One of the most common obstacles job seekers face in writing their own resumes and cover letters is that of how to handle gaps in their employment history. Gaps are spans of unemployment that typically come about as a result of a planned leave of absence or an unexpected resignation or sudden termination. Of course, there are many reasons why gaps occur—short-term substitute assignments, a move due to a spouse’s job transfer, a stay-at-home-mother returning to the workforce, a mutual ‘parting of the ways’ between employer/employee, etc.—and so it’s not necessary to assume a gap will automatically raise a red flag with the prospective school district.