In today’s job market, career journeys aren’t always linear. Whether due to redundancy, personal commitments or simply taking time to re-evaluate, employment gaps on your CV are more common than ever, especially in technical fields like software engineering, hardware design or life sciences.
But here’s the good news - with the right approach, a gap in your employment history doesn’t have to hold you back. In fact, it can be turned into a compelling part of your story showcasing your adaptability, resilience and growth.
At Platform Recruitment, we specialise in helping candidates across tech, engineering and STEM industries. If you are looking for your next opportunity, view our live jobs here!
What Is an Employment Gap?
An employment gap is any significant period of time (typically 6 months or more) during which you were not in formal employment related to your profession. Whether it was planned or unexpected, addressing these periods professionally and positively on your CV is key to maintaining momentum in your job search.
Step 1: Identify Gaps in Your CV
Start by reviewing your CV chronologically:
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List your roles in order, with start and end dates
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Spot any time gaps between jobs
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Log any productive activities you did during these breaks such as freelancing, volunteering or upskilling
This process helps you prepare for employer questions and ensures you're not caught off guard in interviews.
Step 2: How to Address Gaps on Your CV
1. Be Honest - But Keep It Positive
There’s no need to overshare. A short, factual explanation is enough.
Examples:
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“Took time out to care for a family member.”
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“Travelled internationally to gain life experience and broaden cultural understanding.”
2. Emphasise What You Gained or Achieved
Employers value proactivity. If you were productive during the gap, highlight it.
Examples:
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“Volunteered for a STEM charity, gaining project coordination experience.”
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“Completed freelance software development projects using Python and JavaScript.”
3. Consider a Skills-Based CV Format
A functional CV lets you highlight key skills over strict timelines. This is ideal if you’ve had multiple short-term roles or extended breaks.
Structure it like:
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Technical Skills & Tools: e.g. Python, CAD, MATLAB, AWS
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Project Highlights: Outline projects across employment or freelance work
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Certifications & Training: Industry-specific courses or online learning
4. Be Ready to Talk About It
Employment gaps often come up in interviews. Prepare a confident, positive explanation that focuses on growth.
Example: “During a career break to recover from illness, I stayed engaged by completing a data science course. I'm now ready to apply these skills in a new role.”
5. Show That You’ve Kept Learning
Whether it’s a short online course or a full qualification, ongoing development shows employers that you’re serious about your career.
Example:
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“Completed a QA certification course to stay updated with current testing methodologies.”
Turning Employment Gaps into Strengths
Remember, gaps don’t define your value. The tech and engineering job market is full of people who’ve taken non-traditional routes to success. Employers today care about problem-solving, innovation and cultural fit just as much as having a flawless career timeline.
In fact, demonstrating self-awareness and growth through challenging periods can make your application even stronger.
Let Platform Recruitment Support Your Job Search
At Platform Recruitment, we specialise in helping candidates across tech, engineering and STEM industries showcase their full potential gaps and all.
With over 12 years of experience and a growing presence in North London and Cambridge, our consultants know what hiring managers are really looking for and how to get your CV noticed.
We’re currently recruiting for a range of roles across:
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Software Development
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DevOps & Cloud Infrastructure
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Mechanical Engineering
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Hardware & Electronics
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Life Sciences & MedTech
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Data Science & AI
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Manufacturing & QA
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…as well as key support, operations and leadership positions, which you can view: here
Whether you're re-entering the workforce, switching industries or looking for your next big move, we're here to help you every step of the way.
Get in touch today to see how we can support your next career step, no matter where you’re starting from.
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