While defining a career gap means that your employment history has a period where you weren’t working in paid employment.
When an employee leaves a certain job he/she is worried to define the gap. Many people think that career gaps will give a negative impact that will cause potential employers not to consider their CVs. It makes job applicants unsure in constructing their resumes.
During a career break a job seeker should also focus on the following aspects such as building a resume in a strong format, also highlighting freelancing work, and defining the break correctly. Additionally, hiring managers are starting to be more aware of the prevalence of gaps in their careers.
Smriti Gupta shared a LinkedIn post clarifying the relevant points, “Some common reasons for career gaps include taking time off for family reasons, pursuing further education, or experiencing personal or financial difficulties.”
“One way to explain a career gap on your CV is to include it in the “Work Experience” section, along with the dates of the gap and a brief explanation of the reason for it”, Smriti added.
“You can also highlight any relevant activities or accomplishments during the gap, such as volunteering or taking classes that are related to the job you’re applying for”, she added.
“Another approach is to include a separate section on your CV titled “Career Gaps” or “Relevant Experience” to address any gaps in your work history, and to explain the reasons for the gap, and what you did during that time”, she added.
She further added, “It is important to remember to focus on the positive, and to frame the gap in a way that shows that you have used the time constructively and that you are ready to return to work. So do not hide your career gap, be honest about it. Learning is more important than results.”
