University of the Western Cape

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How to explain gaps in your CV:

Some job seekers are faced with a difficult moral dilemma: How do you "hide" that 4 year gap on your CV when you were in prison, rehab, unemployed, travelling, family commitments, etc. There are lots of reasons why people go without a job for a long time.

Most, if not all, companies do background checks on candidates these days. If you are caught for being dishonest on your CV the company will not hire you. If you are working through an employment agency it is critical that you are honest with them. They can only assist you if they know what your unique situation is. As specialists in this area they will also be able to offer you the best advice.

The best will be to be honest on your CV as well as in any interviews you might be called for. Always show how you have "used" a negative situation to you own advantage. Here are some examples:

Time in prison:

Spending time in prison will be very traumatic. Be clear on what your mistake was and explain how and what you have learned from the experience. If you studied while in prison or were trained in a new skill then you have to mention it. This will assist in showing that you weren't just sitting around doing nothing. Show how you've prepared yourself for life after prison. Be very clear that you will not engage in illegal activities again.

Retrenched:

Explain what happened at the company that resulted in your retrenchment. Do not get bitter and sarcastic (remember: you are selling yourself here!) but rather use the opportunity to show what you gained out of this experience and how this would benefit any future employers.

Dismissal:

Briefly explain the circumstances around your dismissal and show how you have grown due to this experience.

Travelling:

So you decided to take two years off and see the world. It looked like a lot of fun at the time and you really enjoyed yourself overseas. Well, now you are sitting in an interview and it might just look like that you have no skills to show for the two year "holiday". Again, turn this to your advantage: Did you learn any languages while overseas? Studied anything? You can use the many different cultures you encountered to show how you've gained valuable people skills and experience in terms of diversity .

Extended sick leave:

We all get ill from time to time. However, sometimes people get so ill that they cannot work for a year or two. Are there advantages to being seriously ill? Probably not. But you can talk about everything you've learned from the experience, how it made you a stronger person, the friends you made at the hospital, how it brought your family closer and how you discovered strength you never knew you had.

Started your own business (and failed):

Lots of people resign their jobs and start their own business. This is quite a risk with something like 80% of all businesses failing in the first five years. However, it shows entrepreneurial skills, a spirit for adventure as well as the ability to handle change. Point this out in the interview and show how these skills will be an asset for the new employer.

Look at your unique situation and find the benefits and advantages. If you battle then speak to some friends and ask them for advice. The point is: Always show what you've gained or learned from any situation.