Returning to Work: How to Handle a Career Gap on Your CV

Taking a career break isn't a crime. But the way modern recruitment software treats an employment gap can certainly feel criminal.

Whether you took time out for maternity leave, a sabbatical, or a personal project, the biggest challenge you face isn’t a lack of ability. It’s an applicant tracking system (ATS) that doesn't understand context.

If you are returning to work, here is how you fix the execution of your CV to get past the bots and back into the boardroom.

The ATS Trap

Let’s apply some common sense to how recruitment software actually works.

If you put a career break in your standard chronological employment history, the ATS reads that break as your most recent job.

When the software scans your CV for a specific target job title and instead sees 'Career Break' or 'Maternity Leave' as your current status, it simply won't match. You run the risk of being automatically rejected before a human being has even glanced at your profile.

Create a 'Current Situation' Section

The solution is remarkably simple. You need to separate your career break from your employment history.

Create an entirely new section near the top of your CV called 'Current Situation'. This is where you outline your sabbatical, maternity leave, or time away. By doing this, your actual 'Employment History' section begins with your most recent professional role, ensuring the job titles align perfectly with what the recruiters are actually searching for.

Bridge the Gap with Consultancy

You shouldn't just leave your 'Current Situation' as a passive statement. Bring it back into the realms of professional experience.

Have you been managing a major house renovation? Have you completed any professional qualifications or an executive leadership programme? Put it in.

But if you really want to be clever about it, go out and secure a short-term consultancy assignment, even if it's for very little money. If you have been out of the market for two years looking after a newborn, spending just a few weeks doing some low-cost consulting changes the narrative entirely.

You can then legitimately write: January 2024 to Present – IT Strategy Consultant / Career Break. You can describe the consulting assignments you’ve delivered, making a brief mention of the sabbatical, and your CV instantly feels professional, active, and relevant again.

You Haven't Become a "Career Break"

Finally, let's talk about your profile summary at the very top of page one.

When people return to work, they often lose confidence and water down their value proposition. But you have not become a career break. You still are whatever you were before you took the time out.

If you are a software engineer, your CV must still boldly declare that you are a software engineer. Lead with a strong value proposition statement that outlines exactly what you do and how it creates value for an employer. Use a features and benefits style: don't just list what you are good at, explicitly state how your skills will directly benefit the organisation.

The bar for job seekers is incredibly high right now. But with a bit of sophistication and a solid business case, an employment gap doesn't have to be a deal-breaker.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is an applicant tracking system (ATS) and how does it handle career breaks? More than three quarters of employers use applicant tracking systems to screen candidates. If you put a career break in your employment history, the system may think that is your most recent job and fail to match your actual professional skills to the role you are applying for.

How should I structure a career gap on my CV? You should create a separate section entirely called 'Current Situation'. This sits outside your standard employment history and is where you can clearly list taking a break, a career sabbatical, or maternity leave.

How can I bridge an employment gap on my CV? Try to add anything work-related to your 'Current Situation' section, such as managing a house renovation, gaining qualifications, or doing a bit of consultancy work. You could even take on brief consultancy work for very little money just to bring your CV back into the realms of professional experience.

Should I change my professional title if I've been out of work? No, because you have not become a career break. You still are whatever you were before you took the time out, so you must lead with your original value proposition and job title.