How to explain a gap in your CV

by Michael Cheary

Mind the gap…

There are many reasons why someone may decide to take a break from work. But no matter what the reason is, knowing how to address these empty spaces on your CV can be a challenge – and failing to do so could even mean missing out on finding the perfect role for you.

We’ve already put together a career break CV template, but to help make sure yours doesn’t hold you back, here’s everything you need to know about explaining a gap in your CV:

What is a career gap?

A career gap is a period of time you’ve spent out of work. It’s also sometimes known as a gap in employment.

This could be a voluntary decision to take a career break for reasons like travelling or starting a family. Or, it might have been out of your hands, coming as a result of redundancy or changing personal circumstances.

The important thing to remember is that no career gap is impossible to overcome. You just need to know how to handle it when it comes to your job applications.

Common reasons for a career gap

There are a number of reasons why you might have a career gap, but some of the most common ones are:

• Taking time off to travel: Seeing the world (such as on a gap year) is a great way to gain new experiences and perspectives.
• Family responsibilities: This could include raising children or caring for a family member.
• Health issues: Dealing with personal or family illness can require taking time away from work.
• Redundancy: Sometimes, a gap in employment is due to company changes and is out of your control.
• Further education or retraining: You might have taken time off to gain new skills or qualifications.
• Personal projects: Pursuing a passion project, volunteering, or starting your own business are all valid reasons for a career gap.

Out of work checklist: Things to do if you lose your job

Why explaining a career gap is important

Explaining a career gap is important because it provides context for recruiters and hiring managers. 

An unexplained CV gap might cause employers to wonder if you were struggling to find work, if you were let go from your last role, or if you lack commitment. By addressing the gap, you control the narrative. 

It’s your chance to show that your time away from work was productive, intentional, or necessary. A well-explained career gap can demonstrate maturity, self-awareness, and resilience – all qualities that employers value.

How to write a CV

How to explain gaps in your CV

Here are our top tips on how to address a gap in employment on your CV.

Be honest

The single most important thing to remember when dealing with a gap in your CV is that, whatever your reason for taking a break from employment, honesty is (almost) always the best policy.

 You don’t have to go into everything in detail (some situations may benefit from discretion), but leaving it out completely or lying about the reason will only make the gaps stand out further.

Additionally, never be tempted to extend your period of employment in a previous position just to cover up the gaps. There is every chance that the interviewer will call your previous employers to verify your time there.

Remember: Hiring managers do this for a living. Acknowledging and explaining a gap won’t harm your chances of employment. Lying about a gap will.

Top CV mistakes to avoid (and what to do instead)

Be resourceful

You don’t have to list every single job you’ve ever had. If you have a long career history, you can scale back the detail on older roles, which might take care of some small gaps. 

It’s also perfectly acceptable to just list the years of employment (e.g., 2021 – 2023) instead of the months. This can help to minimise the appearance of shorter breaks.

For a more significant gap in employment, your cover letter is a great place to elaborate. You can explain the gap and frame your return to work as a positive next step.

Remember: Some gaps can be addressed simply through formatting.

Career break cover letter template

Career break CV template

Stay positive

Instead of apologising for your gaps, try and put a positive spin on them.

Changing your phrasing from ‘I couldn’t find a job’ to ‘I decided to take a few months out to refocus my career and pursue a position within my desired industry’ can make your career gap look deliberate rather than desperate.

Also, if taking a break wasn’t your decision, a bit of positivity can go a long way. Focus on what you learned from the experience and what steps you’ve taken to make positive changes to your career to improve your overall performance.

Remember: Optimism is always a good look.

Be proactive

If you’re struggling to find work, and feel that gaps in your employment history are to blame, always try and be proactive.

Use your time off to take a course, seek some professional mentoring, or take up a voluntary position. This will demonstrate to the employer that you’re utilising your time effectively, and help set your CV apart.

If you can’t find a voluntary position or course to suit you, there are always other ways of demonstrating your talents. Writing a blog, for example, can be a great way to showcase your skills, and also actively exhibit your willingness to further your career.

Remember: Don’t just sit by the phone, waiting for it to ring. Make the most of your time out.

Prepare for the interview

One of the key things to remember is that, should your CV prove to be successful, you are likely to be offered an interview. And, during the interview, it’s almost inevitable that you will be asked about these gaps in some form.

Prepare what you’re going to say in a short and pertinent response, and you won’t be caught off guard.

Also, use your pre-interview preparation to research the company and the industry as a whole. That way, you’ll prove to your interviewer that your absence has not affected your passion for the profession or your ability to keep up-to-date with the latest industry trends.

Remember: If you’ve already practiced your response, you won’t be caught out when the question comes up.

Pre-interview checklist

Where should I explain a CV gap?

Ah, the classic question: ‘Where do I actually drop the news about my career break?’ Don’t worry, you’ve got options.

Here’s where you can address your CV gap:

• On your CV itself: If your gap was significant (think six months or longer), it’s often best to mention it briefly in your employment history. A simple line like ‘Career break for personal development (2022–2023)’ or ‘Travel and volunteering (2021)’ will do. 
• In your cover letter: This is your chance to provide a little more context and show what you gained from your time away. Did you upskill, volunteer, or wrangle toddlers (a leadership bootcamp in disguise)? Let them know how the experience made you even more employable.

• During the interview: If you didn’t or couldn’t squeeze an explanation into your CV or cover letter, be ready to chat about it face-to-face (or over Zoom). Keep it brief, positive, and focused on how you’re raring to get back to work (not reliving every episode of daytime TV you watched).

Basically, be upfront, pick the place that feels right for your circumstances, and always steer the conversation towards what you can offer now.

Ways to explain CV gaps during an interview

Obviously, there are many different reasons for taking a career break, whether it’s by choice or not.

Whilst this is by no means a comprehensive list, we’ve outlined some of the possible reasons below, including some ideas for how to address them at an interview.

If you were travelling

• Do say: ‘I took six months out to immerse myself in a different culture. I feel I’ve gained a new perspective and learned some valuable life lessons. I’m now ready to focus on my career.’
• Don’t say: ‘I spent six months travelling because I wasn’t ready to settle down. I don’t remember most of it.’

If you were dealing with family issues

• Do say: ‘I spent the last year caring for a sick relative. Their health has now recovered, and I’m ready and eager to re-enter the workforce.’
• Don’t say: ‘I’ve had personal issues which I’d rather not discuss.’

If you were unwell

• Do say: ‘Due to a health issue, I felt unable to continue in my previous position. I have now returned to full health and feel ready and motivated to take on my next challenge.’
• Don’t say: ‘I have a recurring health problem which has made it difficult for me to hold down a job.’

If you were made redundant

• Do say: ‘My previous employer had to make a series of budget cuts, and as I was relatively new to the company, I was unfortunately made redundant. However, I’m proud of what I achieved during my time there. My former manager, who is one of my referees, can speak to my contributions.’
• Don’t say: ‘My previous company had it in for me from day one.’

Final thoughts on career gaps

Remember, whatever your career break entailed, it’s all relative.

A few months out a couple of years ago will probably be ok. However, if you’re talking years out of employment, then planning is key.

It’s not unusual to have a gap in your employment history and it’ll only stand out if you don’t explain it. The main thing employers want is for you to demonstrate your enthusiasm and readiness to re-enter the workforce.

Finally, confidence and honesty are desirable qualities for any interviewee. Approaching the situation with the right degree of both will speak volumes about your personality.

So be honest and always attempt to address the issue early, allowing the recruiter to concentrate on the rest of your CV. 

Six ways to make your CV stand out from the crowd

View all CV advice and tips

View all interview preparation advice and tips

Still searching for your perfect position? View all available jobs now