Employment gaps have plagued many military spouses over the decades and prevented plenty of them from securing employment. This issue alone has left many qualified military spouses either unemployed or underemployed. Equipped with the right resume and armed with the tips below, every military spouse can land that next job!

Here are a few things to keep in mind when dealing with employment gaps:

• Don’t stress about your gaps! Your focus should be on highlighting the skills and qualifications for the job for which you are applying.
• Be confident in your skills and qualifications and understand how they are valuable to the employer.
• Be ready to address the gaps in your employment during your interview. Be honest but unapologetic.

Resumes: Ditch the Template; Use a Hybrid!

Steer clear of resume templates! Recruiters and human resources will spot these often sub-standard formats a mile away. The majority of military spouses benefit most from what is called a combination or hybrid resume. A hybrid resume is a combination of a chronological and functional resume that enables you to structure your resume in a way that works best for you without looking like you are hiding something or missing an opportunity to be visible to a recruiter. The best hybrid resumes will include the following:

• Comprehensive Skills Summary: A hybrid resume enables you to state your most relevant qualifications up front. Take advantage of this flexibility by including a summary of your strengths and qualifications in relation to the job description.
• Accomplishment-Driven Job History: Be clear and concise, and be sure to focus on accomplishments rather than job duties. Include a simple summary of the position and then bullet out key accomplishments or achievements.
• Professional Education and Training Section: You should always include your education; however, a training course should only be included if it is relevant. If you are applying for a baking assistant position, do not include a yoga certification. However, if you took time off working to earn a certification or to take a training course, then this is an ideal location to address employment gaps without drawing too much attention to them. Be sure to include dates of completion.