Should I Address a Resume Gap?

When you’re applying to law school, you might be concerned that gaps in your resume could negatively affect your chances of admission. 

On a recent episode of the LSAT Demon Daily podcast, a listener asked for advice on whether to address a two-year employment gap, which was caused by fertility treatments and preparing for parenthood.

The listener’s main concern was whether or not she should explain the gap in a law school application—perhaps in a personal statement or an addendum. She didn’t want to share overly personal information or face potential discrimination for being a parent, but was also anxious about the ramifications of leaving the gap unaddressed.

If you’re in a similar position and have a gap in your resume that you don’t know whether to address in an application, this article will help you decide what to do.

Do Law Schools Care About Resume Gaps?

The truth is, law schools care much more about your LSAT score and GPA than they do about things like employment gaps. 

While the gap will be visible on your resume, you don’t need to overthink it. Many schools allow applicants to explain extended gaps in employment in a straightforward manner. In most cases, it’s as simple as stating, “I took time off to focus on family.” That’s it—no need for a long explanation or emotional details.

Should You Explain a Resume Gap In Your Personal Statement?

As for whether information about your resume gap should go in your personal statement, it’s generally best to avoid it. 

Your personal statement is an opportunity to highlight your strengths and motivations for attending law school, not to justify life choices unrelated to your academic or professional qualifications.

If the school specifically asks about gaps in employment, a short, professional explanation will suffice. There’s no need to elaborate unless you feel it’s relevant to the bigger picture of your application. And if a school has a problem with a gap caused by parenting or health concerns, it’s probably not the right fit for you anyway.

Takeaway

Don’t overthink a resume gap, and don’t feel the need to over-explain the reason behind your time away from work or study.

Applying broadly to a range of schools will give you options, so even if one school is concerned about your employment gap, others likely won’t be. Ultimately, you won’t go wrong if you focus on your strengths, apply to a lot of different schools, and let your numbers do the talking.