How to Explain a Gap in Your CV: The UK Recruiter's Perspective

## The Truth About CV Gaps Career gaps are not career killers. Unexplained gaps are. When recruiters see a blank period on your CV, they don't assume the best—they assume the worst: fired, unhirable, or hiding something. The fix is simple: **own it**. --- ## Do Recruiters Really Care About CV Gaps? Most recruiters care less than you think—if you explain the gap. What triggers concern is silence. A one-line explanation removes doubt instantly. Many hiring managers focus on what you achieved in your roles, not what happened between them. But they need *something* to work with. Give them that, and the gap becomes a non-issue. --- ## What Causes Recruiters to Reject Unexplained Gaps? When there's no explanation, recruiters fill in the blanks themselves: → "They were fired and can't admit it." → "They couldn't find work for months." → "Something went wrong they're hiding." Fair? No. Reality? Absolutely. The burden of proof is on you. A single sentence removes doubt. Silence invites suspicion. --- ## How Should I Explain a Career Gap on My CV? Use the **"What + Why + Ready"** formula: 1. **What happened:** State the reason briefly (health, caregiving, travel, redundancy). 2. **What you did:** Mention any productive activity (courses, volunteering, freelancing). 3. **Why you're ready:** Signal that the situation is resolved and you're focused on your next role. Keep it to one or two sentences. Over-explaining raises more questions than it answers. --- ## Where Should I Address the Gap? You have three options: **Option 1: On the CV itself** Add a brief entry in your experience section: "Career Break (2023–2024): Carer responsibilities, now resolved." **Option 2: In your personal statement** Mention you're "returning to the industry after a planned career break." **Option 3: In your cover letter** Address it in the third or fourth paragraph. Explain what you did during the break and pivot to your enthusiasm for this role. --- ## How Do I Explain Specific Gap Reasons? ### Redundancy "My role was made redundant due to restructuring. I used the time to upskill in [specific area] and am now seeking a new challenge." ### Caring Responsibilities "I took a break to care for a family member. That situation is now resolved, and I am ready to return to work full-time." ### Parental Leave "I took time away from my career to raise my children. Now that they are in school, I am actively seeking to resume my career." ### Health or Illness "I took time off for a health issue, which is now fully resolved. I am fit and ready to get back to work." ### Job Searching or Career Change "After leaving my last role, I took time to carefully evaluate my next step, during which I completed [relevant course or certification]." ### Travel or Sabbatical "I took a planned career break to travel and develop adaptability and resilience through new cultural experiences." --- ## What Should I Avoid When Explaining Gaps? **Don't over-explain.** Too much detail—especially about health or personal issues—makes recruiters uncomfortable. Keep it brief. **Don't apologise.** Defensive language signals weakness. Treat the gap as a normal part of your career journey. **Don't lie.** Fudging dates gets caught during reference checks. Honesty is non-negotiable. --- ## Formatting Tips to Minimise Gap Visibility **Use years only.** If the gap is under 12 months, list "2023–2024" instead of "March 2023 – January 2024." It looks cleaner and draws less attention. **Consider a skills-based CV.** A functional or hybrid format highlights your capabilities first and de-emphasises chronology. **Treat the gap as a role.** List "Career Break" as an entry with skills gained: organisation, project planning, resilience. --- ## The Interview Question: "I See There's a Gap..." When it comes up in an interview, use a simple structure: 1. **Briefly explain** why you were out of work. 2. **Describe** what you did during that time. 3. **Pivot** to why this role excites you and why you're ready. Example: "I took a year out to care for a parent. During that time, I kept current with industry developments and completed a certification in project management. That situation is now resolved, and I'm excited about this role because it aligns with my experience in operations leadership." --- ## Pre-Send Checklist: Addressing Your CV Gap Use this checklist before submitting any application: - [ ] Have I acknowledged the gap somewhere (CV, profile, or cover letter)? - [ ] Is my explanation one or two sentences—not a paragraph? - [ ] Have I framed it positively without apologising? - [ ] Have I mentioned what I did during the gap (courses, volunteering, skills)? - [ ] Have I signalled that I am ready and focused on this opportunity? - [ ] Have I avoided unnecessary personal or medical details? - [ ] Have I checked my dates are accurate and consistent? --- *For more on positioning your career history, explore our [Career Strategy](/career-strategy) insights.*