long term vacation vs gap in employment history

[5t3v3]

I quit my job of 3 years in Sept, 09 to go on a backpacking adventure in Australia and New Zealand.
I just came back to Canada after 8 months and now I'm looking for work.

The resume of course shows an 8 month gap in my employment history. Due to the nature of recent layoffs and such, I don't want any potential employers to assume I got laid-off and hasn't found work since.

I feel like I should say something on the resume about that.
What do you think?

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Put in a section that says September 2009-Present and what you were doing?

[kaput]

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[dannie]

From an employers perspective, if there is a gap in the employment history, I question it. I would put something in there about taking time off to travel and put where you travelled to. Perhaps the person interviewing has been there and all of a sudden you have something fun to talk about during the interview

[5t3v3]

Originally posted by Twin_Cam_Turbo
Put in a section that says September 2009-Present and what you were doing?

Yeah, that's what I've been considering. I just thought it looked out of place to put it under "Professional Experience"


Originally posted by kaput
Yes you should explain the gap on your resume. How much did your trip cost and did you work during it?
I worked for hospitality and it's irrelevant to my profession.
I blew over $15,000.... I don't even wanna think about the exact figure. haha


PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Australia and New Zealand
Sept, 09 - May, 10
- 30+ cities and attractions visited
- Skydiving, bungy jumping, scuba diving, caving
- met 100+ interesting people, made 2 lifelong friends and got laid a number of times


Hhahaha... that last part is a joke but yeah, I think I'll put something. Now I have to figure out where I should put it.

[kaput]

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[5t3v3]

"self directed cultural exchange"

That's fricking brilliant.

[kaput]

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[Davetronz]

Yeah, if I see a gap like that in someone's resume I often question it. Of course, it usually isn't enough to prevent me from interviewing them if their resume is good otherwise. I'll typically ask about it in the pre-screen or interview though.

[jwslam]

If I'm a student and I was working, and now I'm still a student but not working, how does that make my resume look?

[Davetronz]

Originally posted by jwslam
If I'm a student and I was working, and now I'm still a student but not working, how does that make my resume look?

That you're focusing on your studies. Nothing wrong with that in my eyes.

[Cos]

You should be writing a cover letter anyways. Put it in the cover letter. Solves all your problems.