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The content defines who qualifies as nontraditional, explains how to professionally acknowledge gaps without oversharing personal or medical details, and recommends using reverse chronological formatting. It presents three strategies: adding a concise summary statement, reframing caregiving as relevant “occupation” experience with concrete contributions, or using a cover letter to discuss readiness and transferable skills. 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The statement should briefly explain the gap and emphasize interest in returning to work.",{"name":115,"@type":106,"acceptedAnswer":116},"What formatting approach is recommended for resumes with employment gaps?",{"text":117,"@type":109},"Use reverse chronological order rather than a functional style, since most employers prefer it. 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This percentage is based on a student falling into one or more of the following categories: being a part time student, are 25 years or older, working full time, being financially independent, one who didn’t immediately continue education after graduating from high school, one who has children or dependents other than their spouse, being a single parent and/or having a GED rather than a high school diploma. Nontraditional students commonly experience life events that lead to gaps in employment (e.g. , personal illness or injury, delaying or withdrawing from college because of financial hardship) , adding to the challenge of writing a resume. This tip sheet addresses how to explain such gaps and clarifies what is appropriate to share.  \nApplicable Career Communities:   \nExplaining the Gap  \nThe key is to be honest and upfront on your resume in a professional manner without getting too personal. For example, if the gap stems from a personal injury or is due to being a caretaker for a family member, avoid divulging specific details about the illness or injury on your resume. Instead, the statement should briefly acknowledge the gap and emphasize your interest in returning to work.  \nWhen formatting your resume use reverse chronological order versus a functional style. You may be inclined to use a functional or skills resume to hide gaps in your employment; however, most employers are not fond of that format. To help fill the gaps take into consideration any part-time employment, volunteer experience or courses you took during those time periods. Each are valuable experiences to include on your resume and offer a great opportunity to market the career readiness competencies (CRCs) you’ve developed. Refer to the Are You Career Ready? tip sheet for an overview of the CRCs. Described below are three strategies to address your employment gap(s) . Regardless of which strategy you choose, make sure you make the connection between your skills and the employer’s needs. It’s helpful to compare your resume to a description of the position you desire to evaluate how well you are making that connection.  \n1. By adding a brief statement to your Professional Summary, you quickly alert the employer to why there is a gap in your employment. Professional summaries are most helpful for experienced professionals who want to demonstrate how their experience and skills from a variety of past roles apply to a specific type of position. It isnot appropriate to list a Professional Summary on a traditional college student’s resume.  \nScarlet N. Gray  \n 1885 Neil Avenue, Apt. H • Columbus, Ohio 43201 • [buckeye.1@osu.edu](buckeye.1@osu.edu) • 614.777.0001   \nProfessional Summary  \n• Motivated and enthusiastic team player/leader with exceptional communication skills and the ability to build relationships.  \n• Skilled presenter able to understand and convey information to audiences of all sizes in a manner that is appealing and well understood.  \n• Developed and designed product-marketing plans and program strategies for prospective business owners, property management and customers  \n.  \n• Eager to return to the workforce after 6 years of being fully engaged as a stay-at-home parent  \n2. The second example displays how experience as a stay-at-home parent or caregiver can be listed as an“occupation” on your resume. Briefly mention the reason for the gap and include a couple of notable contributions that you accomplished during that time period. This option can also be used if you’re applying fora job where your skills and experience as a stay-at-home parent or caretaker are highly applicable, such as working with children or in human services.  \nStay at Home Parent July 2017 – present  \n• Eager to return to the workforce after taking a two-year leave of absence","cbCaietJYF9dgvSj","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaietJYF9dgvSj","pdf",281640,8,"English","# Explaining the Gap\n## Be honest, professional, and appropriately private\n## Resume format and filling gaps\n## Three strategies to address employment gaps\n### Add a brief Professional Summary statement\n### List stay-at-home parent/caregiver as an occupation\n### Use the cover letter when you prefer not to list the experience","[{\"question\":\"Who are nontraditional students according to NCES?\",\"answer\":\"Nontraditional students include those who are part-time, 25 or older, working full time, financially independent, did not continue education immediately after high school, have children or dependents, are single parents, or have a GED instead of a high school diploma.\"},{\"question\":\"How should a resume explain an employment gap?\",\"answer\":\"A resume should acknowledge the gap honestly and professionally while avoiding overly personal details. The statement should briefly explain the gap and emphasize interest in returning to work.\"},{\"question\":\"What formatting approach is recommended for resumes with employment gaps?\",\"answer\":\"Use reverse chronological order rather than a functional style, since most employers prefer it. Also consider including part-time work, volunteering, and courses during the gap to strengthen career readiness.\"}]","Resumes - Nontraditional Students - How to Address an Employment Gap | PDF",1789287443]