There is one interview question that strikes fear into the heart of even the most experienced candidate: why is there a gap in your CV? No matter who you are, the thought of answering that question is enough to get your knees knocking.
Admittedly, gaps in your CV can lead to employers overlooking you. There are any number of reasons why those gaps may be there – redundancy, ill health, family reasons – or maybe you went travelling to widen your experience of the world. Whatever the reason, you need to be prepared to answer questions about those gaps.
The key is to be honest and upfront about why you were out of work during that time. Lying, or bluffing your way past it in the hope you’ll sound better isn’t the way to do things; if anything, a HR manager who spots you looking a little flustered will see right through you. Would you want to hire someone who lied during interview? Explain the circumstances clearly and concisely – no matter what the reason, honesty is always the best policy.
It’s also important to do your research before your interview, especially if you’ve been unemployed for a while. Show off your knowledge of both the company and the industry as a whole; that way, the interviewer knows that you’re still up to date with what’s happening even if you haven’t been working for a while. Candidates who know what’s going on and keep up with the latest industry news always, always make a good impression.
So what if the gap on your CV means you’re struggling to even make it to the interview stage? Try and plug them a little – voluntary work always looks good. Or take a course – this shows you are ambitious and looking to improve your skills.
Add the skills you picked up while you were unemployed to your CV. After all, offices and classrooms aren’t the only learning spaces in the world; travelling, raising children, caring for a relative – these are all transferable skills that may be relevant to you in your potential new role.
Gaps in your CV aren’t the be-all and end-all of finding a job; many recruiters will take only your merit into account. If your CV has a few holes, you may need to work a little harder to stand out, but put in the time and effort and it will pay off in spades.