How to explain gaps in your CV

Do not artificially hide periods of time

arbeit.swiss requires a complete and clear CV and recommends sticking to the truth when providing information. Therefore, do not change start or end dates, do not extend any employment, and do not invent further education to fill a gap.

Use the same level of detail throughout the CV. If you mention months and years, you should not suddenly switch to only years for a single position to make a period invisible. If the CV and work certificates do not match, avoidable confusion arises.

A short transitional phase does not necessarily require a detailed story. What is crucial is that the chronological sequence remains understandable and that you can provide a truthful answer if asked about it during a conversation.

Source: arbeit.swiss – Bewerbungstipps · arbeit.swiss – Wie bewerbe ich mich richtig?

Neutral terms for real interruptions

Choose a term that correctly describes the actual reason without disclosing more personal information than necessary. Possible examples are:

• 05.2025–12.2025 · Stellensuche und berufliche Neuorientierung
• 2023–2024 · Familienzeit
• 01.2022–08.2022 · Persönliche Auszeit
• 2021 · Sprachkurs Deutsch B2, [tatsächlicher Anbieter]
• 2020–2021 · Auslandsaufenthalt in [tatsächliches Land]
• 2019 · Betreuung eines Familienangehörigen

Source: arbeit.swiss – Wie bewerbe ich mich richtig?

Describe activities truthfully

Use “further education,” “language course,” “travel,” “volunteer work,” or “independent project” only with correct content and period. If an activity cannot be proven with an official document, you may still mention it as long as it is true; however, do not present it as a recognized degree or professional employment.

For family time or a personal break, a factual description is usually sufficient. The official application guide from arbeit.swiss explicitly recommends truth instead of a fabricated explanation and also mentions the possibility of openly categorizing a personal break in conversation.

Source: arbeit.swiss – Wie bewerbe ich mich richtig?

Representing unemployment and job searching

Unemployment can be neutrally referred to as 'job searching' or 'job searching and professional reorientation' if it corresponds to the actual period. You do not need to supplement the entry with rejections, financial information, or justification.

If you actually attended a course, worked temporarily, or carried out a project during this time, you can list this activity separately and correctly. A short-term job remains a short-term job; it is not renamed as a permanent professional role.

In the cover letter, the gap should not take up the main part. If it is important for the change or your current motivation, one or two positive, factual sentences are sufficient. The focus remains on your suitability for the specific position.

Source: arbeit.swiss – Bewerbungstipps · Kanton Zürich – Selbsteinschätzung für Stellensuchende

Health and private details

A diagnosis does not automatically belong in the CV. According to the information from the FDPIC, employers may only request information in the selection process that is relevant to the suitability and requirements of the specific position. Questions about existing illnesses are only permissible for special, job-related reasons.

You can therefore neutrally refer to a break as a 'personal break' and prepare a brief explanation. The crucial point is that you do not lie. Whether and which health details you disclose voluntarily should be a conscious decision.

Even for family time, caregiving, or other private reasons, you do not have to describe every personal detail. The Canton of Zurich advises giving an honest explanation but explicitly points out that not all details need to be disclosed.

Source: EDÖB – Daten im Auswahlverfahren · Kanton Zürich – Stellensuche und Bewerbung

Prepare an answer for the job interview

Stay calm and factual. Avoid blaming previous employers and lengthy defenses. Prepare the explanation in advance so that the time period, CV, and job references are consistent. The self-assessment of the Canton of Zurich explicitly mentions the ability to plausibly explain gaps as part of interview preparation.

1. Briefly state the period and reason

   «Von Mai bis Dezember 2025 war ich auf Stellensuche und habe mich beruflich neu orientiert.»

2. Only mention actual activities

   «In dieser Zeit habe ich [wirklich absolvierte Aktivität] durchgeführt.»

3. Transition to the current situation

   «Jetzt suche ich gezielt eine Funktion im Bereich [Bereich], in der ich meine Erfahrung mit [wahre Kompetenz] einsetzen kann.»

Source: Kanton Zürich – Stellensuche und Bewerbung · Kanton Zürich – Selbsteinschätzung für Stellensuchende

Checklist for a coherent CV

• All employment dates correspond with the actual periods.
• The date format is consistent throughout the CV.
• Interruptions have a true and neutral designation.
• Courses, projects, and assignments are not invented or enhanced.
• Sensitive personal information is only provided deliberately.
• The cover letter remains focused on the position and suitability.
• For longer interruptions, a short, honest conversational answer is prepared.
• Resume, work references, and explanation do not contradict each other.