How to Explain a Gap on Your Resume
BigLaw Bear · 2 min read
Maybe you took time off before law school. Maybe you had a health issue, a family situation, or just needed a reset. Whatever the reason, a gap on your resume is not the career-ender that anxiety tells you it is. But you need to handle it well.
The Rule
Be honest and brief. You don't owe anyone your full personal history. But you do need to account for your time in a way that doesn't raise more questions than it answers.
Common Gaps and How to Handle Them
Took time off before law school. If you traveled, worked on a personal project, or simply took a break, say so in one line. "Traveled through Southeast Asia" or "Cared for a family member" is sufficient. No further explanation needed.
Health-related gap. You don't need to disclose medical details. "Addressed a personal health matter" is enough. Firms can't legally probe further.
Career change. If you worked in a different field before law school, the gap between that career and law school isn't really a gap, it's a transition. Frame it as such.
Laid off or fired. This is trickier. Focus on what you did after: "Following a company restructuring, I pursued [X] before entering law school." Don't badmouth former employers.
Where to Address It
On the resume: Don't leave a mysterious blank space. Account for the time even if the description is brief.
In the cover letter: Only if the gap is long enough to raise questions (6+ months) or if you want to frame it positively. One sentence is enough.
In interviews: Have a 30-second answer prepared. Practice it until it feels natural. Then move on to talking about what you bring to the firm.
What Firms Actually Think
Most interviewers care far less about gaps than you think. They see non-traditional paths regularly. What they're evaluating is: can this person do the work, and are they committed to being here? Your transcript, your writing sample, and your interview performance matter more than a gap in your timeline.
A confident, brief explanation is always better than an apologetic, over-explained one. Own your story and redirect to why you're a strong candidate. Use the firm directory to research each firm so your interviews focus on substance, not defensiveness.