We’ve all experienced gaps in our employment journey, whether due to unemployment, redundancy, travel, or other reasons. These gaps are common and nothing to be ashamed of. However, when applying for jobs, it’s always best to address them openly and honestly to ensure you leave no room for doubt in the employer’s mind about why they occurred.
Here are some key points to consider when dealing with employment gaps:
Be Proactive, Not Reactive
When it comes to addressing employment gaps on your CV, taking a proactive stance is more advisable than hoping employers won’t notice. This is particularly crucial if you’re applying for a role in financial services, where they often require thorough scrutiny of your employment history for financial security checks.
Honesty Is the Best Policy
While it may sound like a cliché, honesty is indeed the best policy. Avoid trying to hide or close gaps through dishonesty, such as altering job start or end dates. Instead, embrace transparency in your job search.
Tailor Your Opening Summary Statement
If you have recent employment gaps, consider addressing them in the opening summary statement at the top of your CV. Briefly explain the reason for the gap, whether it’s due to maternity leave, retraining, or voluntary redundancy. A good opening statement should be concise, ideally under 120 words, and provide a brief overview of your career.
Use Your Employment History to Explain Gaps
When listing your past jobs in chronological order, resist the temptation to skip over gaps entirely. Employers are likely to notice significant lapses between roles. To provide clarity, describe what you did during these periods as if they were jobs themselves. For example, “November 2020 to February 2021– volunteered with RNLI.
Highlight What You’re Currently Doing
If you’re between jobs, avoid leaving your employment section empty. Instead, outline what you’re currently doing to enhance your job prospects. This could involve learning new skills, gaining specific qualifications, volunteering, or staying updated on industry news.
Elaborate in Your Covering Letter
If you’re not comfortable making significant changes to your CV but are aware of employment gaps, use your covering letter to provide further context. Keep your language positive and emphasise your readiness to take on new challenges. You can explain how your time away from work has helped you refocus and gain valuable experience.
Skip the Negatives
You don’t have to detail why you left a previous job on your CV, especially if it was due to being let go. Avoid using negative terms like “sacked,” “fired,” “forced out,” or “given the push.” If asked in an interview, saying you were “let go” sounds less harsh.
Be Flexible with Dates
For shorter career gaps of a few weeks or months, especially if you’ve held other jobs for an extended period, you can be less specific with your employment timeframes to avoid glaring gaps.
If you have questions about your CV or need advice while navigating a career gap, feel free to reach out to Bond Williams today. We’re here to assist you in your job search journey. By approaching employment gaps positively, being clear and honest about them, and providing reasons for their occurrence, you can navigate your job search with confidence and make an impression on potential employers.
