I know times are rough but I wanted to make sure to help in anyway possible…Check out 6 tips to helping you spruce up your resume after the jump.

@funkmasterflex

Mind the Gap
Don’t draw attention to it. Gaps are deadly. Anything over six months is a danger sign to an employer. They think, “Other people have passed this person up, so why should I hire him?”

Plug up Holes
You need to plug up the gap. You can do so with your own consulting firm or your own projects, even advice you gave your brother-in-law across the kitchen table. However, don’t put “CEO” or “principle” for consulting. If you were doing marketing consulting, put “marketing consultant.” “CEO” seems like you don’t play nice. If the potential employer asks you why you don’t continue consulting, you say something neutral, like “I always wanted to own my own company, but it was lonely. I like working on a team.”

Refresh Skills
Get certified in a new skill pertaining to your field, i.e. an ACE (Adobe Certified Specialist) if you work in information technology. Put this at the top of your resume and explain your time off in your cover letter as a chance to get your certification.

Don’t Call Out Volunteer Work
Do local volunteer work, but don’t call out that it’s volunteer on your resume. If the job application asks you to specify salary next to the project, put “pro bono.”

“Down Economy” = Weak Applicant
DON’T mention the phrase “down economy.” There is no such thing to a good employee.

Time Off Was Your Choice
The potential employer doesn’t need to know how long you were looking. You want to make it seem like it was a choice. Say you took time for yourself with something like, “Oh I rarely take time off when I’m employed so I took some vacation time.”
–Cynthia Shapiro