Should You Put A Career Break On Your CV?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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So now we know what not to do, how should you show a career break on your CV? The quick answer is that

you should state any career break clearly and provide any level of further information you feel comfortable with

and that might be useful to position this career break in the mind of a recruiter.

How do I describe my career break on my CV?

Describe your recent career break in your summary or objective. Include a



summary or objective at the top of your application where you mention the reason for your career break and explain how taking a break set you up for success in your next position.

Do you put career break on CV?

In the experience section of your resume,

list your career break as if it were a job

. Instead of a job title and company, you can list “personal sabbatical,” “family leave” or other similar phrases to simply account for any periods of time when you didn't have a job.

Does a career break look bad on your CV?


Breaks shouldn't be a barrier to getting a position

, but can raise a red flag for some recruiters, Andrew South from Agoge Recruitment says. “In an age where personal brand is so important, it means the way you approach a career gap or opportunity is all the more important,” he says.

How do I write a CV after a long career break?

  1. Be honest about your experience.
  2. Describe your recent career break in your summary or objective.
  3. Remove months of employment.
  4. List your career break as a sabbatical.
  5. Career break to be a caregiver.
  6. Career break to travel.

How long is too long of an employment gap?

A gap of

three months or less

should not raise too many eyebrows because three months is an acceptable timeframe to be job-seeking or taking a vacation between contracts. Similarly, if you were fired from a job that lasted less than three months, consider leaving this off your resume.

What is a good reason for a gap in employment?


Taking time off to relocate and find a job in

a new state/city. Pursuing further education or going back to school. Pursuing any other type of professional training. Taking time off to travel, study, work on a solo project, etc.

Is it OK to take career break?

Taking a career break can seem daunting at first, but it could be one of the best decisions you ever make. Career-wise, a break could help you to up-skill, find motivation, or even set you off on a whole new path. … And you may be surprised to discover that

career breaks are actually encouraged by some employers

.

Is it OK to take a break from job?

Many people feel taking a break

adds too much work

in preparing to be away and then making up for the missed time. While it may take some effort, the health and well-being benefits you'll gain more than make up for those costs.

How do you explain a gap in employment?

  1. Spend your time unemployed preparing to return to work.
  2. Determine which jobs you need to include.
  3. Try to disguise small gaps by omitting the month.
  4. Use a resume style or format that makes the gap less obvious.
  5. List the reason for longer employment gaps as its own job.

How long is an acceptable career break?

How long should a career break be? Most commonly, career breaks fall within the

six months to two years bracket

. Less than a month would be considered a mini-break.

What age should you take a career break?

There are a few things that make a career break unique; namely that you should have a career that you are breaking away from. This puts the typical career break age range

from 27 to 57 years old

. Younger, and it might be considered a Gap Year and older it may be considered retirement.

How do you justify a break in career?


You want to be truthful without going into unnecessary detail

. A basic template for your answer could be: “I [reason you were not employed]. During that time, [what you did during the gap]. Returning to work was top of mind during that period and I'm ready to do that now.”

Can I get a job after 10 years gap?

  1. Assess your situation. …
  2. Update your CV with your career break. …
  3. Network. …
  4. Be prepared for your interview. …
  5. Look for career returner programs. …
  6. Be confident. …

Why Being unemployed is bad?

Unemployment has costs to a society that are more than just financial. Unemployed individuals

not only lose income

but also face challenges to their physical and mental health. Societal costs of high unemployment include higher crime and a reduced rate of volunteerism.

How do I get a job after 10 years unemployed?

  1. Develop your skills. Use your time while looking for a job to earn skills and experience to benefit your career. …
  2. Make new contacts. …
  3. Have your job materials ready. …
  4. Invest in education.
Rachel Ostrander
Author
Rachel Ostrander
Rachel is a career coach and HR consultant with over 5 years of experience working with job seekers and employers. She holds a degree in human resources management and has worked with leading companies such as Google and Amazon. Rachel is passionate about helping people find fulfilling careers and providing practical advice for navigating the job market.