Gaps In Your CV? How To Get Around Them…

There are many reasons you might have gaps on your CV, but it's important to present and explain any gaps in a positive and productive way in order to avoid ruining your chances of securing an interview. To employers, candidates with employment gaps can appear risky, but here are Flame Health's tips to navigate any tricky areas and hopefully present yourself in the best possible light...

• Periods of unemployment - employers should be aware how tough it can be for job seekers at the moment and will hopefully be forgiving towards periods of unemployment, but it is still important to show how you used the time effectively - did you learn something new? Did you do some volunteering? Or attend an industry event? If not - what skills have you developed during your job hunt?

• Lack of experience - maybe you're changing careers and lack experience in your new sector, or you are new to the job market - in this case you need to make the most of what you've got. Give examples of how your current experience or skills are transferable to the industry you hope to go into. Extend your networks online and offline in the industry and take any experience opportunities to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the industry

• Reasons for leaving - the reason for leaving a job doesn't need to be disclosed on your CV, but you need to be prepared to talk about it at interview stage - try to talk about it in terms of what you learned from the experience. Think of some positives that you gained from your time in that role, or skills you developed, and emphasise these. What lessons have you learned that will benefit you in your next role and that a future employer would see as valuable? Avoid any negativity about past employers!

Flame Health can help you with all aspects of the recruitment process, if you work within the following sectors, contact us today:
Optometry, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Veterinary, Care, GP, Nursing, Cosmetic Surgery,Pharma
Freephone on 0800 085 0858 or if calling from a mobile on 01158 114488 alternatively email [email protected]
For more CV tips, you can also visit: http://careers.theguardian.com/careers-blog