Be proactive. Unexplained employment gaps make employers hesitate. Hesitant employers will not contact you. Preempt any speculation about your license and work ethic by explaining these gaps in a cover letter. Most employers understand that family members get sick and that children always come first. However, long gaps can dull your clinical skills. In this situation, consider taking additional CME courses or shadowing other clinicians to get your skills back up to speed. Be sure to include any steps you have taken to sharpen your clinical skills after these gaps in your cover letter.