Learn Earn Lead

Sustainable employment is critical to independence and self-suffiency for individuals, families and the community. The YWCA Employment and Learning Centre supports individuals in this process.

We are committed to helping our clients gain increased independence and ability in pursuit of their goals. Whether the need is a single appointment to prepare a resume or longer-term counseling to gain life and work skill, we are committed to supporting individuals on their life's journey.

We offer unique services in an effort to strengthen our community one person at a time.


Monday, October 28, 2013

Mind The Gap


"Mind the Gap" is a warning to train passengers to take caution while crossing the gap between the train door and the station platform. It was introduced in 1969 on the London Underground. 

One red flag that really stands out to employers on a resume is a significant gap - or several gaps - between positions.   You can almost hear people thinking as they scan through, “What happened here in 2009?”
Though you could bemoan the fact that the world is cruel for not focusing on all the amazing things you have done in your life instead of focusing on the gap(s), you are better off taking a more positive approach and deftly handling those red flags before you send out your resume: 
  • Take classes, 
  • Do volunteer work, or
  • Take a stopgap job.
Fudge but don't falsify. There are subtle ways job hunters can de-emphasize the amount of time between jobs.  Denoting each period of employment in years instead of months, for example, a job that lasted from 2008 to 2009 will look better than working from July 2008 to February 2009.
Don't make excuses. Once you get your foot in the door, don't focus on why you were out of work or out of luck. Rather, focus on the new skills you acquired, projects you worked on or opportunities you created.  
Give yourself a break. Keep in mind that most of us have been layoff, been terminated or have had children.