Gaps in Your Resume? Here's What You Need to Know

By Molly McCluskey

When Marian Haggerty was laid off from her job in San Francisco in 2008, she expected to find another position immediately. It was nearly a year before the experienced administrative assistant found another position, and then, it was temporary. After several more temp gigs, she moved to Southern California to try her hand in the Los Angeles market, where she continues to work temp or temp-to-permanent positions. And like many job seekers in the post-financial-collapse job market, her resume shows the scars and the gaps of her spotty employment.

"I'm asked about my gaps in employment during job interviews, and I'm just honest. I tell them it's the economy," Haggerty says. "And most people get it."