Managing The Gap
An inevitable step in reentering is putting together your resume, which is based on your work history. But there’s a gap, maybe more than one. Yikes. Now what? It’s going to be a problem. Someone’s going to spot it.
Exactly.
And sure enough, if you submit your resume along with applications to random jobs, it will be noticed, and it will be a problem. And you won’t move forward.
Here’s how to manage the gap using the Get Beyond It All approach.
But first, a few things need to be in place. You need a Plan, a Job Search Objective, and you must have your Delivering the Mail statement (in essence, your elevator pitch) ready on a moment’s notice. I write about these essential precursors frequently, links attached.
Here’s the setup.
You will go out and meet potential employers in person, onsite, whenever possible. They will not be random. You have an Objective (a point of entry) based on your plan, and you’re working it. Time for an aside: If you are not going out and introducing yourself to selected individuals or businesses (and instead blasting out resumes and apps online), you’re swimming upstream, at best. Digits are not your friend. Get this!
Okay, back to it. You're out and intend to meet people face-to-face. To be clear, this does not mean “dropping off resumes.” If you can’t meet someone directly, find out who (if you don’t know beforehand) and go back. Another aside: If your reaction is, “Well, that was a waste of time…” Your attitude needs a check. You picked the place and had the opportunity to see it up close, learning something you can use when you return. Period. You “win” every time because you come away knowing more than you did going in.
Let’s return. You do have an opportunity to meet…Bob. Good. One more aside: You’re ready to meet Bob, which is to say, you’re dressed right and smell good. Game suit and game face.
You introduce yourself to Bob. You tell him you're looking for work and are ready to go. Bob may say any number of things, most of which you’re prepared for. In this case, Bob says, “Well, we’re short a couple of positions in the warehouse…” You say, “Okay, great. I brought a copy of my resume.” You hand it to Bob and wait. Bob looks it over and pauses (at the gap). - PERFECT - You say, “You’ll notice a gap in my work history, let me explain that.”
And here is where you Deliver The Mail. Then wait for Bob to respond. Aside: Your DTM is a succinct and well-practiced statement about your background issue.
Bob will say one of three things:
1) Yes/maybe
2) No
3) It depends
“Yes/maybe” means you are making progress—you’re not anywhere yet, but there’s a possibility. “No” means Bob can’t hire you, but he might be able to help. You say, “I understand. Is there someone you’d recommend I reach out to that might be in a position to hire me?” Just asking the question means you’ve chalked up a “win” with a chance to move yourself forward. As for getting an “It depends” reply from Bob…You say, “Okay, I’m ready to take the next step. What should I do?”
If you take the initiative to prepare, show up, be presentable and polite, most “Bobs” will treat you right. They may not be able to assist you outright, but they may give you a handoff.
And the gap in your resume? It becomes a tool. Something you use and move into, not away from. You wanted Bob to see it, and you wanted it to happen right there, on the spot, in front of you. What you don’t want is for someone who is screening apps (Bob or otherwise) to reject you, digitally or on paper, without ever meeting you.
The subtitle to my book, Get Beyond Your Trouble Past, is: You’re Not Looking for a Job, You’re Looking for a Person. And you are.
You’re looking for Bob or Roberta. They are humans, and they can help, but only if you meet them in an orchestrated way.
Your Plan
Your Objective
Your DTM statement
Your effort
It is NEVER random. Do the work.
Onward.