Ask an Expert: How to Explain Employment Gaps on a Resume

At AOL Jobs, we receive a lot of questions from readers asking how to address a significant gap in employment due to caring for a sick family member, coping with an extended illness or raising a family.

In this situation, it is best to be transparent and explain what you have been doing during this period of time. It is better to account for the time away from the work world on your resume than to neglect to reference the employment gap and let employers come to their own (and possibly incorrect) conclusions.