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Resume gaps happen. Stuff happens in life. That’s all there is to it. You must deal with it in order to move forward. How you deal with it, however, can make all the difference in the world when you’re trying to land the job you want in this economy.

While you may have been taught to believe that resume gaps are always bad news with potential employers, it’s no reason to give up completely. One thing is certain. Not dealing with it will make it the elephant in the room.

Keep these things in mind as you work on your resume and go through the interview process.

Be Proactive

If you have a gap in your resume you know the question is coming. Plan ahead and come up with an answer to give potential employers. It isn’t going to go away. You know it’s there. They know it’s there. The question is going to be asked. If not in this interview then it will be in the next. It’s better for you to have an answer planned than to stutter and stammer your way through the answer as you “wing it”.

Tell the Truth

You don’t have to give all the details or tell a long and sordid story. However, if you tell a lie and are caught, that is grounds for dismissal down the road. It’s better to be as honest as possible without over-sharing the details or leaving something off your resume. Most employers understand that life, and even layoffs happen. Tackling the topic head-on shows potential employers that you have nothing to hide.

Don’t Embellish

While it may be tempting to embellish events to make you look as good as possible, resist that urge. Take a “Just the facts ma’am (or sir as the case may be)” approach to the interview and don’t volunteer details or information that doesn’t directly related to your bid for employment. There’s no need to try to make the other person or company involved look bad. It will only reflect poorly on you instead.

Present Your Time off in a Positive Light

Make note of things you did during that time that will make you a better employee. It can be classes you took, events that occurred, and/or life lessons you learned during that period of time.

It’s the little things that will make the most profound differences in your job search. Most potential employers want to like you. It is your job to give them a reason to do so without misrepresenting who you are and the path you took to get there. You want the job but honesty and integrity about resume gaps will get you the job much faster and help you keep it much longer than trying to spin a story that really isn’t yours.