Explaining Gaps in Employment -
A CV Centre Guide
Explaining Gaps in Employment
How you decide to explain any gaps in your employment on a CV, application
form or cover letter can depend very much on what the specific reasons
behind the gap are. Some gaps are much easier to explain away than others
and the key is really to try and make it sound as positive as possible.
If there is no way of avoiding the gap in employment, trying to put in
an explanation is generally preferable to ignoring it completely. Many
employers will discard your CV at first glance if there are unexplained
gaps because they will instinctively draw their own conclusions as to
the reasons for the gap and their interpretation of the events may not
necessarily be a positive one.
There are probably some gaps in employment that you need not bother mentioning
and these particularly include those that were only for a couple of months
at a time or those that occurred a very long time ago. On a CV, the easiest
way to avoid these sorts of gaps being highlighted is to only give the
years for your employment rather than the months. On the other hand, the
gap in employment may well have been used constructively and you may consider
that it will add value to your CV.
If the gap in your employment is because of time taken to travel, the
decision whether or not to include it is dependent upon how long the career
break was for and whether or not you did anything fulfilling during this
time. Not all employers look on a career break for travelling as a disadvantage.
On the contrary, many believe that the cultural awareness and sense of
independence you will have gained as a result of the experience will prove
invaluable to you in your future career. Perhaps you were able to undertake
further qualifications or training during this time and, if so, these
should be included in your CV.
Many people have gaps in their employment due to having taken maternity
leave. Indeed, paternity leave is now also becoming commonplace and should
probably be included in the CV, particularly if you have also undertaken
any part-time work or studying during this time. It can also be useful
to cover this subject in your cover letter by emphasising the fact that
you have made all the necessary childcare arrangements and are now ready
to return to the workplace.
Sometimes, no matter how hard you have been trying, the right job is just
not out there for you and you have a gap in your employment history purely
for this reason. It is often very difficult for this scenario to be given
a positive slant as many employers will find it easier to believe that
you have just been idle during this time. Again, the key is to highlight
anything positive that you have undertaken during this time and, if you
haven’t actually achieved anything, then perhaps you can try to
find something that you can do that will add value to your CV. For example,
even though you have not been able to find a suitable job, there may well
be a voluntary position that you can take on just to keep you active during
this time. Alternatively, you could complete additional qualifications
or training programmes. Either way, when preparing your CV and cover letter,
make sure that you clearly state how you have been proactive in your job
seeking during this time and that you are readily available to start work
at the convenience of the employer.
Some career gaps are due to having suffered an accident or illness where
time off from work was an essential phase of the recovery process. In
this case, the gap should be explained in such a way as to reassure potential
employers that the issue is now completely resolved and that you are fit
for work.
You should never be tempted to extend the length of time you were in employment
to cover any of these gaps because an employer is more than likely going
to take references from your previous employers and will be able to find
out straight away whether or not you have been dishonest. Whatever the
situation is, just be positive and make sure that you come across as enthusiastic
and ready for work.
