by P Reddy

Created on: September 26, 2010   Last Updated: September 27, 2010

There are lots of reasons why you may have employment gaps in your CV.  You may have taken time off for illness, travel or even laid off or fired.  Regardless of what your reasons are you will need to explain the gaps to potential employers.

If You Have Been Overseas

This is a simple one to explain as many employers appreciate when people take time off to travel.  They like their staff to be knowledgeable about the world and taking a year or two off to travel makes you appear adventurous.  However, make sure that you tell your employer that you have gotten the travel bug out of your system and you are now here to stay.

If You Have Been Ill

If you have an illness that you are comfortable talking about tell your employers why you were off.  If you do not want to tell them what illness you had simply say you had to take some time off due to poor health.  Let them know that you are now better and looking after yourself.  The important thing in this circumstance is to assure the employer that you are healthy and ready to work.  They do not want to hire someone who takes a lot of sick leave.

If You Have Been Fired

Try to avoid talking about this if you can.  If you have to disclose it make sure that you tell them what happened honestly and that you have learned your lesson about whatever it is that you did to get fired.

If You Have Been Laid Off

With the state of the current economy this is a common situation.  Explain your circumstances to your potential employer.  If you have been out of a job for a while tell them you have been holding out for a job similar to the one you lost.

Unexplainable Gaps

Sometimes people will have gaps in their CV for no good reason.  You may have taken a couple of years off working to stay home and play video games or something similar.  While it is not good to lie in this situation it is also not good to tell the truth.  Try to find something meaningful from your time off.  For example if you were studying tell the employer that you were a student or a personal circumstance that meant you could not work for a short while.  Telling them the truth will mean that you will not get the job in this case.

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