Do you have gaps in your career history or periods of unemployment that you are worried about? Wondering what recruiters will think and how you should present or explain this to potential employers, if you get that far? Or should you just ignore them as surely everyone must have gaps in their career history at some point?
MOST IMORTANTLY…..DO NOT IGNORE THEM!!!!
A lack of information will just lead a recruiter or potential employer to fill it in for you and they will make all sorts of inaccurate and probably unfavourable assumptions about why you have a gap in your employment history.
You need to address these in a professional and clear manner. If there are large gaps of a few months of more on your CV then you are definitely best to explain the gaps as this could be the only thing between you and someone else being selected for an interview. Here are some common reasons for gaps in employment and how you could address them:
- Being a parent: if you were on maternity/paternity leave or a full time parent for a while then acknowledge this rather than leaving the recruiter to wonder. Also mention if you volunteered during this time such as a being a member of parent’s groups or part of the school committees as this will help towards explaining gaps more professionally and potentially beneficially.
- Health reasons (personal or family): if you were not working due to ill health or were a carer for a period then state this and mention you are now well enough to consider work again. If you do not say it, then a recruiter most likely won’t give you the chance to explain in an interview.
- Made redundant: this is a reason that may appear more in certain industries than others and can be explained in a professional and positive light despite what many people think. For example, you took the opportunity for redundancy to do some travelling or change career path, seek new opportunities, or undertake further education or training.
- Career break: this is becoming a more frequent occurrence on CVs as people take advantage of career breaks to go travelling or try new things. It can illustrate your life experience and even create new opportunities or great talking points in an interview. Just make sure you acknowledge it professionally…..!
Some industries are more particular about gaps in employment, for example roles in the police, banks, security and civil service roles you may need to prove the time you were not in paid employment. This can usually be done via a form from the job centre if you were claiming job seekers allowance or employment support allowance.
Hope that helps and good luck!
The CV Guru