X

As of March 7, in-person services will be available at all JVS Toronto locations. Services will also continue to be available virtually. For more information about our services and safety procedures, click here.

JVS Toronto

DONATE
  • Home
  • About
    • Our Leadership
    • Our Funders & Donors
    • Annual Reports & Financials
    • FAQs
  • Find a Job
    • Employment Source
    • Workshop Calendar
    • Career Exploration
    • Disability Services
    • Jewish Community Services
    • Newcomer Services
    • Youth Services
    • Job Search Resources
  • Pre-Arrival
  • Employers
  • Assessments
    • Educational & Learning
    • ASD Assessments
    • Psychology Services
    • Vocational & Skills
  • Refugee Resources
  • Give Back
    • Donate
    • Send an E-Card
    • Volunteer
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Donate

February 1, 2016 Leave a Comment

Ask the Employment Specialist: Resume Gaps

Drawing of a typewriter with the words "Dear Employment Specialist"Dear Joanna,

Iโ€™ve been a stay-at-home mom and out of the workforce for about 15 years. Now I need a job for financial reasons. Do you have any suggestions as to how to overcome this gap in my work history?

Signed: Returning To Work (RTW)


Dear RTW

Letโ€™s start with your resume. According to JVS Employment Counsellors, if your gap covers two or more calendar years, you need to explain this absence from the workforce.

Here are some suggestions:

1. Consider volunteer work as relevant experience.

If you volunteered in the community and/or at your kidโ€™s school, this should be included in your resume and social media profiles. This experience is valid and you can add this in your resume under โ€œProfessional Experienceโ€ or โ€œExperienceโ€. Articulate the skills and qualifications that you learned and acquired in volunteering. For example, I am sure that you have been managing your home and multiple projects (programs) that involved your kids over the past few years. This could be translated into program or project management skills.

2. Volunteering.

It is always a great idea to continue volunteering in a position (if possible) or in an organization that is related to your ultimate job goal. This is a great way to keep your resume and experience fresh as well as build your professional network.

3. Gap coverage.

Create a section in your resume and LinkedIn profile entitled โ€œOther Experienceโ€ after your โ€œRelevant Professional Experienceโ€. In your case, you might include phrases with the dates such as โ€œFull-Time Parentโ€, โ€œHome Managementโ€, โ€œFamily Managementโ€, and โ€œFamily Financial Managementโ€.

4. Build your professional network.

Most jobs are found through contacts. Use social media and information interviews to meet successful leaders in your field. Identify the professional associations, conferences, trade magazines, organizations and events relevant to your career goal. Participate in these activities. You may even find your long lost colleagues. Try to reconnect with them on LinkedIn (or even Facebook might work for your situation).

5. Research the labour market.

You are in the same boat as a new graduate or newcomer to Canada, in the sense that you are starting a new career. Learn as much as you can about your field and profession as well as its leaders, the requirements, the shortages and the education required. You may need to requalify, recertify or learn new technical skills. Target companies where you would like to work, visit their websites, analyze the job openings and speak to as many professionals in your field as possible.

Joanna

By Donna Chabot Filed Under: Career Voice: Blog Tagged With: gaps, job gaps, resume, resume gaps, work history

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Jump-start Your Job Search

Jump-start Your Job Search - Sidebar

Upcoming Events

May 23
All day Recurring

Office Closed

May 24
10:00 am - 12:30 pm Recurring

Resumes & Cover Letters

May 25
10:00 am - 1:30 pm Recurring

Interview Skills

View Calendar

Sign up for our Career Advice Newsletter

Career Advice Newsletter - Sidebar

JVS Toronto Head Office

74 Tycos Drive
Toronto, ON
M6B 1V9

T: 416-787-1151
E: services@jvstoronto.org

More Information

  • Careers at JVS Toronto
  • Customer Service Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • JVS Insider Login

Follow Us

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • linkedin
  • youtube

Copyright © 2022 ยท JVS Toronto

IPLAN PRACTICE Eligibility Requirements
  • Open to Permanent Residents, Canadian Citizens, or Convention Refugees
  • High level of English-language proficiency (CLB 7/8). Enhanced language training is available to applicants, if needed, prior to starting the program
  • Degree in architecture from a university outside Canada
  • OAA Intern Architects eligible to write the Examination for Architects in Canada (ExAC)**

 

*Note:

  • The practice of architecture in Ontario is governed by the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA). All individuals who are internationally trained in the field of architecture, or who have held the status of architect in another jurisdiction must contact the OAA or visit the OAA website at www.oaa.on.ca for current information about licensing requirements and the licensing process in Ontario.
  • JVS Toronto is not a licensing body in Ontario.
  • The Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) is the sole organization recognized by the architectural profession in Canada to:
    • Assess the educational qualifications of architecture graduates;
    • Accredit professional degree Programs in architecture offered by Canadian Universities; and
    • Certify the professional qualifications of Broadly Experienced Foreign Architects.
  • Architectural services may only be offered through a Certificate of Practice issued by the OAA.

**The content of this program has not been reviewed or endorsed by the Committee for the Examination for Architects in Canada (CExAC). The ExAC is an experience based exam. It is the practical application of knowledge acquired through education and readings that will support examination success. Taking this program without applying the knowledge gained through practice may not result in examination success.

TRIEC Mentoring Partnership Eligibility Requirements

You should sign up for the program if you:

  • Have 2+ years of international experience in your professional field
  • Have lived in Canada for less than five years
  • Are unemployed or underemployed and looking to use your professional skills in Canada