How to Explain an Employment Gap in Your Cover Letter

If you have a significant gap in your work history, it may make sense to mention it in your cover letter. A significant gap is six months or more. But before you move forward with coming clean, take note of the following:

You will be providing personal information that you wouldn’t otherwise. This can open up the possibility of discrimination. For example, if you took time off to raise a child and make mention of that fact in the cover letter, the employer is now privy to information he may use against you. On the other hand, if you don’t address the gap, the employer may assume that you have been unemployable for a long period of time. Each scenario has its own drawbacks. As a result, there isn’t a right or wrong approach. This is a personal choice you have to make.

Should you decide to explain your employment gap, keep the following in mind.

- Keep the message short. One to two sentences is sufficient. Over-explaining will make you sound apologetic. Life happens and sometimes pressing issues take precedence over one’s career. So focus the majority of your letter on your qualifications instead.

- Don’t mention how difficult the job search has been—how you have applied for position after position and have received no callbacks. Having potential employers know this type of information can put you at a disadvantage, as you may be viewed as damaged goods. No one wants second pickings. And that’s exactly how you will be seen if employers are aware that you have been turned down time after time.

Below are suggested phrases you can use as a guideline for preparing your own explanation.

As the executor of my mother’s estate, I took a sabbatical to carry out the directions spelled out in her will. Now that everything is in place, I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and rejoin the workforce.

- I’ve interviewed with several organizations and although I have secured job offers, I am deliberately seeking an organization that is the right fit.

- As a strategic career move, I returned to school full-time to obtain my MBA.
Employers will overlook an employment gap when the resume and cover letter are strongly written.

Every job seeker has challenges. For some it may be age; for others it may be lack of education. No candidate is perfect. Your job is to minimize the effect of your challenges rather than dwelling on them and using them as an excuse.