So, you’ve got a little pause on your CV? Honestly, career gaps are way more common these days than people think. Maybe you took time out for family, cared for someone close, travelled, studied, relocated or spent a while job hunting in a tough market. Whatever the reason, it’s completely valid — no guilt required. The important thing now is how you talk about it.
So, let’s flip that career gap into something positive. First off, be upfront about it. There’s no need to tuck it away and hope nobody spots it. A simple, confident explanation goes a long way, like: “I took time out for full-time parenting and now I’m excited to return to my career,” or “After redundancy, I focused on upskilling and completed my CeMAP.” Keep it short, clear and confident. Trying to hide a gap tends to create more suspicion than the gap itself ever would.
Next, let’s talk about what you gained during that time. A break doesn’t mean you stopped learning. Perhaps you became super organised juggling family life, boosted your communication skills through volunteering, improved your attention to detail managing household finances or studying, or even built discipline and motivation through online courses. When you connect those experiences to the role you’re going for now, employers can clearly see how you’ll bring value.
If your gap is recent or has been a bit longer, just say what you did; what you learned and why now is absolutely the right time to step back into your career.
If the gap comes up in an interview, keep your explanation positive and focused on the future. Something as simple as: “During that time I had caring responsibilities, which really strengthened my resilience and time-management. I stayed engaged with the industry through online learning, and I’m fully ready to return and add value quickly,” shows confidence and commitment without over-explaining.
Most importantly — own your journey. Say it proudly. Your experience is unique, and that’s a strength. Employers aren’t expecting perfection; they’re looking for character, potential and someone who’s genuinely ready for the next step.
A career gap doesn’t define you. Your skills, your personality and your motivation are what truly count. And if you’d like a little support presenting your experience in the best light — that’s exactly what we’re here for. At Ultimate Banking, we help brilliant people across Building Societies, specialist lenders and financial services get into roles where they can really thrive. Whether you’re returning to work after a break or taking a new direction, we’ll help you feel confident, communicate your strengths and connect with employers who value you.
Career gaps happen. What comes next? That’s the exciting part.