How To: Explain a Gap in Your CV

It is becoming increasingly common for people to take some time out and explore the world. Or maybe you’ve taken some time out to care for children or an ill family member. There are many good reasons we might find ourselves with a gap in our work experience. This doesn’t have to be a problem, it’s a good idea to be prepared to discuss any gaps in your CV. Being transparent is generally best practice, because if you are successful in the hiring process, and start working with your colleagues and manager, that’s not a great time to find out there’s been untruths told, it’s not a good way to start out your working relationship!

So how do you explain it? Well, in a lot of cases the experiences gained while taking a career break can be useful in your working life.

Make your travels into a professional story, and be ready to talk about them.  If the skills you used while you were taking a career break are not suitable for the main body of your resumé, put them under a Skills/Achievements section so that the hiring committee can see you’re not afraid to address that time.

Also be aware that there can be many transferable skills you may have gained while on your career break, perhaps you’ve gained experience in managing a budget, or a household. Perhaps you have better skills in managing time, or multi-tasking because of the way you spent your time. You may have done some other activities which have contributed to super useful skills, for example volunteering, or working on a committee, or working with the public, or managing your own business.

Whether you experienced a new business outlook, volunteered abroad, supported your family, or simply honed new skills, these are all attributes that enrich a candidates life experiences, and will absolutely enrich your application. We are all on a different journey, no two candidates will have arrived at the same point, via the same route. How you spent your time during your career break is an interesting and unique part of your story, so don’t be afraid to share it.

Indeed, this school of thought is becoming more commonplace. Businesses are keen to hire candidates with well honed life skills, with the ability to prioritise well under pressure, or indeed people who have spent time overseas, to provide a different perspective.

Your journey is yours, don’t be afraid to showcase the variety of skills and experiences you’ve gained, and be ready to share what you’ve learned along the way.

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