A different question on Cv Gap(s)

Mr Yellow

Howdy,

Couldnt find something specific to my query so here goes - Basically, will be sending out my cv in next week or so in the hope of getting a job.

I was travelling for almost 2 years but had an accident after returning meaning i have been unable to work with last 5 months.

How should i capture the additional gap on my cv with relation to the accident?? Would it look really off-putting having the 2 year travel section & then unable to work on my cv?

Appreciate any info.

Thx,
Mr Y

BostonB

Is it relevant to the job?

Mr Yellow

BostonB wrote: »

Is it relevant to the job?

Hey BostonB.

Is what relevent to the job?? If you mean the accident, no it was nothing to do with the job

BostonB

Then it shouldn't be on the CV in my opinion. Put what skills and experience you have on the CV. If theres gaps, then thats to discuss in the interview.

Mr Yellow

Appreciate the feedback. Cheers BB

BostonB

I think a cv should be able to tell a busy manager what you can do for them today. And at a 5 sec glance. Everything else is for the interview. Indeed it less stuff they can have a doubt about.

thebiglad

I think in the current environment a gap of 5 months 'seeking employment' will not even be questioned.

Don't worry about it, focus on the positives in your CV and deal with the matter in the interview if it even comes up.

BostonB

Time outs for travelling are pretty normal. People get sick. If someone has a problem with either, you're better off not working there. Life experience makes people more mature and a more rounded person. Well most of the time. Your not working you should do a course or a project to show your back to a working mindset. Thats what I reckon. Its all guess work anyway.

Mrs OBumble

BostonB wrote: »

Then it shouldn't be on the CV in my opinion. Put what skills and experience you have on the CV. If theres gaps, then thats to discuss in the interview.

That only works if you get to the interview.

In the past, I've wasted an hour (multiple times over) interviewing people who I shouldn't have bothered with interviewing. Luckily, I then had a manager who taught me how to read CVs, and how 10 minutes reading time could save 2 hours (pre-interview, interview, write-up etc) time later on.

Two big things he taught me to look for:

1 Gaps need to be explained.
2 Claims about skills/experience etc need to match what the person's actually DONE, not simply what they SAY they can do.

That doesn't mean you need to tell the full truth. In the OP's case, 2 years travelling could easily extend to 2 years 5 months. The eCollege course you're doing while unemployed can easily become a major activity for a time. Voluntary work can be made to sound better than it is. Etc. But don't lie outright either.

BostonB

The page space used for explaining travel/illness in any detail is better used in detailing experience skills and experience, in my opinion. As the latter is more likely to get you an interview, and the former not. Considering you want to keep the CV as short but as informative as possible. Not the gap, but its of low importance.

Unless of course you applying for a job in a bank/security and your two years travelling was not voluntary but a guest of the state or something like that.

Mr Yellow

Thanks all for your feedback.

Sorting the cv at the minute. Looking into postgrads / masters also, need to fall back on something if getting work doesnt happen.

Thanks,
Mr Y