Just like life, careers don't always follow a linear path. According to the 2025 Career Gaps Report from MyPerfectResume, 47% of American workers have experienced a gap in their careers at some point.¹

Do employment gaps really matter?

Resume gaps are a natural concern if you're an older adult looking for a job after spending some time out of the workforce. You may worry employers will look at you differently than other candidates or doubt your ability to perform. You wonder if your resume will be shuffled to the back of the pile.

Employers do—and should—care about large gaps in employment, with roughly 30% of employers reporting that they view these gaps in a negative light.¹ Since they invest major time and resources in screening, onboarding, and training new employees, companies must be selective about who they hire. A resume gap could signal you had trouble finding a new job after a job loss, or that you have difficulty making a commitment. They may wonder what you were doing while unemployed and whether you're trying to hide something. If you have gaps in your resume, hiring managers want to know the “why” behind that period of unemployment. More importantly, they want to be sure your absence from the workforce doesn’t imply behavioral patterns or attitudes that might make you a risky hire.  

What is considered a gap in employment?

According to Indeed.com, an employment gap is a break from work that lasts anywhere from a few months to several years. This hiatus may happen voluntarily or due to factors outside your control.

The good news is this: Gaps in your resume don't have to be a job-search dealbreaker. Many older adults have gaps in their work history for a variety of reasons—such as company downsizing, extended illness, serving as a caregiver, or going back to school. These reasons usually have nothing to do with a person’s ability to perform the job at hand.

Whether you’ve been out of work for six months or 10 years, the key is being prepared for employers’ questions.

How do I explain gaps in employment?

Below are some strategies for easing hiring managers' concerns and asserting yourself as the best person for the job.

• Be honest. It can be tempting to conceal gaps in your work history when you’re trying to present yourself in the best light possible to employers. But lying on your resume is never a good idea. Since they review so many of them, hiring managers are skilled at spotting inconsistencies and other red flags on resumes. Most verify work history and may even perform background checks. If you’re untruthful about employment dates, it’s likely you’ll be found out eventually—and you could even lose your job over it. Honesty is always the best option.
• Don’t include your entire work history. When you’re an older job seeker, there’s no need to share all of your work experience. Instead, list only those you’ve held over the last 10 to 15 years and stick to positions most relevant to the job you're applying for. This means you don’t have to worry about employment gaps that fall outside of this timeframe. Limiting your work history this way can also help prevent age discrimination.
• Downplay smaller gaps by leaving out the month. While being out of the workforce for years is not something you can cover up, you don't have to shine a spotlight on every gap. If you were unemployed for a year or less, you can soften the impact simply by leaving out the month when you list your employment dates. For example: "Sales Associate, 2021 to 2022." This allows you to be transparent about employment dates without emphasizing short breaks. Another thing to keep in mind is the formatting of your resume. Using bold font or a smaller font can draw attention to employment dates—so you’ll want to avoid those practices.
• Explain employment gaps in your cover letter. In general, there's no dedicated place on your resume to detail the reasons you were out of work for an extended period. This is where your cover letter comes in handy. Address resume gaps proactively by calling them out in your cover letter. Summarize the reasons for your hiatus—one or two straightforward sentences will do. Don’t get too wordy, since you want to keep the focus on your relevant experience and attributes and why you’re the right choice for the job. If additional details are needed about any work history gaps, the hiring manager will ask during the interview. What you do want to emphasize in your cover letter is your drive, determination, and willingness to learn new things. It’s also important to convey you’ve kept up to date on industry trends and skills. If you have gaps in your employment, your resume must work extra hard to illustrate the value you bring to a potential employer.
• Highlight what you did accomplish while out of work. You may have been out of the workforce for a bit—but that doesn't mean you sat around twiddling your thumbs. If you took on any unpaid roles or noteworthy projects during that period, be sure to say so on your resume. This shows you stayed active and engaged even though you weren’t formally in the workplace. Volunteer or caregiver roles should be listed on your resume just like a paying job. Any degrees completed or courses taken can be noted in the Education section of your resume. For example:
  • You volunteered for your community food bank.
  • You went back to finish your degree.
  • You brushed up on your digital skills by taking a course.
  • You were the sole caregiver to an ailing family member.
  • You pursued a side project important to you.
  • You traveled extensively and explored new cultures.
• Consider any transferable skills or perspectives you gained and how they make you a stronger candidate for the job. For instance, maybe you came up with a successful fundraising idea for a charity you volunteer for. Or you managed the event committee at your church and gained valuable leadership skills. Don’t hesitate to think outside of the box!

According to Sam DeMase, a career expert at ZipRecruiter, what you bring to the table matters far more than a break on your resume. "Hiring managers are much more interested in a candidate's aligned strengths, achievements, and business results," she told Quartz.

Career resources for older adults

Are you looking for a new job—or returning to work after a break? Check out these resources to get a leg up in your job search:

• IBM SkillsBuild: Quickly build valuable professional skills with free, online courses in artificial intelligence (AI) basics, emerging technologies, the importance of digital literacy, developing a digital mindset, and career management essentials. 

Signing up is easy—just click on one of the course links above, create a free account using your email or Google profile, click ‘Enroll’ and start building your skills! Once you complete a course, you’ll earn a digital credential you can put on your resume that helps you stand out to employers. 

• Job Skills CheckUp: NCOA’s online employment tool is designed to support older adults looking for new opportunities or returning to the workforce. Answer a few questions about your goals and experience and get a customized action plan to help you search smarter, network with confidence, and prepare for interviews.
   
• Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP):  This program provides qualified adults age 55+ with on-the-job training and job placement—people like Angelia. After 10 years of not working, Angelia needed a job—but her search turned up empty. A friend told her about SCSEP, which provided paid training to freshen up her administrative skills. Angelia’s hard work paid off, and she was offered a permanent role as an office manager. She credits SCSEP as the reason she was able to put her best foot forward and land a job she loves. 

With SCSEP, you can earn money in a community-based service position while building valuable skills and self-confidence. You must be at least age 55 and have low income to take part in SCSEP. 

A note about SCSEP: Like many programs funded by the federal government, SCSEP is going through some changes because funding has been delayed or adjusted. This has caused temporary pauses in some areas, but the program has not ended. Many local SCSEP offices are still serving participants as funding allows.

Your local SCSEP provider can give you the most up-to-date information about services in your area and what to expect during this transition. 

Sources

1. MyPerfectResume. Nearly Half of Workers Report Career Gaps — But Stigma Still Lingers. May 30, 2025. Found on the internet at https://www.myperfectresume.com/career-center/careers/basics/career-gaps