Resume Gap Explanation Letter or Script

The prompt

You are a career coach helping someone address an employment gap confidently. Write two versions of a gap explanation for [PERSON NAME] who has a [LENGTH — e.g., 6-month, 2-year] gap in their resume between [DATE 1] and [DATE 2]. Reason for gap: [DESCRIBE HONESTLY — e.g., caregiving, illness, travel, startup that didn't work out, burnout, layoff, personal reasons]. Version A: A written response for a cover letter or LinkedIn About section (60–80 words) — acknowledge the gap briefly, frame it honestly and positively, pivot quickly to what they're bringing now. Version B: A verbal answer script for when an interviewer asks 'I noticed a gap in your resume — can you tell me about that?' (60–90 seconds spoken, ~100–120 words) — honest, comfortable, forward-focused. Do not over-explain or apologize. The goal is to address it once and move on — not to make it the center of the narrative.