CV / Interview Question - nearly a year off work

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

I was made redundant last September after over 20 years at my last job. I have worked since then through choice and I was wondering how to explain that on my CV. Should I just put sabbatical on the CV? How would I explain it if I was asked in an interview?

The reasons are I was so stressed in my last job I couldn't face anything else and I wanted to spend time with DH as he's older than me and we'll never have a retirement when we can do things together. Obviously I don't want to make it sound as though I can't cope and spending time with DH isn't an employer's business so I'm not sure what to say!

Thanks in advance for any advice. I've had one interview in the last 23 years and my confidence is shot after my last job so this is new territory for me!

Add a section that’s says Career break and then a brief sentence to explain further e.g took a break to refurbish house, spend time with family etc. it’s perfectly acceptable to have taken a break, lots of people do but you need to mention it so people don’t make assumptions.

Just say you took a sabbatical for a year ... they won't care!

I don’t think that after 20 years in one job any employer will bat an eyelid at a one year career break, it often takes people one year to find a new job in this market anyway. Just say you took the opportunity to take some time out to spend with family following the redundancy and you’re now eager to get back to work - no need to explain further. Definitely don’t mention being stressed in your last job as a reason.

My husband has recently had similar, he just put a section in his CV, at the top of his employment history:

Career break : X month - present
Reason: Redundancy and planned break

He used it as an opportunity to show that he has had time to refocus, and that he is ready to bring renewed energy, perspective, and experience to an exciting new chapter. (He wrote some blurb about that in a small paragraph beneath).

I think the ‘planned break’ bit also emphasised the fact he hasn’t been unemployed for that long through an inability to secure a new job, but because he decided to take the time.

I think deep down a lot of us would take some time if we’d had a decent enough redundancy pay, so I certainly wouldn’t judge.

Good luck in your job search @PinkSparklyPussyCat
x

Thanks for your replies and help. I definitely won't mention being stressed! The stress was one of the reasons I needed the time out as I'd got to the stage I was crying most days (wfh in case anyone thinks I was balling my eyes out in the office!) and I needed to get myself sorted out.

It sounds like you've been through a really big transition after 20+ years in the same organisation, so it's completely understandable that interviews feel daunting again.

The good news is that a career break after redundancy doesn't have to be a negative on your CV. The key is how you frame it — focusing on what you did, what you learned, and why you're now ready for your next opportunity.

I've spent over 10 years in recruitment and talent, supporting hiring decisions and interviewing candidates, so I've seen lots of different ways people explain career breaks and transitions. I also help professionals rebuild confidence with CVs and interview preparation.

If you'd like, feel free to message me and I'd be happy to share some thoughts on how I would approach explaining the gap and preparing for interviews.

I was made redundant after 19 years in a job. I was looking for work, but not very hard. I was mostly having sex with a new boyfriend, though I don't tend to mention that. I did spend 3 months doing a training course, but mostly I was doing crafty stuff, things in the garden, catching up with friends post-covid, things like that.

I don't really mention it on my CV, just put the date of jobs and the training course. I'm now 2 jobs in, but I was out of work for 16 months. If asked, I say I was jobhunting and interviewing, gardening, and so on.

Loved not working, but it wasn't financially sustainable for longer - I'd have had to cancel non-essential direct debits etc, if I'd not got a job when I did.

It does mean I'm not really worried about retirement. I don't think I'll be one of those people who doesn't know what to do with their time.

Planned break to travel. Career break to focus on refurbishing house. Anything bland will do