A gap in your CV is not a dealbreaker — how you explain it is what matters to NZ employers.
How should you address gaps in your CV?
Address gaps briefly and honestly, either in your CV or cover letter. A short, factual line — such as "career break for family care" or "personal health, now fully resolved" — is far better than leaving a recruiter to guess. Employers are more understanding than most job seekers expect, as long as you own the gap rather than hide it.
When does a CV gap actually become a problem?
A gap becomes a concern when it is unexplained and long. A few months between roles rarely raises an eyebrow. A longer gap with no context can prompt questions at interview. The fix is the same regardless of length: give a one-line reason and, where possible, mention anything you did during that time — study, volunteering, freelance work, caregiving, or upskilling.
What to actually write in your CV
You do not need to detail every week of a gap. These approaches work well in the NZ job market:
- List the gap period as a short entry: "2024–2025 — Career break (parental leave)"
- Mention any courses, certifications, or volunteer work you completed during the gap
- If you freelanced or did contract work, list it as a role with the relevant skills
- Keep the tone matter-of-fact — apologetic language draws more attention to the gap
- In your cover letter, address it in one sentence and move on to why you are the right person for this role
- For health-related gaps, you are not obligated to disclose details — "personal circumstances, fully resolved" is sufficient
- Tailor the explanation to the job: if your gap involved skills relevant to the role, mention them
How to handle gap questions in the interview
If an interviewer asks about a gap, use the same principle: be brief, be honest, then redirect to what you bring to the role. A one or two sentence explanation followed by "since then I have..." keeps the conversation moving forward. Practising this answer out loud before the interview makes it feel natural rather than rehearsed.
Under the Employment Relations Act, an employer cannot discriminate based on personal or family circumstances. If a gap relates to parental leave or caregiving, you are protected. For more detail on your rights, see Employment New Zealand.
Source: Employment agreements — Employment New Zealand
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to explain every gap in my CV?
No. You only need to account for gaps that a recruiter would notice — generally anything beyond a short break between roles. Brief gaps are normal and rarely questioned in NZ.
Should I mention a gap in my cover letter or wait for the interview?
A brief mention in your cover letter is usually better. It shows self-awareness and stops the gap from being the first question you face. Keep it to one sentence and focus the rest of the letter on your strengths.
What if I was made redundant — is that a gap?
Redundancy is not a gap in the usual sense. List your end date with the employer and note "position made redundant" in brackets. NZ employers understand redundancy well and it carries no stigma.
Can an employer refuse to hire me because of a gap?
An employer can ask about gaps, but they cannot discriminate based on protected grounds such as family status or health. If you believe you were declined unfairly, Employment New Zealand has guidance on personal grievances.
Source: Personal grievances — Employment New Zealand
What if my gap involved something I would rather not disclose?
You are not obligated to share personal details. "A period of personal circumstances, now resolved" is a complete and acceptable answer. Focus the conversation on your readiness and enthusiasm for the role.
Before you apply, make sure your CV is working as hard as it can. Run it through the free CV Score tool at FindMeAJob — you'll get a score out of 100 and specific fixes you can make today.