Typeface CV/résumé template

How to prevent an employment gap on your CV 

Having a gap in your employment when writing a CV can be quite worrying for many people, and understandably so. When it comes to getting ahead of the competition you are obviously going to be up against other people that don’t have a gap, and you may feel they are in a much better position.

This isn’t always the case, and a gap in employment doesn’t mean you won’t have a chance at gaining an interview and there are lots of ways you can turn this into a positive. If you have a gap in your employment, then click here for further help.

Prevention is the best cure, and when it comes to a gap in employment you can be ready for it with lots of different options at your disposal.

Be proactive 

If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of being out of work, now’s the time to be proactive and keep busy during your search period. You are never 100% certain of how long it will take to find another job, so it’s vital you keep yourself occupied which will not only be beneficial to your own personal development, but will also fill that gap nicely.

Take a course 

Consider signing up for a course during your search for a job, as this will not only look great on your CV but will also help you to develop your skills and knowledge. It doesn’t matter if you only end up taking a few weeks before you find your next job, as it will still be important to the employer that you were proactive during your time off and proves that you are hard working and able to show initiative.

Volunteer 

Volunteering for a charity or local nature reserve is a fantastic way of filling a potential gap on your CV, as it will again show that you are not afraid to work and apply your work ethic at every opportunity. You may also find that volunteering opens other doors that you were never even aware of before you started, and could lead to a career down a path you didn’t even know existed.

Wherever possible you want to try and choose a volunteering position that is as close as possible to the role/industry you are seeking as full time employment. Any kind of work experience that can easily be transferred over to another role is a great addition to your CV.