Do you have employment gaps in your CV? Don’t worry. You aren’t alone! Many people take a career break to start a family, travel around the world, or simply to enjoy and rediscover themselves. Some others decide to take time out following a redundancy. Many people become anxious about jumping back onto the career ladder or worry that a lot would have changed while they were away, and their skills must be rusty. If you feel you’re in this situation, read on to know how to get a job, even if you have employment gaps. Instead of jumping straight back into whatever the first job that comes your way, take time to assess your situation first and decide what you want to do. What you did before your career break may not be the best job for you now.

1. Start by developing a personal profile
A personal profile or a personal statement is a small paragraph that concisely describes who you are, what are your skills and strengths relevant to the job role. Write your personal profile at the top of your CV. While the cover letter is long, the personal profile is shorter, just 4-5 sentences. Aim for anywhere between 50-150 words. Write the personal profile right under your name and contact info, just before the employment and education section. Through a personal profile, you sell your best personality traits, experiences, and skills to the potential employer. During your career break, you would have acquired some experiences, developed new skills, or uncovered strengths. Outline those and then chalk up the ones that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. Highlight these newly acquired experiences, strengths and skills in your personal statement.

2. Create a strong functional CV
A Functional CV format is designed to demonstrate your skill set and prior achievements at other previously held jobs. It doesn’t follow the chronological CV format, that is well used amongst job seekers. The functional CV doesn’t show the time you’ve spent at a job. It is typically used by job seekers who either have employment gaps or change jobs very often.

Here are some ways you can re-design your CV if you have employment gaps:
1. Show your employment tenure as years
If you have been in a job role for over a year, instead of writing the tenure in month-year format, write it simply as years. For example, if you were a sales associate from May 2015 to August 2018 and then began your next job as sales manager from November 2018, you can write it as:
Sales Manager 2018-Present
Sales Associate 2015-2018

2. Not just ‘paid employment’ counts towards the experience
One of the most common mistakes by job seekers is that they aren’t confident of what qualifies as work. Most people think only if you are getting paid for doing a task/activity, it qualifies as ‘work.’ However, that’s not the case nowadays. If you did anything that helped you develop some skills that might be useful for your new position, show it in your CV. Include all types of experiences and skills gained during the employment gap. It could be anything – volunteering, freelancing, consulting, traveling, skills training, or passion project. All those counts as work and can be included in your CV. Recruiters/hiring managers want to know more about you – what you did when you did it and how that helped you grow as a person and as a professional.

3. Explaining your employment gaps at the interview
Explaining a gap in employment during an interview can be tricky. The best approach is to address it in a direct and straightforward manner.

Be honest: Honesty is the best policy. Whatever your reason for taking a break from employment, be honest about it. There is no need to go into too many details, but lying about your reasons makes the hiring manager question your integrity. It is okay to be discrete. Don’t extend your period of employment to cover up the gaps. All employers conduct background checks to verify your employment history. They would know it sooner or later.

Be prepared: Prepare a simple, honest, and straightforward explanation of why there is/are employment gaps. Keep your response short and pertinent, and be comfortable answering any follow-up question from the interviewer. If you have prepared an explanation in advance, you won’t be caught off guard. After you have explained your reasons for the break, the next important thing is to make it clear to the interviewer that the reason for your time off has been resolved and you are fully committed to your career again. Also, do spend some time researching about the company, industry, and latest trends. This will demonstrate your passion for the career.
Show enthusiasm: Exude enthusiasm for returning to work and make a very strong case for why your target job would be exciting for you and an excellent fit.

Remember, it is not unusual to have employment gaps. The only thing that pulls you down is if you are unable to explain the gaps. Employers want to see two main things: relevant skills for the job and your enthusiasm to re-enter the workforce. So, be honest and show you are ready. That way, you’ll have nothing to worry about.

I don't know

Damnnn niggarrrr
Isoright

Too tired to read a lengthy epistle. I'd check back later when the elders has provided their own contribution on this topic

Wow

The country needs to be sane in all ramifications first before things like this become effective

How long is the minimum employment gap?

Good write up

It doesn't work

Trust me

Hmmm

Brb

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Well written Op.

While you are searching for jobs you can also acquire valuable skills. I know about content creation if you can create texts, audio or video. You can hone the skills to survive..

I am not surprised this article doesn't have a lot of viewers. It tells more about interest and priority

This only works in organised societies.
All this protocol don't mean sheet in Nigeria

maureensylvia:
It doesn't work

Trust me

You may have a negating experience but you don't have the overall stats to conclude that it doesn't work.

That said, the main challenge someone with an employment gap may have in Nigeria will be the large number of qualified applicants due to scarcity of jobs. If the advertised position is already oversubscribed for, the employer really don't have any reason to give the fellow with an employment gap a chance. But I'm sure such folks still get jobs thou.

Hmmm

Not bad

Thank you so much

So wat of we way no get experience nko

Gaps closed once you get the job

Una stilltheyfind job fornaija

Well some employers like packaged lie,, once you tell the truth they see you as unqualified and weak. But do whatsoever you feel is right an works for you. This is a good piece thanks

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kjhova:


You may have a negating experience but you don't have the overall stats to conclude that it doesn't work.

That said, the main challenge someone with an employment gap may have in Nigeria will be the large number of qualified applicants due to scarcity of jobs. If the advertised position is already oversubscribed for, the employer really don't have any reason to give the fellow with an employment gap a chance. But I'm sure such folks still get jobs thou.

Well understood

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[quote author=ReventifyCV post=104883595]Do you have employment gaps in your CV? Don’t worry.

Spot on.. Very helpful.

You can read our article on how to get a job without work experience. Every career person was once had no experience.

rowland545:
So wat of we way no get experience nko

.

There are two parts, 6 months or less is the most ideal. Any gap above 6 months,you have to provide evidence of what probably kept you away for so long, but if its less than 6 months, a mere explanation would do.

GoodBoi1:
How long is the minimum employment gap?

ReventifyCV:
You can read our article on how to get a job without work experience. Every career person was once had no experience.

can I have d link