Crafting a compelling resume as a freelancer can feel daunting. When aiming to work with top-tier tech companies, your ability to showcase relevant experience is crucial. However, addressing gaps in your work history can complicate your narrative.

Sometimes, omitting certain roles is necessary—perhaps they’re unrelated to your desired position or tied to a tech stack you want to leave behind. While this strategy can be effective, be prepared to explain any gaps during interviews. Just as nature abhors a vacuum, recruiters dislike unexplained blanks. If it’s not on your resume, consider documenting it elsewhere, such as your LinkedIn profile or personal portfolio.

When meeting with potential employers, gaps can even be reframed as opportunities to highlight growth, adaptability, or self-reflection. Take inspiration from the movie Swades, where Mohan Bhargav, a project manager at NASA, returns to India after years in the U.S. What begins as a short trip to visit his nanny turns into a transformative journey. A recruiter might be impressed by Mohan’s projects at NASA, but his deeper lessons came from his time in rural India—lessons that shaped his character and purpose.

Remember, your resume is often a formality—a gatekeeper to interviews where you can truly shine. Stay authentic, but be strategic. Include details that align with the role, leaving room to share more nuanced experiences in person. Think of your resume as a snapshot, not a full biography.