Gap years are taken for a variety of legitimate reasons. A year was spent living in an Israeli kibbutz, going to Guatemala to do some good deeds, working as an English teacher in Hanoi for a few months, and skiing all around the world. Or, maybe you took time off to take care of an ill parent. This year is an eye-opening and life-changing one for many people.
According to a reputable resume writing service, DoMyResume.NET, "Your gap year can help you land a job if you can demonstrate the valuable skills you gained or correlate your experience to the position you are seeking". It can be an asset to your Resume if you explain why and how it has improved your employability.
Your resume may be a bit of a challenge to put together when your gap year ends, and you begin looking for employment again. For example, it may not belong under the "experience" or "education" categories.
But despite your absence from the workforce, you most certainly accumulated a great deal of experience and expertise.
Why should you mention a Gap year on your Resume
Taking a gap year will not detract from your professional credentials but rather strengthen them. Employers value compassion, dedication, and risk-taking characteristics, and incorporating a gap year can reflect these traits.
One-year breaks might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to broaden your horizons, both personally and professionally. It can demonstrate that you are self-assured, driven, and capable of working on your own, all of which are valuable traits to have on a resume.
If you're not sure what you should and shouldn't include in your resume, hire a well-known professional resume service. Ultimately, it doesn't matter what you've done or where you've traveled. As long as you have relevant experience with the job or position you're applying for, you can make a tremendous impact.
How to Include Gap Year on Your Resume and Make It Stand Out
It takes a great effort to prepare a great resume, and it's not something that can be done in a few hours. The following tips will assist you make the most of the opportunity to highlight your year off on your Resume.
Honesty is the Best Policy
When it comes to making your Resume, honesty is always the best strategy. Bluffing, fabricating, or attempting to mislead the interviewer might backfire on you. Any reputable employer will thoroughly review your past job records to verify your entire work history.
It doesn't matter how much you try to hide your blunders, recruiters will find out about them. You'll may lose any chance you had of getting hired. There's just one thing that can save you in this situation: your sincerity.
Emphasize the Positives
There are several advantages to taking a year off. In reality, demonstrating the bravery to pause and focus on yourself or assist someone else shows remarkable moral fortitude and determination.
Take advantage of your positive experiences and explain how they have benefited you in your professional development. Even if you had been unwell or looking after kids, you can explain that this year has helped you develop other valuable traits, so don't be hesitant to discuss them.
Highlight your Accomplishments
Your objective must be to convey what you accomplished during your time off from work. You can talk about any courses, certifications, or training you completed during your gap year. Similarly, if you volunteered overseas, you may highlight the most important takeaways from your time there.
Your gap year experience may have provided you with additional skills to bring to your job. These skills must be incorporated into your gap year summary and your Resume's skills part. When an interviewer sees this, they will get a firm idea of your modernity and intellectual ability.
Include Your Gap Year in Experiences
Working, teaching, or volunteering is a rewarding experience. Why not show it off? You can mention this job in your Resume's "experience" section in the same way that you would any other job. Taking a break may also indicate that you're a self-starter, a visionary, or possess other desirable characteristics.
Make your points specific to the job requirements and the responsibilities that are expected of you. Use as many assertive, action-oriented adjectives as you can, and be sure to quantify your achievements and responsibilities.
Make it Relevant
You must tailor your Resume to reflect your qualifications and match the requirements of the company for which you are applying. Before submitting your application be sure to review the job description. Make a note of the keywords and expressions that are mentioned in the description.
For instance, if your year off was spent participating in a volunteer program, be sure to emphasize the skills you acquired while helping overseas and make a connection between your experience and the position you are looking for. The goal is to find out what companies are hunting for and apply that information to craft a gap year resume.
Demonstrate your Commitment
Instability is sometimes a red flag for employers. You must demonstrate that you are eager to return to work and that you will be an asset to whatever company you join. It's especially important if your year off was recent to indicate that you're keen on securing a full-time job at your target organization.
Make your Resume unique by emphasizing your willingness to take risks. Not everyone takes a year off to explore something completely new. Integrate this into your swanky new Resume to prove to potential employers that you are the best choice. Don't be afraid to use action verbs and words like 'driven' or 'launched.'
Conclusion
With the proper incorporation of your gap year experience into your Resume, you will be able to improve your employability and even increase the number of opportunities available to you. A little effort, some good layout, and the appropriate keywords can ensure that your Resume after a gap year is a winner, that's why it is suggested to consult with a quality professional resume writing service.
Keep in mind that taking time off from employment to pursue a long-term goal is not a crime. Simply show that you are serious about finding and retaining a new job, and you are all set!