How to Address Gaps in Your CV Effectively

Most people have some kind of career gap, and these gaps will probably happen more frequently. Why? Due to rising life expectancies, many people are left with little choice but to temporarily stop working. A larger number of non-linear career trajectories and, thus, more gaps in resumes are predicted by this trend. However, how can you address any such gaps with an interviewer in a way that makes you look good to potential employers rather than turning them off? Although there are many reasons why a CV could contain gaps, our trusted Resume Writing Services Abu Dhabi listed some of the most typical ones below, along with some sample responses you could use.

7 Common Gaps in a CV

1. Health Issues

• You don’t have to give specifics about the illness.
• What new skills have you acquired? For example, have you kept up with industry news and trends or helped in the community?
• Suggest why you believe the position you applied for is suitable while demonstrating that you are prepared to resume work.
• Example response: “A reoccurring medical condition made me feel I couldn’t continue in my previous position. But now that my health has fully recovered, I feel prepared to assume this responsibility. I get to apply my current abilities, align with my beliefs, and have the chance to make a meaningful contribution every day in this role.”

Also Read: How to Write a Curriculum Vitae in 2024 | Essential Tips for Writing a Cover Letter

2. Family Care

• Once more, you don’t need to discuss the specifics of the condition or your caregiving responsibilities.
• Let them know that you have more care support available or that the relative is now fully recovered.
• Resume Writing Services in UAE recommends telling them why this role fascinates you and that you are prepared to return to the workplace.
• An example response would be, “I had to take care of a family member and leave my previous post. For the past year, I have been doing this. I’ve since started looking for a job again because my siblings and I hired a full-time caregiver. I was hoping to expand my team leadership abilities in a forward-thinking organization, and this position seemed like a perfect fit.”

3. Redundancy

• Briefly explain why your prior position was dismissed, such as because of budget cuts or restructuring.
• Give some instances of your excellent work or accomplishments from your previous position.
• Give further detail about your time away from the workplace and why you believe the position you applied for is a suitable fit.
• Example response: “My position was eliminated due to a series of financial cuts that my former employer had to make. On the other hand, I’m pleased with my accomplishments from my prior position as a Sales Manager. I’ve used my time off from work to carefully consider what I’m looking for in my future position and to stay abreast of any changes that may have occurred in the field. I was especially drawn to this position since I’m looking for a chance to expand my current skill set, lead a team, and significantly advance the company.”

4. Responsibility as a New Parent

• Tell them you took a break to prioritise your family and take care of your newborn baby.
• Consider your reasons for feeling prepared to return to work and your areas of excitement.
• Explain why you believe you are a good fit for this position.
• Example response: “After leaving my previous role, I had to prioritise my family and raising my young son because I recently became a mother. I’m now prepared to return to work, seize my next big opportunity, and advance both personally and professionally.” For professional assistance, seek advice from experts offering Resume Writing in UAE.

5. Continuous Learning

• Describe your motivations for returning to school, including the particular abilities you hoped to acquire and the certification you planned to obtain.
• Stress that you are committed to your own growth and that you believe your abilities would be useful in this position.
• Example response: “I decided to go back to school in an effort to upskill and future-proof my career after realising I had a skills gap. After completing the course, I’ve been searching for a new job where I can apply my newly acquired talents. I felt this job would be a wonderful fit for me and that I could contribute a lot of experience and value.”

Avail the Best Resume Writing Services Abu Dhabi

Keep in mind that having gaps on your resume is not a sign of weakness. You shouldn’t feel obligated to hide or minimise any gaps in your career from an interviewer. Therefore, if an interviewer asks you about any gaps in your resume, be sure to respond honestly and confidently. You should also include specific instances of how you have used your free time outside of work and, most importantly, the reasons you are excited about the position you are looking for. To address your employment gaps properly, seek expert assistance from Resume Writing Services Abu Dhabi, such as CVWriting.ae.

Also Read: How to Create an ATS-Friendly CV in 2024 | How to Write a Resume with No Experience

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs:

1. I am based overseas in a different time zone. Can you still write my CV?

Yes, we are used to dealing with people from all over the world and in different time zones. The only need is that you be able to communicate in and comprehend spoken English.

2. In what format do I get the CV, and how do I edit it?

Every CV is created in Microsoft Word format, which is the format that recruiters, job sites, and companies want. This implies that you won’t have to pay us any extra money to edit your CV yourself and make any changes you need to in the future.

3. My current CV is around 5 pages long. Is that acceptable?

No, it is unlikely that the reader would read your full CV; you have just thirty to forty seconds to catch their interest. Using our Online Resume company in Abu Dhabi, most of our CVs are two pages long; in rare cases, three pages may be included for extremely extensive occupations.