Should You Disclose a Career Gap on Your CV?

Many job seekers feel like disclosing a career gap on their CV will harm their employment prospects. Are they right?

Many job seekers worry that disclosing a career gap on their CV will hurt their employment prospects. But is this concern justified?

According to research by Applied, a third of employees have taken a career break of six months or more - yet over half admit they would rather not disclose this to potential employers.

There are various reasons why someone might take a career break. If you’re not open and honest about yours, employers may make incorrect assumptions about your professional history.

There’s no need to be embarrassed about a career gap. In fact, there are ways to frame it as a positive. In this blog, we’ll explore common reasons for career gaps and how to address them professionally on your CV.

Redundancy

Experiencing redundancy can be challenging, and it’s understandable why you might struggle to address it on your CV.

There’s no need to go into great detail about why you were made redundant. A simple mention of company restructuring, the impact of the pandemic, or company closure is usually sufficient.

Instead, focus on the positives. Highlight the skills and experience you gained, just as you would for any other role. Reflect on your key achievements and link them to the job description of the role you’re applying for.

You can also show resilience by mentioning any productive activities during your time off, such as volunteering, freelancing, or acquiring new skills.

Care Responsibilities

Caring for children or other dependents is one of the most common reasons for career gaps. Despite the pressures placed on parents, particularly mothers, taking time off to care for family is not the career setback it’s often made out to be.

Simply state the period during which you took a career break for caregiving, and make it clear that you are ready to return to work. If relevant, mention any skills or experiences gained during this time, such as consulting, freelancing, or volunteering.

Parental leave does not need to be detailed in your professional history. Instead, use your cover letter to explain your motivation for returning to work and outline your future career goals.

Similarly, if you took time off to care for an ill relative, you do not need to disclose personal details about their condition. Instead, keep the focus on what you can contribute to a potential employer moving forward.

Illness

If you took a career break for health reasons, it’s important to balance honesty with privacy.

You are not obligated to disclose medical information that you’re not comfortable sharing, and it is illegal for employers to ask for such details.

A simple statement that your health concern is resolved and that you are ready and motivated to re-enter the workforce is sufficient. This can be included in your cover letter or addressed during an interview.

If you require reasonable adjustments in a new role for health reasons, you do not need to disclose this at the interview stage unless you require accommodations for the interview itself.

Dismissal

Addressing dismissal on a CV can be tricky. While you don’t need to explain why you left a previous job on your CV, the topic may come up in interviews.

If asked, avoid dishonesty and instead:

Briefly explain the situation surrounding your dismissal.
Reflect on what you learned from the experience.
Highlight your positive contributions in that role.
Refrain from speaking negatively about your former employer.

Show that you’ve learned from the experience and are ready to move forward in your career.

Career Change

Changing careers can be daunting, especially when it creates a gap in your employment history. If your career shift resulted in a break, demonstrate how you used that time productively.

Show employers that you’ve taken steps to prepare for your new industry. Highlight any relevant skills, work experience, or voluntary roles that demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment to the transition.

For a more detailed guide, check out our CV tips for career changers.

Looking Forward

Most professionals will experience a career break at some point. Fortunately, the job market is becoming more employee-focused and understanding of career gaps.

The best approach is to focus on the future - highlight your motivation, skills, and readiness to return to work.

Emma Alkirwi is the Managing Director of The CV Guru, the UK’s leading provider of professionally written CVs, LinkedIn profiles, and cover letters. For expert advice on crafting a bespoke CV, check out their CV writing services.