A gap in your work history isn't a problem in itself. Lots of people take time out to bring up children, look after someone, get well, study, travel or find the right job. What makes a gap awkward is leaving it unexplained. This guide shows how to put a gap on a UK CV in one honest line, what to say for each common reason, and what to leave for the interview.
The short answer
- Give the gap its own dated line in your work history, in the same format as your jobs: a short label and the dates. For example, "Career break: caring for a family member, Apr 2022 – Present".
- Keep the reason short. The National Careers Service (England) says to be open and honest, and to share only what you feel comfortable talking about. You don't have to give health details.
- Add anything you did in that time that an employer would care about: a course, volunteering, freelance or temporary work.
- Don't stretch your job dates to cover it. It's likely to come out at the reference check.
- Leave the longer story for the cover letter or the interview.
Why a dated line beats a silent gap
A missing year shows up as soon as someone reads your dates. The recruitment firm Michael Page warns that a CV full of unexplained breaks is a warning sign to hiring managers. One dated line answers the question before it's asked, and it shows you're not hiding anything.
It also keeps your dates honest. Michael Page points out that if you cover a gap by extending the months you worked somewhere, you'll probably be found out when the employer checks your references. A short, true label is safer and reads better.
What to write, by reason
There's no official form of words. These are plain labels in the spirit of the National Careers Service's advice. Pick one, add the dates, and add a bullet or two only if they help.
Bringing up children. "Career break: raising a family". The National Careers Service gives it as an example of a career break. Michael Page suggests that, if it's true, you say you're now ready to go back to work, for example because your children are in full-time school or childcare. That line can go in your profile at the top or in the cover letter.
Caring for someone. "Career break: caring for a family member". You don't need to say who or why.
Health, disability or mental health. The National Careers Service says to share only what you feel comfortable talking about: you don't need to share everything. "Career break" on its own is enough on the CV. If you'd like to say more, the interview is the place, and only if you want to.
Redundancy. The National Careers Service says to describe the business decision to make your role redundant, rather than you as a person. On the CV, the job's end date and a short line under that job is enough, for example "Role made redundant when the branch closed". Then label any time looking for work after it.
Looking for work. "Job seeking" with the dates is honest and common. Add anything you did in the meantime: a course, volunteering, temporary or agency work.
Study, a course or training. Put it in your education section with the dates, or label the gap "Study: [course name]".
Travel. "Travel" with the dates. If you worked or volunteered while away, add a line about it.
Dismissal. The National Careers Service says it's better to talk about a dismissal at interview than on the application. Show the job and its dates as normal. If you're asked, explain briefly what happened, what you learned and what you've done since.
A conviction or time in prison. GOV.UK says whether you need to tell an employer depends on whether they ask, when you got the conviction or caution, what sentence you got, and the type of criminal record check the job needs. It explains the rules and lets you check when a conviction or caution becomes spent: see Check if you need to tell someone about your criminal record. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different rules. The National Careers Service points to the charity Nacro for advice on telling employers.
Worked example
This is a made-up example, not a real person.
Before, the work history jumps from 2019 to now with nothing in between:
Office Administrator, Hillside Lettings, Jan 2014 – Jun 2019 (nothing after this)
After, the gap has its own line, and the useful things done in it are listed:
Career break: raising a family, Jul 2019 – Present
- Volunteer on the school reading scheme, two mornings a week since Sep 2024
- Completed an online course in Excel, 2025
Office Administrator, Hillside Lettings, Jan 2014 – Jun 2019
- Ran the diary and tenancy paperwork for a team of six
The profile at the top can then say what you want next, in a line: "Office administrator returning to work after a career break, looking for a part-time role in property or admin."
Nothing here is new information. It's the same history, said plainly, with the dates lined up.
Where else to explain it
- Cover letter. Michael Page suggests explaining a break in your covering letter, so it doesn't turn into an awkward question at interview. One or two sentences is enough.
- Interview. The National Careers Service says employers can ask for more detail at interview, so be ready to say what you did and why you're ready now. Focus on the skills you gained, if any.
- Application forms. Some forms ask for your full work history. Use the same labels and dates as your CV so the two match.
FAQ
Do I have to say why I wasn't working? No. Your CV is your own summary, and you choose what goes on it. The National Careers Service's advice is to be open and honest, but to share only what you're comfortable with. "Career break" is a complete answer on the page.
How long does a gap have to be before I mention it? There's no official rule. A few weeks between jobs usually doesn't need a line. Months usually do, because they show up when someone reads your dates. If your dates are years only, a whole missing year is noticeable.
Should I use years only to hide a gap? Don't use years-only dates to hide a gap. If an employer asks for months, give the real months.
I'm still on my break. What goes in the end date? "Present", the same as a current job.
Should a career break go first on my CV? In reverse date order, yes: if it's the most recent thing, it goes at the top of your work history. If you'd rather lead with your skills, a short profile at the top can do that.
Sources (checked 14 Nov 2026)
- National Careers Service (England): Explain a gap in your employment
- National Careers Service (England): CV sections
- Michael Page: How to explain gaps in employment on your CV
- GOV.UK: Check if you need to tell someone about your criminal record
This isn't careers or legal advice. Check the National Careers Service (England) or a careers adviser for your situation.
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