Top Tip for Candidates: How to Talk About Gaps in Your CV
It’s Wednesday, 6th August 2025, and with the summer holidays in full swing, many job seekers are brushing up their CVs before the September hiring surge. If you're feeling nervous about how to explain a gap in your employment history, don’t worry—today’s Top Tip for Candidates has you covered.
Gaps happen. Whether you took time out to raise a family, care for someone, travel, study, recover from illness, or just re-evaluate your direction—it doesn’t have to be a red flag. Employers are more understanding than ever, especially when you approach the subject with confidence and clarity.
Here’s how to handle it like a pro.
Be Honest, But Keep It Focused
You don’t need to write a novel explaining your time off. Be truthful, but keep it brief and professional. A short sentence or two is plenty: “I took time out to care for a relative, and I’m now fully committed to returning to full-time work.” The key is to address it and move on—don’t leave a blank that makes employers guess.
Show What You Gained or Maintained
Even if you weren’t employed, chances are you developed skills or stayed active in some way. Volunteering, online courses, freelance work, parenting, or managing a household can all demonstrate transferable skills like time management, problem-solving, or communication. Show them you didn’t stop growing—even if you stepped away from formal employment.
Avoid Apologising for the Gap
This is really important. Having a gap doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Don’t apologise or downplay your experience—own it. A confident tone in your CV and interview shows resilience and maturity. Employers want to hire capable people, not perfect ones.
Prepare a Calm, Clear Answer for Interviews
If the gap comes up in conversation, have a short, well-prepared response ready to go. Rehearse it if needed. Keep it positive, tie it back to your readiness to return, and move on to why you’re right for the role. Most interviewers will appreciate your honesty and get straight back to the job at hand.
Need Help Framing Your CV or Gap Story?
At Howard James Recruitment, we support candidates through every part of the journey—including how to present employment gaps with confidence. We’ll help you frame your story so it showcases your strengths and gets you interview-ready.
Landing your dream job starts with the right guidance. Whether you need help refining your CV, preparing for interviews, or navigating your job search, we’re here to help.
Book a free 30-minute consultation with our expert recruiters and get personalised advice to accelerate your career.
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