Employers give tips on how job seekers can proactively address their gaps that may appear on their resume.

When the recession began, the question that popped up repeatedly was, “Can I find a job in this economy?” Then, for those fortunate enough to be offered a position, the question often became, “Should I take a job even if it’s a step down from my last role?”

Both of these questions weighed heavily on workers, not just because they were worried about making enough money to cover their bills &mdash though they surely were &mdash but also because these quandaries could damage their long-term career goals. Job seekers want to make a strong first impression with employers, and a résumé with an employment gap or a work history that shows a step back isn’t going to do that. Or at least that’s what most job seekers fear.

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