How to effectively explain a gap in your CV

Employment gaps in your work history is more common than you think, and chances are employers will ask about them when recruiting, so be prepared to explain those gaps in your CV.

As part of the recruitment process, employers want to understand why you were unemployed (and, if you were fired, why!). They are assessing if you have the skills and experience for their job opening and want to understand if you are ready to take on the responsibilities of their job role.

Don’t leave a gap in your CV unexplained – hoping that you will be able to explain it at interview. HR teams and hiring managers may have many candidates to choose from and you may not even get that interview if you have not given a short explanation in your resume or covering letter.

Here at Peak Talent, our number one recommendation when asked by HR to explain any periods of unemployment is to be honest.

Made redundant?

Most people will experience this in their working lives. Explain why you were let go – restructure, downsizing or the like but showcase your achievements whilst in the job role and at interview tell your prospective new employer that you have a glowing reference from your previous manager or organisation (only if you have one of course!).

Went travelling?

Be ready to explain what skills you learnt and let the hiring manager know that you are ready to put them to good use and that you are looking to resume your career.

Left a role voluntarily?

If you had a specific reason, mention it. Was there something interesting you learnt during the gap? Did you do voluntary work or perhaps you looked after an ill relative?

Dismissed from a previous role?

Don’t lie about it, it really is not worthwhile. As part of the recruitment process, references will be taken and so you will get found out.

As part of the recruitment process, you will be asked about those employment history gaps so explain your reasons, keeping your answer short and simple and end your explanation on a positive note. If the interviewer wants more information, they will ask.

Never speak ill of a previous employer.

Remember, you want to show career progression, not stagnation. More importantly, you want to showcase why you are perfect for the role you have applied for.

Interviews are a two-way process, and the right employer will see value in your gap of employment -providing you can give enough details if it’s relevant to your application. If you had a two-week gap 7 years ago an employer may not be interested in why that was.

At Peak Talent, we take the time to go through your CV with you to understand those gaps of employment and match you with job opportunities that work for you.

We act with honesty and integrity to provide ethical recruitment solutions – this means we ensure our candidates explain their reasons for gaps of employment and pass those reasons on to our clients, so they do not risk screening out a candidate with amazing talent.