Are you one of the millions who have been laid off as a result of the coronavirus pandemic? This ongoing crisis has significantly impacted the job market in many industries, nationwide and around the world.

As you recover, exactly what you should say about your Covid-related employment gap on your resume, in your cover letter, and during job interviews depends on your specific situation and personal choice. But here are four general guidelines that will help facilitate your job search:

1. Acknowledge – and then fill – the gap on your resume.

On your resume, be honest in acknowledging your pandemic-related layoff, and focus on transferable skills.

  • Concisely describe what happened, and then describe the ways you’ve filled your employment gap. Have you been volunteering, learning a new skill, or working toward a professional certification? Create an entry in your Experience section.
  • Place an end date on the job you lost. Being upfront and not trying to couch this information will pay off in the long run. If you try and camouflage it, an employer may question your trustworthiness and integrity.


  • 2. Stay positive and build your network.

    Keeping an upbeat attitude can be challenging when you’ve been out of work – not to mention socially cut off from everyday life – for a while. But if you maintain and communicate your enthusiasm and keep building your professional network, you’ll be more successful in your job search, and you won’t feel like this time is all for naught.

  • Take at least one concrete step in the right direction. For instance, retrain for an in-demand job or set up a weekly Zoom coffee klatch to stay in touch with peers and discuss options, ideas, and possible opportunities.


  • 3. Provide context in your cover letter.

    Your cover letter has more room than your resume for flexibility and creativity. Add helpful context to support your job search case.

  • If you’re considering an industry switch, elaborate on how your past experience and skills still apply and would add value.


  • 4. Be interview ready.

    Be prepared ahead of time by anticipating which questions you may be asked during a job interview. Use your responses to relieve any concerns an employer may have about your time off.

  • Make sure you sound enthusiastic but not desperate. And always stay honest as you discuss how you’ve been spending your time during this job transition.
  • Remember, it’s a two-way street. During an interview, you’re assessing an employer just as much as they’re assessing you. If they’re inconsiderate about your Covid-19 layoff, do you really want to work for them? If red flags crop up about this or any other issue, think twice.


  • The career development experts at PrideStaff Fresno can help from start to finish as you bounce back from your Covid-19 layoff. Whether it’s fine-tuning your resume, preparing for interviews, networking, or any other step along the road to success, we’re right there with you. Contact us today to learn more.

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