Rebooting Your CV/Resume After a Long Career Gap
Have you taken a long career gap? Wondering about the effects of that long career gap on your CV/resume?
There could be multiple effects, both positive and negative when trying to resume your professional career after a long gap. Any gap, especially those that comprise more than a year, needs to be explained on the CV/resume and interview to ensure the employer understands the reason.
Understand the effects of such gaps and the ways of addressing them on your CV/resume:
- Honesty:
The best way to address a career gap and convince an employer you are the right person is by being honest and straightforward. Make sure you don’t leave any room for interpretation and explain why you took a break. - Include Relevant Activities:
Any activities that you have done in the gap should be included in the resume. As long as it helps the employer understand the circumstances and shows the development of your skills, it should be included. - Explain what you Learned:
Even if the activities are related or not to the job, make sure to explain what you learned during the gap. Show that you didn’t just spend the time away but instead developed relevant skills for the job you are applying for. - Show your Confidence: Most importantly, make sure to show the employer that you have not lost confidence in your skills and abilities. Sum up your gap year experience on the CV/resume and explain confidently what you have done in the gap.
In conclusion, addressing a career gap on your CV/resume can be intimidating but by presenting the experience honestly and including the relevant points, it can be done successfully. Be confident and explain the skills you acquired and developed during the gap year to make a great impact on the employers.
To help you with this, we created a 10-day FREE email course, to get you started. During this course, you will get the strategies, resources, and coaching you need to grab the attention of employers who are looking for the right candidate!
By the end of the course, you will be able to write a great cover letter and CV/resume, and when you go on interviews, you’ll be prepared and confident.