Top Tips on how to handle Gaps in your CV

When is a CV Gap a Problem?

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If the gap in your job history is less than six months, most employers will be unconcerned. It might take that long to find a new job after redundancy or a maternity/paternity break. Equally, if the gap was over ten years ago, an employer will generally disregard it.

A CV gap only becomes a problem when it is within the recent past, part of a recurring pattern, and/or unexplained.

Still have doubts that you can land that job? Read Application Confidence: Why You Should Aim High for a self-esteem boost.

 

Why might there be a Gap in your CV?

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The most common reasons you might have a gap in your CV are:

• redundancy
• illness, injury, or disability
• to bring up children and other family issues
• education – continuing or a return to
• to go travelling

All of these can be handled successfully if you take the right approach to explaining a career gap.

 

How to explain a Gap in your CV

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The best way to handle gaps in your CV is with a constructive, honest, and positive attitude.

 

Focus on your Suitability for the Job

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After all, this is what the employer is interested in. Are you a good fit for the job? If the answer to that question is a resounding ‘yes’, concentrate on all the ways you are suitable for the position:

• skills
• education
• achievements
• work experience
• personality

Remember, suitability isn’t just about the job you are applying for. Are you also a good fit for the company’s culture and the career path that this employer might take you on?

Showcase your suitability by tailoring your CV and cover letter to each job you apply for.

 

Be Honest and Positive

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If you can constructively explain any gap in your CV, an employer will generally disregard it. However, if you lie or try to hide the gap, the employer will inevitably find out and your application may well end its journey on the ‘no’ pile.

Be honest about any gaps in your job history, but with a positive slant. For instance, yes, you have an eight month gap in your CV after you were made redundant, but you used those eight months to re-assess your career plan, search for a new job, and improve your skills through online training. Demonstrate how you took advantage of the gap to enhance your appeal as an employee.

Where should you explain the gap? That will depend on the format of your CV and whether you are able to include a cover letter in your application. Add your gap explanation to your letter, your CV, or both.

 

Rethink your CV Format

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Avoid the employer’s attention going straight to the gap in your job history by beginning your CV with a personal statement that summarises who you are as an employee and why you would be a great fit for the job. For more help on this, read How To Write a Personal Statement for a CV.

The next section should be a list of your skills and achievements. Tailor this list to make it pertinent to the job. The best way to do that is to scour the job advert and description for key skills and experience.

 

Wrapping It Up

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Explaining gaps in your CV doesn’t have to be a problem if you take the right approach:

• Be honest, but positive. Show how you took advantage of the gap.
• Concentrate on your suitability for the job and demonstrate that to the employer.
• Tailor your CV and rethink its format to reflect yourself in the best way possible.