How to explain a gap in your resume

A gap raises a simple question: what happened, and are you ready now? A short, calm answer settles it.

Gaps happen for many reasons. New Zealand's careers service lists some. They include raising children, caring for family, travel, study, illness, redundancy and time in prison.

1. Briefly explain the gap, in one or two sentences.
2. Say what you did with the time, and what you gained: skills, study, volunteering, or simply getting well.
3. Show you're ready now, and why this job fits.

That's Tahatū's interview advice too. It says you don't need to give specific details, but you should be honest.

The National Careers Service suggests talking about the useful things you did while away. Its examples are retraining, volunteering, networking and keeping fit.

Lines you could adapt:

• "I spent a year caring for a family member. That's settled now, and I'm ready to work full-time."
• "I was made redundant in March. Since then I've finished a bookkeeping course and done some temp work."
• "I took time out for my health. I'm well now, and ready to start."
• "I travelled for a year, and worked on farms for four months of it."

Use the STAR method, as England's National Careers Service sets it out. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action and Result:

• Situation: where you were and what was going on, in a line or two.
• Task: what you had to do, or the problem to solve.
• Action: what you did, step by step. This is most of the answer, so say "I", not "we".
• Result: what changed, with a number if you can, and what you learned.

Aim for about 90 seconds out loud. Keep it short and to the point, and be ready for follow-up questions about it.

If you studied, volunteered or cared for someone, that can be your story. Keep the gap itself short, and the story about what you did.

The rules depend on the country, and sometimes the state. Some examples:

• England, Scotland and Wales: employers must not ask if you're married, have children or plan to. They can only ask about health or disability in limited cases, such as interview adjustments. The Equality Act 2010 behind these rules covers those three nations.
• US: federal law doesn't stop employers asking about time out of work. But they can't use it to discriminate on grounds such as race, sex, age or disability. Some states may add their own rules.
• US: employers generally can't ask disability questions before a conditional job offer.
• Victoria, Australia: Youth Central lists questions you don't have to answer, such as about disability, children or relationships.

In the UK, GOV.UK says applicants don't have to tell employers about spent convictions. Some jobs are exceptions, such as in schools.

In New Zealand, people who qualify for the Clean Slate scheme can say they have no convictions if asked. Some jobs are exceptions, such as police and prison roles.

If a conviction isn't spent or cleared under your local rules, answer honestly when asked. Tahatū says honest answers are best.

If you're unsure, check your government's employment or human rights site. If a question seems too personal, you can politely steer back. Say what matters: you're ready and able to do the job.

• Changing dates or job titles to hide the gap. Employers check, and it can cost you the job later.
• Saying too much. A sentence or two is enough.
• Apologising over and over.
• Sounding unsure whether you're ready.

Link what you did in the gap to the job. Tahatū gives an example: caring for others can build skills like empathy and resilience.

If the ad needs a skill you haven't used for a while, show how you've kept it fresh.

Here is a made-up answer from a parent returning to office work. The gap takes one line, and the rest is what she did and why she's ready.

Rosa is honest and brief about the gap. She chose to share a little about her family. You don't have to.

Written by Seal the Offer from these pages, last checked on 1 November 2026. Rules change, so check the employer's own page and the job ad before you apply.

• Returning to work after a gap · Tahatū, Tertiary Education Commission (NZ)
• Tips for interviews · Tahatū, Tertiary Education Commission (NZ)
• How to answer common interview questions · National Careers Service (England)
• Employers: preventing discrimination: Discrimination in recruitment · GOV.UK
• Equality Act 2010, section 217: Extent · legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives (UK)
• Pre-Employment Inquiries and Unemployed Status · US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
• Pre-Employment Inquiries and Disability · US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
• Dealing with inappropriate interview questions · Youth Central, Victorian Government (Australia)
• Clean Slate scheme · Ministry of Justice (NZ)
• The STAR method · National Careers Service (England)