How do you explain resumé gaps?

[Mulletizer]

Specifically the 5 month gaps every winter for the last few years?

I'm trying to write a CV that doesn't make me look like a work-shy layabout yet is honest about these periods. I think the key is to dress them in a positive style - personal development, leadership skills, blah, blah.

Any advice/comments about this approach? What's a good way of making those gaps look good?

Many thanks,

Mullet

[TimG]

You're on a bit of a sticky wicket. I don't think there is much you can do other than be up front and stress what you've gained from the experiences. With that in mind, I think you're on the right tracks.

In that context I'd be looking to stress responsibility and self-reliance. I'm guessing you don't want (and clearly I don't know you at all) someone clocking winter sports and thinking you've spent all your time in Val d'Isere, if you see what I mean. The story you want the gaps to tell is "I really love skiing" and I worked hard and did x,y and z in order to pursue my interest.

Secondary issues - you've got a pattern in the cv. At a guess you're not going to be in the UK on December 1st 2006. Were you going for anything long term, that's a bigger issue than where you spent January 2004.

Hope this is some use.

[mrryde]

I would just be honest and put an Activites section at the end of your resume and state.

"One of my life long goals was to be able to work as much as I can over the summer months so that I had enough cash reserves to be able to spend the winters travelling and skiing. Through hard work and dillegent budgeting I was able to acheive this for the last five years. Having not only achieved my goal, but surpassed it, it is now time for me to settle down into my career and focus on my future goal, which is to see how long I can rot in a cubilcle without going insane."

Ok so the last sentence is a little edgy, but you get my point. FWIW, if i saw a resume that explained the gaps this way, it would immediatelly rise to the top.

[altagirl]

I'd try to present it as something I had planned extensively for, and WHY I've changed my plan to having a long term job/career.

[bad_roo]

I recommend lying like a complete motherfucker.

Studies have shown it always pays off in the long term.

[DBdude]

bad roo, has it, make stuff up.

[skiing-in-jackson]

Say skiing was a life style. This is how you lived. and pass it off like it was no big deal in the mountain towns you lived in. Cream always rises to the top, and you will too.

Stressing the things you learned from skiing multiple winters is like talking greek in a job interview to someone mired in the real world. Trust me, don't go there.

Just say "I'm moving on. I'm capable and I want to work for you."

Hopefully you have some decent references. Good employees are SOOO hard to find, I don't think you'll have a hard time getting a good job in an area where you have skills.

[steve]

I say tell the truth. It's always the best.

"I had a very frugal lifestyle, so I used to take my winters off to allow me to ski. As I've grown, my life's priorities have changed and working around the calendar is now what I need to do."

They'll respect that and appreciate your honesty.
Besides, it's not necessarily a bad thing to ski all winter long. A good (smart) manager will actually take that as a positive sign - this guy is really passionate about what he does - maybe he'll help prevent apathy in the organization.

the CTO at a company I worked at last year did something similar, by the way - took a winter off, spent 3 months in Kirkwood, then came back and resumed his job. As CTO. Not a bad gig.

[Obstruction]

Self employment dodge is the best approach in my estimation unless the person hiring looks like they could comprehend the ski bum ethic.

CEO for Fillintheblank Consulting a full service paradigm shifting mofo of a blaaaa blaaaa blaaaa ..................

[Mulletizer]

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll go with something along the lines of this (need to inject a bit more enthusiasm) as explanation in the emploment bit:

Since leaving University my summers have been spent working to facilitate development of ski-mountaineering skills and qualifications in the winter, which culminated in leading a successful expedition to the Indian Himalaya in Spring 2006.

Yeah, the TR is coming sometime soon.

And then this as one of the interests:

Skiing and mountaineering, previously as a ski-racer, now principally as a passionate ski mountaineer. Various safety qualifications (avalanche training to International Mountain Guide standard) and expedition leading experience.

Much as I would find it easier to lie my ass off, I think it would be likely to come back and bite me in the butt. Most of the stuff I'll be applying for (yes, permanent stuff...) is likely to have background checks run on me. No, I don't want to be a spy but most finance companies (tragically, might be a possiblity) are doing more and more checks to cover their insurance requirements re:fraudsters.

[PassTheDutchie]

I'd go with the old "rehab" excuse. Just make sure they know that you are clean and sober for the time being.

[OldLarry]

I say just be honest- your goal was to ski, and that's what you accomplished. Make sure to note and certications you got, fundraiser stuff you organised/participated int, etc. Anything somewhat respectable will look better that smoking out of a carrot in the walk in cooler-

[lemon boy]

Mullet-

Just an observation but the way those are worded it is obvious that your attempting to obfuscate something through verbosity instead of saying what's up.

Don't you have any spancerships? If so, I would play those to the hilt.

[Mulletizer]

Just an observation but the way those are worded it is obvious that your attempting to obfuscate something through verbosity instead of saying what's up.

Don't you have any spancerships? If so, I would play those to the hilt.

Verbose, moi? People generally write their CVs in the impersonal here which does make it sound a bit strange. I will be wording it a little better/more naturally though.

Nope, no spancers on principle.

[GoldMember]

Verbose, moi? People generally write their CVs in the impersonal here which does make it sound a bit strange. I will be wording it a little better/more naturally though.

Nope, no spancers on principle.

Uhhh...one thing I wouldn't do is give your site link to your potential hirers. I would also consider doing something about the mullet. You should become the 'demulletized'. On the job-gap side, I'd do what the others suggested and talk up the goals you had for skiing, your accomplishments, particularly the presumably successful Himilayan journey and then face the questions of what happens next winter. I assume you would answer along the lines of 'That was a young man's game........moving forward with my life....next chapter.....translate my past focus on successful mountaineering goals to success in business....yada, yada, yada....' Have fun!

[Mulletizer]

Hey, that's Telepath's site, not mine... Nope, I won't be giving anyone that address. I don't have an email at that domain and if you put my name into google it doesn't find that page. Unless I end up applying to any of you for a job I think I'm safe. And the mullet is history.

I think the workshy tendencies have mostly worn off; I am actually pretty damn keen to get my teeth into somethign again.

[Hayduke]

When do you have to have this thing completed? I get quite a few cv's accross my desk so I can give it a once over if you want.

We'll go over it next Friday if you're about.

[Mulletizer]

When do you have to have this thing completed? I get quite a few cv's accross my desk so I can give it a once over if you want.

We'll go over it next Friday if you're about.

Aye t'would magic. Seems I'll be getting the first round then...

[GoldMember]

I think the big thing is to state what your goals for skiing and mountaineering had been, the steps you took to meet your goals, how you dealt with any setbacks that may have occurred, and how you met your goals and the satisfaction of having done that. Now, you want to transition your focus to new goals that relate to the workplace. Employers (good ones anyway) love people who are goal-oriented decision makers who are capable of developing strategies to meet the goals and can handle some adversity along the way without giving up and still met their goals. Put in the proper perspective, it's a great story, not one to cover up.

[Alioops]

EP and I just had this discussion. I am trying to explain my 2 year "vacation" in AK. We decided it was best to just be honest and explain that I took time off to travel.

[Mulletizer]

I think the big thing is to state what your goals for skiing and mountaineering had been, the steps you took to meet your goals, how you dealt with any setbacks that may have occurred, and how you met your goals and the satisfaction of having done that. Now, you want to transition your focus to new goals that relate to the workplace. Employers (good ones anyway) love people who are goal-oriented decision makers who are capable of developing strategies to meet the goals and can handle some adversity along the way without giving up and still met their goals. Put in the proper perspective, it's a great story, not one to cover up.

I agree but is this something for the resumé or something for the interview? Or a bit of both?

[Alioops]

I agree but is this something for the resumé or something for the interview? Or a bit of both?

I think it should be a short statement in the cover letter and then sell it to them in the interview.

[GoldMember]

I think it should be a short statement in the cover letter and then sell it to them in the interview.

Agreed.

12

[TheDingleberry]

Lie, never let them know how much you enjoyed the life, or they should be smart enough to realize that you might move back to this lifestyle. It's all about making yourself look like you are there to make a career out of it. If they get the impression otherwise you won't advance within the organization.

[Tippster]

Make it religious, like spending time at an Ashram or something. They'll be too nervous to say anything negative.