Explaining gaps in employment to a new employer can be tough.
It’s common for everyone to have at least one period of unemployment during their career – in other words, a gap in their CV. Hiring managers and recruiters will be looking at these when considering you for a job and will need to see clear reasons.
Many people think that a gap in employment is a negative, particularly if they were unwell or out of work – but it doesn’t have to mean that. Life happens when we least expect it and there can be a whole range of perfectly good reasons for being out of work.
Valid reasons can include:
- Having a health condition
- Being made redundant and trying to find a new job
- Having a gap year to travel
- Having a baby or raising a family
- Caring for a family member
These are just a few reasons for having gaps in your employment, but applicants often aren’t sure how to explain these and believe it could stop them from getting the job.
Here are some tips to help you explain any gaps in employment to an employer:
Say what you learned during your gap in employment
Rather than just saying you were out of work, try to expand on what you did during this time. How did you spend your time? Did you take the time to learn something new? Maybe you learned a new skill in your spare time.
Even if you didn’t, try thinking about one or two skills you’ll need in the job you’re applying for and talk about how you spent time honing that skill, which will be more impressive than saying you spent time playing on your Xbox!
Exclude months for short gaps in employment
If you were out of work or seeking a new role, you can include the year and season, rather than the months. For example:
- Unemployed and actively seeking work – winter, 2020
- Offered new role and awaiting paperwork – spring, 2020
Work from a skills-based or functional CV
This type of CV focuses on the skills and strengths you have and how you have achieved them, rather than your working history. These CVs are good for people who are searching for a career change. A skills-based CV means that there will be less of a focus on dates and times when you have not been working.
Highlight the benefits
Taking a gap year to travel or take some time out from the working world can have great advantages
Explain to the employer your reasons for taking time out to travel or go volunteering. Say more than just taking time out from working. What made you want to visit a particular place? What were the benefits of travelling? Highlight advantages such as learning something new, understanding a different culture, being independent and learning new skills. You may not associate travelling with skills for work, but these can include all sorts of things, such as building confidence, working on your own initiative, problem-solving, organising and planning.
Explain health conditions briefly
Taking time out of work for reasons of health can make you want to leave it off your CV completely. This is because people worry that an employer will see time off as slacking or that they are less likely to get the job. If anything, an employer will simply want to know your valid reason and if they will need to support your well-being if they offer you the job. But, as long as you’re upfront and open with the employer, they will appreciate it. And they will want to know about health conditions where they can offer extra support if they offer you the job.
Here’s what you can say:
‘I developed a serious illness that meant I had to take some time out of work. I spent X weeks/months recovering and looking after myself, got better and was ready to return to work.’
‘A long-term condition meant that I needed support to manage and get the right treatment for.’
You don’t need to go into lots of detail. Explain what happened, the length of time it was for and steps you took to help you return to work.
Bonus: Here are some positive examples of language you can use to tell an employer in an interview or on your CV about the gap in employment:
‘I went on a gap year to (country X), which really helped me to broaden my experiences of X and learn about culture.’
‘While looking for work, I did a short course in X, which helped me to develop in (skill).’
‘I was looking for work after being made redundant, and taking the time to write job applications and network with people in my industry to find a new job.’