Most people have been taught something very scary about job-hunting: if you have a gap on your resume, you’ll likely be passed over for most positions. But how true is that rule? Let’s face it, life doesn’t always go according to plan, and there are some very legitimate reasons for taking some time off from the workforce. Raising children, caring for a family member, going back to school—the list goes on. While resume gaps can give some recruiters pause, how much do they actually matter for job-hunters today? Well, that depends. What it really boils down to is that employers want to know the reasons behind any gaps, so they can avoid making a bad decision. Here are a few things to consider when looking at your own employment gaps.

The Length of the Gap Matters

If you’ve been laid off and you haven’t had much luck finding a job in the last few months, no one is going to bat an eye. Same goes for previous gaps in employment—if you’re currently employed, that’s going to matter more than any short gaps you may have. People relocate, take trips, and spend some time looking for the right fit all the time, and these short gaps aren’t a big deal.

Longer gaps are a greater cause for concern from an employer’s perspective. A gap of six months or more might require greater explanation, since a gap like this could mean anything from serving time in prison to a health issue.

The Number of Gaps Matter

If you’ve got one gap on your resume, and can give a good explanation for why it’s there, most employers won’t have a problem with hiring you, as long as you’re the right candidate. If there’s a pattern, however, that could raise a few eyebrows. Hiring managers will definitely notice if you’ve bounced around from job to job with big gaps in between. They’ll want to know why—and they might not be willing to take a chance on you.

The Reason for the Gap Matters

Circling back to why gaps are considered negative, the reason for any gaps on your resume is the most important factor in how potential employers view you. Find a way to indicate what you’ve been up to on your resume. If you’ve been working in an unrelated industry, make sure that’s on there. If you’ve done any volunteer or freelance work, make sure to mention it. Your cover letter is also a good place to briefly explain a gap (just don’t make it sound apologetic—and relate it back to your experience if you can).

Your Attitude About the Gap Matters

Don’t be ashamed of the gap in your resume. Trying to hide it will never work. Be upfront about it with potential employers, but don’t over explain. Just get the gap out of the way, and move on to what’s important: showing why you’re the best candidate for the job. If your gap was for a less-than-stellar reason, explain that too. Good employers will respect your honesty, and you’ll never win by trying to cover up a gap you’re not proud of

Overcoming a Gap

So. Do gaps on resumes really matter? As you can see, it’s on a case by case basis. If you’re dealing with a resume gap (for any reason), you may have to do a little extra work to get noticed by an employer. Don’t get discouraged, though: life happens. Your next big career move is always just around the corner.