If you have been unable to work for a certain period of time due to illness, there will naturally be a gap in your resume, be it a gap of several months or even years. Unless you’ve just been out of work for a few weeks due to the flu, of course, you don’t need to mention this on your resume. However, it is different when it comes to long-term illness or disability. How you explain depends on the degree of your illness or disability and how it affects your performance.

No need to provide details about your illness

Various anti-discrimination laws around the world prohibit employers from discriminating against candidates or employees who are unemployed due to illness.

In general, an employer cannot ask you about your health or disability unless and until you are offered a job. The only exception is if your physical fitness is work-related, such as construction work, sports instructor, emergency worker, etc.

Report illnesses or accidents that may affect your ability to work

However, you must report a medical complaint (disability, disability, or chronic illness) that may affect your job or work environment. This is so that employers can make “reasonable adjustments”. A “smart adjustment” is what employers can change so that your illness or disability does not put you at a disadvantage at work.

Common examples of “smart accommodations” include flexible working hours, sign language interpreter services, more time to complete assessments, stepless access, and “assistive devices” (an adapted keyboard or specialized computer software).

Explaining spaces in your resume

While you don’t need to mention on your resume that you are sick, many employers will naturally be interested in any gaps that arise.

Instead of faking the truth and saying that you were traveling, studying, or on sabbatical, simply state that you took the vacation for personal reasons, but now the problem is solved and you are ready to go.

Most employers understand that life happens and that sometimes you need to take a break to tackle other priorities.

However, you should never lie or mislead employers. If the employer later finds out the truth, they can withdraw the job offer or even fire you after you are hired.

Consider a skills-based resume or a functional resume

If you are concerned about gaps in your resume, consider creating a professional or functional resume.

In a skill-based resume, the gaps are less noticeable because your experience and education are not listed in the order of date like in a chronological resume.

Instead, a skill-based resume is compiled with short examples for each skill. While you are still listing your employment history, there is no need to provide exact date ranges, which distract attention from any whitespace.

By posting your resume in this way, you are showing employers that you are more than just your job history.

Customize every resume

Generally, finalizing your resume is good advice; however, this becomes more important if there is a gap in your resume.

Adjusting your resume means that you draw attention to relevant skills, experiences, accomplishments, and personality traits (soft skills), while downplaying any “negative” aspects such as illness, unemployment, etc.

This entails searching for keywords in the job description, as well as researching the company’s website, blog, social media, and Glassdoor reviews to understand what they are looking for and include their requirements on their resume.

List hobbies and interests

If you have been able to pursue your hobby during illness or after recovery, include it on your resume. Hobbies and interests give employers an insight into your personality and also demonstrate that you have the appropriate skills to make up for gaps in work experience.

Examples of hobbies include reading, writing, solving puzzles, organizing events, raising funds, volunteering.

Track your social media accounts

Most employers will look for you on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) during the hiring process to get an idea of ​​who you are and what your personality is.

Therefore, it’s important that the story you tell on your resume matches the story you tell your friends and family on social media. As mentioned above, you do not need to go into the details of your medical condition on your resume, but you also should not say something that distorts the truth, for example, you are traveling in Australia instead of being treated for an illness.