Chances are you were out of work at one time - or maybe you are now - either by choice or by someone else's decision for a significant period of time, possibly months. Your work history includes a strong record of accomplishment and you're highlighting those accomplishments in your resume as you launch a job search.

But then you come across that time "gap" when you were out of work and wonder: How do I handle this so that a hiring manager will look beyond the gap, see my value, and put me on the short list for a job that I want?

Your Resume
If you were out of the workforce for some time - say, two to three years or more - it might be tempting to forgo the traditional chronological resume format, which lists work experiences in reverse order by date, in favor of a functional resume, which emphasizes skills rather than dates. However, some hiring managers see a strictly functional resume as a sign that you're trying to hide something.

A better option might be a combination of the chronological and functional formats in which you lead with an Objective (a brief statement explaining the type of job you're looking for, the relevant skill set you possess, and the kind of organization you want to work for) and follow it with a Summary of Qualifications or Professional Summary (a listing of your most relevant and impressive skills, accomplishments, and experience for the job). This structure gives hiring managers important information about the breadth and depth of your experience before they read the experience section (where the gap shows up).

For instance, you might structure your resume like this:

OBJECTIVE: To contribute 10 years of management and purchasing expertise to a mid-level manager's role in the procurement department of a growing manufacturing company.

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS:
Oversaw management and purchasing functions of two corporate procurement organizations, accruing 10 years' full-time experience
Spearheaded implementation of global sourcing strategy that produced $15 million in savings over three years and garnered two corporate-level awards
Acquired thorough understanding of domestic and international trade regulations
Mastered conversational Spanish and Mandarin Chinese, with specialized knowledge of industry terminology

After the Summary of Qualifications, list your work history in reverse chronological order, as you would on a conventional resume. Make sure this information adequately supports the points you make in the Summary.

Your Cover Letter
It may or may not be a good idea to address the absence from the workforce in your cover letter. If the gap was in the past, and your more recent work history has been steady, don't even mention it, but be prepared to explain it in the interview.

However, if you're in the middle of a gap right now, offer a brief explanation in your cover letter. Remember, the goal is not to give your life story, defend your honor, or reveal personal details. It is to minimize any misgivings a hiring manager might have about calling you in for an interview.

In addition, you can emphasize what you did while unemployed if it will help your chances of landing the job. For instance:

"I have kept my skills sharp by following industry trade journals, networking with former colleagues, taking on occasional side jobs for my former employer, and volunteering with two non-profit organizations in my community."

No Shame, No Blame
The bottom line is to show the employment gap in the context of all your positive accomplishments and qualifications. Don't assume the gap is anything unusual; it's not. Be brief, honest, and positive. What you write is less important than how you write it (without embarrassment, bitterness, or blame). Your employment gap is in the past, or soon will be. If your resume and cover letter shine light on what you're bringing to the new position, the gap will fade into the shadows.

If you follow these general guidelines, you can change that resume gap from a potential hindrance to a help. A potential employer's chief concern is that hiring you won't turn out to be a mistake. Help him along by showing that you were productive during your downtime, learned new skills, and are ready to go.

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