Every craftsperson needs a portfolio - a way to showcase their best work and demonstrate their evolution in the craft. For modern professionals, the resume serves this essential function. But here's the thing: resumes aren't just documents we dust off during job searches. When approached with intention, they become living records of our professional craft that inspire us to push beyond the basic requirements of our roles. In this series, we're exploring four critical aspects of resume crafting:
Whether you're actively job searching or simply wanting to document your professional journey more effectively, these posts, and our very own ebook: Resume Paint, will help you transform your resume from a simple work history into a compelling showcase of your craft.
The Beauty of Authentic Work History
In traditional Japanese ceramics, there's a practice called kintsugi – the art of repairing broken pottery with gold. Instead of hiding the breaks, kintsugi celebrates them, turning apparent flaws into the most striking features of the piece. Your career gaps deserve the same treatment.
The Myth of the Linear Path
We've all seen those idealized career trajectories: school, entry-level position, steady promotions, neat and tidy. But here's the truth: Life happens. Opportunities arise. Mistakes are made. Priorities shift.
That’s what makes us human.
The Real Cost of Hiding
When we try to obscure career gaps, we're like a woodworker trying to hide a knot in the grain instead of featuring it. Not only does this approach usually fail (hiring managers can spot hidden gaps like a master craftsperson spots filled cracks), but it misses an opportunity to demonstrate something valuable about who we are.
The Craftsperson's Approach to Career Gaps
1. Name It Clearly
Just as a craftsperson might point out a unique grain pattern or joint technique, name your gap period directly:
"Sabbatical for International Travel: June 2022 - December 2022"
"Family Care Period: March 2021 - August 2021"
"Professional Development Focus: January 2023 - May 2023"
2. Frame the Learning
Every gap has taught you something. Like a craftsperson who experiments with new techniques, highlight what you gained:
Travel might have taught you adaptability and cross-cultural communication
Caregiving often builds crisis management and coordination skills
Personal projects can develop self-direction and project management abilities
3. Show the Integration
Demonstrate how this period enhanced your professional craft:
"Applied project management skills developed during my sabbatical to improve travel efficiency by 25%"
"Leveraged crisis management experience from caregiving to excel in high-pressure client situations"
Types of Gaps and How to Treat Them
I would argue that a hiring manager doesn’t necessarily care what you did during that time, but they want to know you were doing something. List what you did complete, list if anything remains to be done, and most importantly: show how that time contributed to your professional journey.
Education Gaps
There’s lots of reasons why people don’t complete degrees. Maybe you took a year abroad to backpack, maybe you’re pausing so you don’t go further into debt, maybe you spent time overseas teaching English, maybe you lived with a parent for a bit while you looked for jobs within your field of study. list what remains to complete your degree, and any relevant coursework for the role you’re applying to. Or, if you never pursued a degree in the first place, be sure to indicate what you did in lieu of higher education (enter workforce, teach abroad, apprenticeship, etc.).
Left university to pursue hands-on experience in digital marketing. Completed key certifications while working, demonstrating self-directed learning capacity.
Health-Related Gaps
If you choose to disclose this information, there is no need to be specific about your diagnosis. Even something vague as “Medically prohibited from professional work” can suffice. The same advice applies to any pause in your professional career to care for a loved one.
Focused on health and recovery while maintaining professional development through online courses and industry reading.
Voluntary Career Transition Gaps
Any recruiter worth their salt will tell you to get another signed job offer before you leave your current role. But, life happens, right? Maybe the emotional distress was making you sick, or maybe you had a nest egg that allowed you a time of introspection. Whatever the instance, showcase how you used that time.
Strategic pause to realign career trajectory with core values and develop new technical skills through intensive boot camp training.
The Power of Authenticity
Remember: gaps in your career can be reformed like kintsugi. Even when you’re crafting a resume to the grumpy hiring manager, the gaps are not flaws to be hidden but rather evidence of how you've built your professional path. Don’t let a resume reviewer fill in the story for you. Include details (where appropriate) and honestly show your resilience, adaptability, and human experience.
The Next Steps
What is the weakest point in your chain of professional development? What’s the story of that weak point, and what did you learn from it or about yourself?
What other parts of your life story have contributed and made you into the professional you are today? Do they deserve space on the resume as well?
Ready to dig deeper into crafting a career that stands up to scrutiny? Want to learn more tools for showcasing your professional craftsmanship? Our comprehensive ebook "Resume Paint" provides in-depth guidance on building a career that withstands the test of time. It's packed with practical exercises, real-world examples, and proven techniques for demonstrating your value to even the most discerning hiring managers.