How to Explain a Gap Due to COVID

If you are a COVID casualty and are concerned how employers will view a layoff or stall in career progression, it’ll be ok. Employers are usually pretty understanding of economic conditions wreaking havoc on people’s careers. That’s what I saw for the Great Recession and Dot Bomb. Here’s what to say about what happened:

1. Explain what happened in neutral terms: your entire team was let go, your group was merged into another, your product was cut, or no one was promoted over X period, etc.
2. Talk about what you accomplished during your time there, e.g., you helped scale the business from $X to $Y, you launched ABC products in DEF countries, you increased efficiency in processing contracts from this to that %, etc.
3. Discuss what you have been doing since the layoff, e.g. doing consulting work for your old clients, taking XYZ classes, getting certified in your space.
4. Make clear you are energized; explain how you can immediately contribute to the employer.

The economy has tanked before, but stars will always shine with their work ethic, high EQ, and on-point skills.