5 Tips - What to do with my gap in my CV?

Having gaps in your CV is like being on a leaky boat out at sea. They can sink the ship if you don't fill them on time and appropriately. Do you have one or more gaps in your CV and now you're worried that it means the end of your career before it has even really started? 

Don't panic on the Titanic. With the following 5 tips you'll be able to fill the gaps in CV and keep your career ship from sinking.

Tip #1 - Choose a strategy for dealing with gaps in your CV!

You have two ways to deal with gaps in your CV:

1. You can fill the gap with credible facts. But always remember: The truth will come out
2. You are honest and find an understandable reason for the gap in your CV. 

Good reasons for gaps in your CV that are not actually gaps can be found in Tip #2. 

Tip #2 - Fill the gap in your CV with good reasons!

Nobody is perfect! How can life be planned for? It happens! These gaps in your CV can therefore only be understood if they were unexpected and unplanned. Here you will find example reasons of gaps in a CV, which also provide an understandable reason that puts the gap in the CV into perspective. 

Change of study as a gap in your CV

Did you start to study something before realising it was the wrong course or even that studying itself is not for you and you prefer to do an apprenticeship? Did the application deadlines or the date for the start of the semester in the new degree programme create a gap in your CV that lasts longer than two months?

No problem! This gap is understandable for recruiters! It is better to change your mind again and choose the right course of study according to your professional strengths than to remain unhappy or overwhelmed in a particular field! It only becomes difficult when you change your course of study every 2-3 semesters, which shows a lack of orientation and gives the recruiter the impression that you have no stamina.

But you can also use this gap for yourself and your CV, for example, by taking a university course, undertaking volunteer work or travel.

The Covid pandemic as a gap in your CV

Searching for a job during the Covid pandemic has been a special challenge because there have been far fewer job offers. This quickly creates a gap in your CV. Every recruiter can understand this gap in your CV and it is not a bad thing! We are in the same boat and Covid affected the entire world. These gaps in your CV caused by the Covid pandemic can also be used for your benefit, e.g. by attending online courses as further education for your profession.

Even unemployment as a result of the Covid pandemic is not a personal failure and will not be chalked up in your further career! Stay optimistic and keep applying!

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Further education, retraining as a gap filler in your CV

You never stop learning! That's why continuing education, further education, retraining and other university courses are super gap fillers in your CV when life turns out to be completely different from what you originally thought! Use the time for yourself and your skills and no recruiter will chalk up the gaps in your CV as a negative!

Travel abroad as a gap in the curriculum vitae

• Travel abroad is not only a gap filler, but can even enhance your CV! That's why it's always a good idea to travel abroad, e.g. during a gap year or for a longer backpacking trip.

Social commitment as a gap in your CV

The same applies for social engagement as for travel! It not only fills the gap in your CV, but even enhances it and shows the recruiter that you are a social and committed person, which is a very important professional strength and may even set you apart other applicants.

Application phase / career entry as a gap in your CV

An application phase can sometimes be longer than expected, and no one knows that as well as recruiters. Therefore be honest and stand by it. This is especially true if you are looking for an entry-level job because career starters have a longer period of grace of up to half a year.

The important thing is that you don't just sit at home and do nothing before getting back to work! Use the time for yourself again and find out which job and which company suits you and your professional strengths. 

Starting a family, parental leave, raising children as a gap in your CV

Have you become a mum or a dad? Fantastic! First of all, congratulations! Of course, children need special attention especially in the early years and it is a precious time that you can only spend with your children once! That's why it's one of the most fulfilling gaps in your CV!

Every recruiter should have understanding for this, and if he doesn't, then this raises the question of whether this company, which is obviously not child- and family-friendly, is the right company for you.

Tip #3 - Hiding the gaps in your CV is a no-go!

Do not underestimate the recruiter and try to hide the gap in your CV! Recruiters know all the tricks and will find your application out straight away! 

Usual tricks:

• Inaccurate dates e.g. only the year is stated and not the month. A familiar trick, and the recruiter will go over your CV with an even finer toothcomb!
• Selling a longer break as a language trip. Your lie will be revealed by simply asking for the certificate! 
• Using an experience profile instead of career path - Also, giving an experience profile instead of a chronological career is an indicator for the recruiter that you want to cover up a gap in your CV!

Tip #4 - Comment on the gap in your CV!

Actively address the gap in your CV in the cover letter, for example, but at the latest in the application interview. Pretending that there is none where there obviously is shows lack of courage and openness. It could give the impression that you are deliberately trying to hide this gap and that makes a bad impression. 

So rather go on the offensive than defensive!

Tip #5 - It all comes down to how you sell your gap!

You have a gap in your CV that you cannot necessarily justify by the reasons mentioned in tip #2 or others such as illness or caring for a relative. Stand up and say that you have taken some time out for yourself to recharge your batteries and gain some interpersonal experience. 

In any case, sell your time out as adding value to your personality and definitely don't tell people that you were just chilling on the sofa, even if it might be true! Nowadays character traits, so-called soft skills, are especially important for recruiters, which you can also acquire or expand by taking time off.

What counts as a gap in your CV?

As a general rule, anything longer than two months and is not justified will be considered a gap in your CV. 

Gaps in your CV are times when you did not do an internship, did not do vocational training, did not study and did not do further training, did not pursue permanent employment and did not gain work experience to add to your CV! 

A long trip, volunteer work or an orientation phase (max. 2 months), for example, are nevertheless not considered a real gap in your CV and are not bad because any recruiter can understand why these were taken.

What might be the cause of a gap in your CV?

According to the definition of what counts as a gap in your CV, there are somany reasons that could be behind it! Below you will find a rough overview of possible causes of a gap in your CV in the form of a list: 

• Travel abroad (longer than 2 months)
• Change of degree 
• Gap year
• Job lost as a result of dismissal - Jobseeker
• Career change
• Social volunteering
• Parental leave, raising children
• At entry level of career 
• Illness 
• Caring for a relative 
• Time out to find yourself 

What are the possible consequences of gaps in your CV?

Every recruiter is trained to detect gaps in the CV and to question them. This is because gaps in your CV raise questions for the recruiter, such as what did the applicant do, was he dismissed, did he not feel like working or were there family or illness-related reasons?

Gaps in your CV give the recruiter doubts about your quality and suitability and lead him to speculate. This is bad because your CV loses its meaningfulness, credibility and authenticity. These attributes are automatically transferred to you as a person and can therefore lead to the application being set aside straight away. So follow our 5 tips from the beginning to avoid being chucked out right at the beginning of your application process. 

Are you a student or graduate and are looking for a job even with a gap in your CV? Then take a look at our JobTeaser job app! Here you will find the perfect job for you!

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