Tips for Writing a Resume

The very term resume can certainly be intimidating for anyone returning to the job market after a long period of absence. While a prolonged period of unemployment isn't necessarily the end of the world for a person's career, gaps in employment need to be satisfactorily explained. These gaps can be forgiven as long as the person is qualified for the job they are applying for and they have a valid reason for being unemployed for a long period of time.

The following tips for writing a resume can help those who have been unemployed for a long period of time.

1. The math has to add up with each of the years accounted for. If this is done with a positive attitude, those years can become years of enhanced opportunities. Do not try to hide any gaps in your employment history because employers pay close attention to the dates given for your previous jobs. Any unexplained long or regular gaps will appear suspicious and may prevent you from being considered for a job if there are more qualified candidates available.

2. If you have been unemployed for a period of time, you resume should be based on the positions you have held and the skills you have. Be brief but honest about your employment history and show how your skills and experience will make you the perfect candidate for the job.

3. Focus on your skills strengths, and accomplishments. Highlight what you have done during your period of unemployment. It is important that you show a prospective employer that you weren't just slacking off while you were unemployed. Be sure to include any volunteer work as well as part-time jobs. Also, be sure to include any education or qualifications you gained while you were not working a 9 to 5 job. By listing any professional activities you have undertaken, you can show the employer that you were not just sitting at home waiting for a job to fall into your lap but were actively trying to stay busy.

This will help to relieve any concerns employers might have that you could have a hard time getting back into the routine of a job after being out of the workforce for a long period of time. By showing that you remained closely connected to the business world you had to leave behind, you can alleviate these concerns.

4. Ask for reference letters from former employers and colleagues. Attaching reference letters to your resume is a good way to increase your chances of landing a job even though you have been unemployed for a long period of time. Reference letters should come from reputable sources such as former employers, colleagues, and other respected people from your industry.