Updating CV - how to explain a 6-7 month gap?

[Veritypens]

Hi

I'm mid 50s, up until this blip I'd worked solidly since leaving school, haven't been a job hopper.

I left my last role (business admin) at the end of April. I was only there for 2 years, lovely colleagues but awful manager, something I'd never experienced before. Got made redundant during Covid, panicked and made the mistake of taking the first job that came along.

Anyway, since leaving I've basically just faffed about - no idea why - and have pretty much used up my savings and need to get cracking with my job search. I feel silly asking but I don't know how to word the the 6-7 month gap on my CV?

Would appreciate any advice, please?

Leave months off altogether.
2021-2023 business admin, X company.

Just say you took a few months off to spend time doing [whatever you did]. At 50ish, taking some time for yourself to travel, renovate your house, spend time with your parents etc. is unlikely to be judged harshly.

Yeah, "career break" then if it asks you to expand say caring responsibilities, travel opportunity, learning sabbatical....anything will fly at your age just whatever is closest to the truth!

I openly said that the pandemic and people I lost to it made me reflect on the life I was leading including my job, so I saved money to be able to take time off to re assess what I was doing and how I wanted to live the later part of my life.
Then I mentioned that after few months reading, studying and learning more about myself I came to understand that the (enter whatever position you are applying here) was one that I would really really enjoy doing because x,y and z (your strengths and experience).

I did that for interviews but for my colleagues, in an informal way, I just said that I was coming back to work after taking some time off having a marvellous mid life crisis.

It worked, they laughed at that with me and said they wish they were so brave to do the same 🙂

Best of luck!

Thanks for the replies folks, I suspect I've been overthinking this, an annoying habit of mine.

@MeMySonAnd1 that made me chuckle!

I wouldn't say anything, but if pressed, career gap/sabbatical

Sabbatical. You had planned it a while ago and the timing seemed right and you're fresh, ready and looking forward to work again!

It's fine to just say you were having a break between jobs. And that you were then waiting for the right job rather than rushing into one - this also tells the recruiter you are really keen on the one you are applying for.

Don’t worry about it OP and don’t be embarrassed, 7months off is nothing.

I wouldn’t go into it at all. I don’t think you need to say anything.

Then if asked at an interview, If it were me I would say ‘I decided to have a short break ‘ and then I might describe some of the things I did, which could include house decorating, generally enjoying myself, spending time with family, etc’

You have a long working life. Don’t worry about it. If an employer sees a long work history like yours and worries about you taking a few months off at your age, maybe they have their priorities wrong.