What to do about the "Gap"

A poster to the Works for Me group asked how to explain the gap in her career on her resume.  The change was prompted by her need for a different balance after she had kids, but, in her case, there wasn't really a gap.  She had quit her full time marketing job to become a self-employed consultant.  For those moms who off-ramp completely, or who take a side rail like this poster, explaining the gap to potential employers often looms as a big concern.

I had a time in my career at Cardonet (back in the bust) when my employer had reduced my hours to part-time.  I didn't disclose that on my resume because I used the limited space on my resume to focus on accomplishments and skills, both of which continued to grow during my part-time employment.  (If asked, or it was relevant, I would have explained the situation in an interview.)

After they laid me off completely, I wasn't working for money, but I was still doing things that added to my accomplishements and skills.  I listed my volunteer work on the board of the Golden Gate Mothers Group, as a newsletter editor, my equity-based work as an editor for GoCityKids.com, and that I started Works for Me.  These things all related to being a mother, so it was obvious what was happening in my life.  But, it also showed potential employers that I'm a dive-in kind of person who wants to add value for others, and wouldn't they like to hire someone who will do that for them.

My suggestion for all moms, but especially those who expect to eventually return to employment for pay, is don't have a gap on your resume.  This also applies to folks who get laid off.  It is not hard to avoid a gap: do volunteer work, do work for equity, or take a class at a local college.  All of these things can be done in just a few hours a week, in the evening, and have tremendous non-monetary benefits: networking/new friends, new skills, and, in many cases a self-esteem boost.