Q: What's the best way to explain long unemployment gaps, weird job moves, short job stints, multiple moves etc. on a resume?

A: A good resume tells a story: Your story. And that story must be cohesive, succinct and informative—leaving very little, if anything to call into question. While not every minute event should be detailed, it is vital to assess and include the most important sound bites … Because one key omission or ad nauseam diatribe and your candidacy is DOA.

Omitting important information on resumes is perhaps the most common mistake made by legal professionals today. A few typical exclusions include explanations for: long employment gaps, short moves, weird moves, nonlegal moves, low salary, no promotions, industry switches, education issues to name a few. And these types of omissions can prove costly. Why? Because a lack of information is like a piece of Swiss cheese—creating holes that employers and resume readers will fill with something negative—beliefs, ideas, impressions, judgments—whether they are warranted or not. It's human nature. So plugging these holes with information that you control is the best move if you want to secure the next step forward.