How to explain a gap in your CV

Gaps are normal. Most recruiters only worry about the ones that are not explained. One honest line is usually all it takes.

Do you need to explain it?

A gap of a few weeks or a couple of months between jobs rarely needs a mention. Anything over about three months is worth a short line so the recruiter is not left guessing.

How to show it on your CV

Treat it like any other entry in your work history: a heading, the dates and one line. Keep it positive and factual. You do not have to share private details.

Example wording

Caring for someone

Career break, Mar 2023 – Jan 2024: full-time carer for a family member. Now fully available for work.

Illness or health

Career break, 2022 – 2023: time out for health reasons, now fully recovered.

Raising children

Career break, 2019 – 2024: raising my children. Volunteered as school PTA treasurer, managing a £6,000 budget.

Redundancy

Jun – Nov 2025: seeking work after redundancy. Completed a Level 3 AAT qualification.

Travel

Travelling, 2024: six months across South America, including four months volunteering at an English school in Peru.

Study or retraining

Retraining, 2025: full-time Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installation.

Show what you did in the gap

If you took a course, volunteered, looked after a household budget, freelanced or kept a skill up, say so. It turns a gap into evidence of motivation.

In the interview

Have one or two calm sentences ready: why you took the break, what you did during it and why you are ready now. Then move the conversation on to what you can do for them.