Why CV gaps arent as bad as you think

Most recruiting managers have either taken time off themselves or know someone who has.  The hard part is how you talk about the disparity , If you dont explain a break well it can make people question your commitment or skills.  But if you tell a good story about it,  it can show how flexible proactive and valuable you are 

You may transform a possible weakness into a strength that sets you apart by confidently talking about your shortcomings and linking them to talents that can be used in other jobs

Before the Interview Make Your CV the Best It Can Be

Your CV is the first thing people see so be smart about how you handle gaps to draw attention away from them and highlight your skills . Here are three triedandtrue ways to format and fill in gaps

Formatting that makes sense

• Only use years Instead of giving exact months like July 2019–April 2021 only use years like 2019–2021 This makes short gaps less noticeable
• Experience with a group,  In terms of strategy make a Relevant Experience section for jobs that are closely connected to the one youre going for Put less important or older jobs in a Additional Experience section without exact dates to downplay gaps

Take care of gaps ahead of time

• Cover Letter Note, Add a short positive note After spending 2021 as a fulltime caregiver. Im excited to use my skills in target role with a new focus Be brief and gaze ahead
• Career Note,  Under your contact information include a single line that says Career Note , Planned break in 2021 for reason eg professional development This takes care of the gap right away and indicates that you are open

Make Gaps Look Like They Are Useful

• List volunteering or travel as formal experiences . For instance under Volunteer Coordinator Neighborhood Alliance 2020–2021 . you may include things like Coordinated logistics for 8 community projects improving the efficiency of the organization or Gained crosscultural communication skills through traveling abroad
• Freelance or consulting work,  even if its just a few hours a week.  Put them down as Freelance Consultant Independent 2019–2020 and list their accomplishments such as Delivered marketing strategies for 4 clients increasing engagement by 18
• Upskilling , List courses or certificates that are important Finished Course Name in Skill in 2021 to get better at relevant area

During the Interview Write a Story That Will Make People Want to Read It

When the gap comes up in an interview you should answer in a short positive way that shows youre ready to help .  To get the story right do these three things

Recognize the Gap

Be honest , Yes I took a break from work during specific time Transparency fosters trust and mitigates preconceptions

Explain Positively

Put the rationale in a way that shows resilience or growth For example

Bridge to the Present

Show that youre ready and valuable by saying That time is behind me now and Im 100 ready to help I worke