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Dear Job Doctor,

How should I treat gaps in my CV?

How to address the gaps on your CV will really depend on the reason for them.

Some gaps may require more explanation than others. It is important that you do not ignore the gaps. Rightly or not, a potential employer may draw their own negative interpretation of the reasons for a gap if it’s not explained.

If the gap is just a matter of months, you may wish to consider giving the years of employment rather than the months. You may need to provide exact dates, but this is likely after you have been selected for interview and you will be in a better position to explain the gap. Do not be tempted to extend your dates of employment or education in order to fill the gaps, as a reference check will discover whether you have been dishonest.

Gaps due to a genuine career break or travelling can be viewed as positive if you have completed something fulfilling, such as taking further qualifications, cultural awareness or experiencing independence. Articulate this in a covering letter.

A gap in your CV may be due to not being able to find the right job opportunity. The longer the period the more challenging the perception is likely to be. An employer may find it easier to believe you have been lazy and have not applied much effort in your search for employment. However, due to the economic down turn it is now more common to find gaps on CVs, and employers have become more understanding and sympathetic to the reality that it has become increasingly difficult to find employment.

If you find yourself without employment it is important to consider alternative activities while you are searching for employment to keep your gaps to a minimum, such as voluntary work, e.g., every morning assisting a not-for-profit organisation, or completing training programmes or additional qualifications.

I commented in a previous column to try finding someone in your network who can present your details to a prospective employer on your behalf, as this “referee” is in a good position to help overcome any negative perception to gaps on your CV.

Darren Robinson is managing director of Badenoch & Clark Luxembourg, the largest staffing and recruitment firm in the Grand Duchy.

Have a question for the Job Doctor? Send an email to [email protected] with “Job Doctor” in the subject line. Your inquiry will be confidential: the Job Doctor will not be given your name, nor will it be published anywhere by Delano.