How to address gap in employment on CV

[HipHopGirl]

Hi all

Just need some advice. Was in a long term job until 2015 when I was made redundant. Took up some volunteering in 2016 then unable to work until 2019 due to mental health difficulties. I managed to put things in place to get a job which I have been working in since.

How would you describe the lack of employment on the CV between 2016 and 2019?

TIA.

There are loads of people on here who earn ££££££ working in HR, so one of them will be along in a minute.

Until they arrive with better advice, I would suggest you put something like "2016-2019 - I did not work as I was unwell, now fully recovered"

I know someone who was in prison for 6 months and explained the gap in her employment record as "caring responsibilities." It was never questioned or even referred to. It may not be fair but it is far easier for a female to explain or cover a gap in her employment record than it is a man.

Personally I would never hint at mental health issues on a CV.

I've worked in HR and seen various reasons ...

Travelling

Career break to project manage purchase and renovation of property

Temping

Career break to project manage purchase and renovation of property

This is a brilliant one as it requires so many skills that are transferable into different roles. Watch a couple of episodes of Grand Designs so you can talk the job up, give examples, etc.

And if you don't own your own house then you took a career break to help buy and project manage the renovation of a family member's property!

Long term sickness/disability/medical treatment.

That's the honest answer. Lies, when found out, give any new employer justification to sack you.

You don't need to give them any details. If asked, I'd say "that's personal". Just say that you got a diagnosis then got treatment, yes it took the doctors a while.

Saying "its personal" comes across as evasive as if you have something to hide. No employer wants an employee who is likely to be long term sick, especially if it involves metal health issues.

This may not be fair but it is.

Interviewers are unlikely to probe further if you say "caring responsibilities".

Travelling is a good one provided you can talk up places you visited. Experiencing new cultures is always a good talking point.

For a short gap in your CV simply adjust dates of the relevant jobs on either side.

Why not tell the truth?

Volunteering.
Unwell, but now fully recovered.

Lying is never wise; if discovered you could find yourself out of a job.

Are you a mum? Do you have children? I'd never volunteer any extra info than I had to! I wouldn't imply health or MH problems, if I didn't have to.

For a short gap in your CV simply adjust dates of the relevant jobs on either side.

If you do this for jobs in regulated industries (eg finance) they will find out and they will sack you for lying.

There are loads of people on here who earn ££££££ working in HR, so one of them will be along in a minute

It’s not that well paid!

Caring responsibilities is good for a CV - you were caring for yourself after all - but if asked to complete a health questionnaire before starting work please be honest. You would have protection under the Equality Act 2010 but only if your employer knows about your underlying condition. If you’re worried about doing that, look for an employer who has signed up to Mindful Employer or Time to Talk-type schemes as they will have to have things in place to support employees with mental health issues.

Good luck OP.

Ask A Manager always gives the advice to be truthful, something like "time off for health issues which are now resolved".

"I was in the fortunate position to take a career break which allowed me to focus on various personal projects and spend time with family"

Do not adjust your dates. Do not say you were temping. Do not say you were traveling.

I leaned many years ago that people who are honest and truthful often get shat upon. Its the clever "tale tellers" who prosper. Been there, done it, got the t-shirt.

@TitsOot4Xmas it was a thread recently on what people earned, all the high earners seemed to be in HR.