CV Gap Question

Daftendirekt

Hey all.

I've been out of work for over a year now and am struggling to find anything else. So I'm doing myself up a shiny new CV and I'm going to start spreading that round and see if I have any more luck with it.

What's the correct way to deal with an employment gap on your CV? I've been keeping myself busy, so I'm happy enough that I can explain it if necessary, but would I be better off waiting until asked or should I put it in writing before then?

Otis Driftwood

Were you made redundant from your last job?

If so then I wouldnt stress too much tbh.You and 400,000 other people have gaps in their CV and Id be confident every employer out there will know that.

Best of luck with the job hunting btw.

Daftendirekt

Yeah, I was.

Thanks for that. That's kind of what I figured. Guess I'll just crack on and hope for the best so!

Wishbone Ash

In the current climate it would be normal and acceptable. During the 'boom' it would have been different. The length of any unemployment is also relative to the lenght of time the applicant is in the workforce. A candidate who has been unemployed for 10 years out of a potential 20 years in the workplace would certainly be viewed differently from one who has been unemployed for 1 of 2 years.

mikemac

Sure it was very common for people to leave their jobs and head off to Australia or SE Asia and do the whole backpacking thing

I'm not talking about emigrating, just traveling

It still goes on but not as much
Once you can explain the gap and you didn't spend your redundancy money at home in a drunken haze you'll be fine

Employers understand

jeckle

I would just put something like 'Actively seeking employment following redundancy' or 'Actively seeking employment' next to the dates. At least you will have no unexplained gaps on your CV. If an employer has any further questions they will ask.

Eoin

Don't worry too much about the CV itself, I interviewed a couple of people in a similar position and it wasn't a factor.

But when it comes to the interview stage, make sure you have a story for what you were doing while off work. Don't give the impression you were sat on your arse.

Daftendirekt

Thanks for all the replies. Certainly helped put my mind at ease a bit!