Generations of workers have worried that employment gaps in their career may be perceived in a negative light — particularly women who have been out of the workplace while bringing up children.
Some employers may still take a dim view of career gaps. A 2022 LinkedIn survey found that a fifth would reject candidates who had taken one.
However, while job applicants may be tempted to stretch the dates on their CV to gloss over any gaps, the risk of being found out is probably not worth it.
How should new entrants to the financial advice sector address such gaps and how much detail should they share with prospective employers?
Personal growth and skills
In general, employers have become more accepting of career gaps, particularly since the pandemic. Post-Covid, more firms are taking on board issues such as staff wellbeing and work-life balance. They are more understanding of employees having their own life and personal circumstances that can impact their professional life.
That said, career breaks still need careful handling.
If you’ve taken a career break, you need to put a positive spin on what you did and how you did it
Recruitment experts say job applicants should highlight the skills they have developed during their time away from paid employment.
“Common ones include communication, teamwork, leadership, innovation, and planning and organising,” says Dr George Sik, director of assessment and chartered psychologist at Eras, a psychometric testing consultancy.
“Think about things you did that might demonstrate evidence of these, and also about how you will explain their relevance to working life. This should emphasise your suitability when you are interviewed, or on your CV.”
Career gaps can also be used “to add colour” to a job application, according to Katherine Jackson, senior partner at Page Executive.
“You may have been travelling, or taken extended time off for caring responsibilities. You may have felt burned out or just needed some headspace to help you change the direction of your career,” she says.
Mention how those experiences enhanced your problem-solving abilities and emotional intelligence
“All of these are valid reasons that, when explained in an honest and open way, can demonstrate values, behaviour and ambitions in a way that traditional career paths often can’t.”
Whatever a job applicant has been doing during a career gap, Sophie Bryan, founder at HR consultancy Ordinarily Different, suggests linking the skills learned during those experiences to the requirements of financial planning.
“Clients value advisers who understand diverse backgrounds,” she says.
TopCV careers expert Amanda Augustine points out that unpaid work completed during a career break, such as leading a committee, charity work or an internship, should be mentioned on a CV.
The last thing you want to do is get caught in a lie during the interviewer’s follow-up questions or a background check
“Remember, you don’t need to receive a pay cheque for your work in order to include it in your CV’s employment history section,” she says.
Honesty
There are certain career gaps new entrants to advice could feel uncomfortable discussing with prospective employers.
For example, they may be reluctant to speak about physical or mental health in case this puts them off. Or they may have clashed with a previous employer and finding a new job has taken longer than expected.
Professionals recommend being truthful — but within your own boundaries. In Augustine’s view, honesty with tact is the best policy.
Valid reasons, when explained honestly, can demonstrate values, behaviour and ambitions in a way that traditional career paths often can’t
“A TopCV study found lying during an interview was the surest way to get dismissed,” she says.
“The last thing you want to do is get caught in a lie during the interviewer’s follow-up questions or a background check.”
St James’s Place Financial Adviser Academy senior manager Gee Foottit points out that, if the circumstances that led to a career break — such as poor health — mean more support is required, employers will want to know.
“They need to know if there are any accessibility issues, what this entails day to day and whether any adjustments are required,” she says.
However, this does not mean going into lots of detail about your personal life.
Clients value advisers who understand diverse backgrounds
“Keep your answers brief, stick to the facts and avoid letting your emotions get the better of you,” says Augustine.
“Share any necessary information that communicates the essence of why you took time off and, if it is a personal matter, indicating this to the interviewer will move them off the topic.”
Resilience and solutions
If a career break is the result of personal challenges, such as health issues or caring responsibilities, Bryan suggests focusing on the resilience and perspective this has given you.
“You might mention how those experiences enhanced your problem-solving abilities and emotional intelligence — staying professional while avoiding too much detail,” she says.
You don’t need to receive a pay cheque for your work in order to include it in your CV’s employment history section
It can also help to present solutions if, for example, ongoing caring responsibilities or health issues mean you will need to take time off in the future.
“You can pledge to make up the time if you need to take time off for health appointments,” says Victoria Harris, chief financial officer at The Curve, a financial education platform for women.
She adds it may also help to talk to others who have returned to the workplace after a career break.
“If you’ve taken a career break, you need to put a positive spin on what you did and how you did it.”
This article featured in the October 2024 edition of Money Marketing.
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