There are so many reasons you might have a career gap on your CV. Perhaps you took an intentional break to go travelling, were made redundant and took time to find a new job or took a step back from your career to care for children or ageing parents.

Whatever the reason, career gaps and breaks are completely normal. In fact, research has found that as many as one-third of the UK workforce has a career gap of six months or more on their CV. We all know life comes with curveballs and very few careers are linear these days, yet many people still worry about how a career gap on a CV might look to prospective employers when applying for jobs.

You might be worried that hiring managers will see the gap as a red flag, an indicator that you weren’t hireable for a time, that you’ve lost momentum in the industry or aren’t laser-focused on your career.

However, Victoria McLean, CEO and founder of career consultancy City CV, says that career gaps aren’t as big a deal as we’re led to believe.

“Life doesn’t run in a straight line, and neither do careers. Hiring managers know this. What really matters isn’t the gap itself but how you position it,” says McLean. “Instead of worrying, focus on what you gained during that time and how it makes you a stronger candidate. Did you pick up new skills? Gain a fresh perspective? Strengthen your resilience? That’s what employers care about – not whether you took time out, but what you bring to the table now.”

McLean promises that the old-school stigma around career breaks is fading fast, especially post-pandemic. “Hiring managers care about whether you can do the role, make an impact and slot into their team. What they don’t care about is whether you took two years out for family. If you can confidently articulate your experience and demonstrate your value, that’s what will land you the job, not an uninterrupted timeline,” she says.

In fact, McLean argues that people who’ve taken a break from their careers could be more suitable for jobs. “Some of the most dynamic, well-rounded professionals out there have taken career breaks. The best employers look beyond the gaps to see the full picture. They want adaptable, resilient, commercially aware professionals, and those who’ve taken time out bring exactly that – often more so than someone who’s stayed in the same place for 20 years,” she says. “Today’s markets are dynamic and unpredictable and employers need people who can match that, people who’ve navigated change, adapted and come back stronger. After all, you don’t learn to steer by drifting in still water.”

If you do encounter a hiring manager who raises concerns about a gap on your CV in an interview, McLean says it’s usually because they’re looking for clarification. “Hiring managers don’t love uncertainty, and a gap on your CV can leave them wondering, ‘Are they still sharp? Have they kept up with industry trends? Will they need extra time to ramp up?’” she explains. “These are completely valid concerns, but easy to address. If you’ve stayed upskilled, networked or even done freelance or voluntary work, say so. Show them that your break wasn’t a step back, but a stepping stone to the next phase of your career.”

What you mustn’t do is try to cover it up. “Employers can spot a gap a mile off, and trying to hide it only raises unnecessary questions,” Mclean warns.

As it’s likely an interviewer might ask questions about a career gap on your CV, it’s best to have an answer prepared just in case.

“The key to explaining a career gap in an interview is to control the narrative,” says McLean. “Don’t get stuck justifying or over-explaining – most employers don’t care why you stepped away as much as they care about what you bring now.

“For example, instead of saying, ‘I wasn’t working because I took time out to travel,’ reframe it as, ‘I took time out to travel so that I could navigate new environments, learn from different cultures and push myself out of my comfort zone.’

“If you studied, consulted or volunteered, highlight what you gained: ‘During my break, I earned a project management certification, advised a startup on its growth strategy and volunteered as a mentor for young professionals. The experience gave me fresh insights, hands-on experience in different arenas and a more well-rounded perspective that I’m excited to bring to this role.’

“And if you simply took time to recharge? That’s fine too – burnout recovery makes you a smarter, more productive employee. The trick is to speak about your gap the way you want the employer to see it: as a valuable experience.”

Image: Getty