What Do You Do with a Period of Unemployment on a Resume?

I would agree to leave it blank, but since you worked for temp agencies, why not list them. You, no doubt, gained some experience while going out to differant places. If you worked for 3 differant agencies doing customer service and clerical work , You could list for instance...
"Oct 2009-Oct 2010 Registered with X, Y, Z Temporary Service Agencies
Assignments included clerical and customer service duties.'
If you had assignments to good places you could even list them.
"Assignments included, clerical work for Coca Cola of Irving, Payroll services for Boeing International."

That way there is no gap and you get credit for working for all those big time firms! That would be especially helpful if you are applying for a full time job with a place you already temped at.

i've always put down a job even if it's a temporary job, if you list on a resume a period of not working and you can't say what you've done.."besides sitting with your thumb you know where" it looks a lot better to list by day if you have to than nothing at all or out on vacation, etc

hr director told me that

Don't leave a blank spot. I work in human resources and screen resumes. What ever you did during that time put it in there. Put on there that you were a SAHM. If you want, elaborate on those responsibilities (i.e. maintaining household budget, coordinating numerous schedules and activities, etc.) A blank spot is never good. It makes HR people wonder. Good Luck in the work place! : )

Yeah, I typically leave it blank, and then explain it during interviews, I think that is the norm. Really too much filler and fluff turns people off.

I leave the spot blank. And when I get called for an interview and they ask me what I was doing between such and such a date to such and such a date, I tell them I was in school, or sahm. Just be honest! HTH!!

Personally, I would just add the dates (As they are going to ask about it) and say you've stayed home with your kids.. or traveled ... I didn't used to think that was a good idea and thought, OMG!! I have to have worked every single month of a year.. but I no longer feel that way... life changes as do resumes..
I'll be interested in hearing what others think on the topic..

good luck with job search!

oh and p.s. it won't be uncommon these days for others to have months/years they have not worked given the economy and all..

I would state that you needed a short time of being unemployed. I wouldn't leave it blank, I think they would rather see a valid reason than nothing.

When I apply for a job, I never list all of my previous jobs. I only list the ones that are relevant. If you only list the jobs, volunteer experiences, committees, etc. that are related to the job you are applying for, there are likely to be many gaps in dates. That's ok, as an employer I would probably just assume you were busy doing something that didn't specificly apply.

you put your temp jobs in to cover it. the way i did mine was put down from 2005-2009 in express personell the jobs may have lasted 3 days to 3 months but it filled in the blank spots. I put varied jobs and varied pay. and a short rundown of the jobs I did for them.

Just put the date range and "active temporary service". It' better than leaving it blank! I also appreciate seeing "stay-at-home parent" when it's appropriate. Don't have "blanks", but be honest!

I always put "spent time being a stay at home mom" and never had a problem getting hired. I took 10 months off with my first because I was breastfeeding and wanted to spend time with him. Im pregnant with number 2 now and today was my last day of work. I probably wont look for another job for 6+ months. But Ill use the same line again because its the truth.