professional business or budding entrepreneur even if for
3.
free. It can be listed on your resume. And it keep you “out there” in the professional ranks,
and it keeps your brain humming along in fine form so you don’t have that paralysis that can
sometimes come when you have been out of the mix for too long. The more you work and put
on your plate while you are job hunting, the better. Shower, put on a suit, put in a full day.
4. Help others, help others, help others – help them land jobs, land connections. Number
one way to land a new role. Hands down. Do it because it is the right thing to do, and because
you would want someone to do the same for you. I promise you it will come back to you
tenfold. Don’t believe me? Try it. Okay so you can’t really list this one on your resume but it is
too important not to mention here.

2. 5. Exercise. OK so you probably can’t put this on your resume to fill a gap, either, but at
least you will fit in to that interview suit. But mainly do it because you’ll feel much, much
better after a good sweat. It is the way we are built. (What is that verbiage we need here?
Please check with your physician before undertaking any athletic activity?)
6. Have fun in the journey – you’ll meet some great people, learn much…. Don’t fight it, don’t
grit your teeth, just let yourself go easily into this journey and see where it takes you. If it feels
painful, that is a sign to stop. What. You. Are. Doing. Relax. I bet you’ll be delightfully
rewarded.