How Do You Explain A Career Break On A CV?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  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 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.

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 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.

Should you put a career break on your CV?

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.

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 okay to have an employment gap?


There is nothing wrong with having a gap between jobs

. For many people, this gap is a wonderful and exciting time to grow, slow down, reposition, follow passions, and shirk routine. Even if a gap was not part of the plan, it should not affect your marketability to a future employer.

What counts as a gap in employment?

An employment gap is

any time in which a person is not employed at a job

. This period of time can be weeks, months, or even years depending on the person's situation. People could have an employment gap for a number of reasons, including going back to school, staying home with children, or even traveling.

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 I explain a gap in my resume as a stay at home mom?

In the work history section of your resume, cover the employment

gap by simply stating that you were raising children during this time

. Choose language that makes it clear that staying at home with the kids was entirely your decision and the number one reason you left your last job.

How do I write my CV for a gap year?

  1. Don't leave a gap in your resume.
  2. Do give yourself credit for your achievements.
  3. Don't be generic. “
  4. Do include a summary (also known as an overview).

How do you explain a gap in an interview?

  1. Set the scene. …
  2. Explain your reasons. …
  3. Follow up with the results. …
  4. Summarize, but emphasize your inherent gap year awesomeness. …
  5. Put them at ease. …
  6. Be sure to judge the situation. …
  7. Be confident and own it.

How can I start my career after long gap?

  1. Determine what you want out of a job. …
  2. Reflect on your career break or sabbatical. …
  3. Familiarize yourself with current trends in your industry. …
  4. Network. …
  5. Improve your skills. …
  6. Update your resume. …
  7. Practice interviewing. …
  8. Briefly explain your career break.

Can I get a job after 4 years of unemployment?

It's more difficult to find a job after long-term unemployment; but

it's very possible

. However, you need to apply for a lot of jobs.

Is it harder to get a job when unemployed?

The good news is that

feeling the stigma of unemployment actually increases the chances of finding a new job

, according to a 2019 study published in the Journal for Labour Market Research. Because of this stigma, many people who are unemployed place a very high value on regaining employment.

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.