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How do I deal with a gap in my CV?
The same basic principle applies here as with the question about dismissal: transparency is key. By a “gap in your CV,” we mean a period during which it is not immediately clear from your CV which professional activities you were pursuing. There can be various reasons for this, such as illness or burnout, caregiving responsibilities, expanding your family, a world trip or sabbatical, unemployment, or pursuing additional education.
First of all, some reassurance: a career break of a few months is quite common and, for most employers, not a reason for concern. Also, if the break took place several years ago, the focus will mainly be on your most recent work experience, and the explanation about the interruption can remain brief.
If the career break comes up during an interview, be honest and try to approach it positively. Provide the necessary context and focus especially on what you learned during that period or how it contributed to your personal or professional growth. Employers are primarily interested in what you can bring to their organisation and which insights or skills you developed in the meantime. If you were ill, you can mention this briefly, but keep in mind that you are not legally obliged to share details about your medical condition. A message such as, “I was temporarily out of work due to illness, but I have fully recovered,” is sufficient.
In some cases, it may even be useful to explicitly mention a break on your CV, such as a world trip or a long-term training programme. This helps avoid unnecessary questions or (mis)interpretations upfront. Of course, you can always provide further context during the interview if needed.
Do you have a question yourself or a specific situation you’d like advice on? Feel free to reach out. In our next article, we’ll dive into another recognisable question. Stay tuned!
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