Create a Well-Crafted Unemployed CV & Get Back in the Workplace
No matter the reason, having a gap on your CV is something that must be explained. It is best to address the situation before any interview, and you can do that by creating a tailor-made CV. When writing a Unemployed CV, you can create a typical chronological resume and be honest about your unemployment. Alternatively, you can create a skills-based CV and hope to get a chance to address your lack of work in an interview.
Keep reading to learn more, and also to discover a useful free CV template.
What to Include in an Unemployed CV?
No matter what, be honest when addressing a gap in your CV. There is no shame in being made redundant as that situation seldom relates to an individual’s ability. However, there is also no need to go into detail about your unemployment, especially if you were fired from your last role.
Personal Profile
Provide a brief, high-level overview of you and your skills. Now is the best time to admit that you have been out of work for a while. A simple, “since I was made redundant in 2017” will suffice. If you haven’t worked for a year or more, include any information on upskilling or volunteer work you completed during that time.
Work Experience
The work experience section is precisely as it would be in a typical CV. Outline your key achievements and add your jobs in reverse chronological order.
Personal Skills
A combination of technical and ‘soft’ skills is crucial. As well as including information on skills you gained while employed, include any transferable skills gained during your period of unemployment. A simple example is to say that the process of registering your CV on job boards is a sign of your initiative that you will take with you into the role.
Educational Achievements
This section doesn’t change from a typical CV. Add in details of your academic qualifications in reverse chronological order. This is also the best section to add details of any professional qualifications earned, especially if you gained them while unemployed.
Hobbies and Interests
Usually, busy professionals don’t have room to include their interests, but this section could be your ace in the hole. Use details of your interests to showcase your enthusiasm for experiencing new things. It is also possible to use your interests to highlight ‘soft’ skills.
References
If you are long-term unemployed, inform your references of your situation.
How to Explain Gaps in Your CV
If you have been unemployed for less than a year, it may be a good idea not to mention it. After all, hiring managers understand the job market and realise that there will be the occasional gap. Once you have been unemployed for over a year; however, it is important to address the gap, or else it will come back and bite you.
Focus on the ‘How’
There are several reasons why you are currently unemployed. You could have been made redundant, got fired, or else you were fed up with your workplace. Regardless of the reason, focus on how you used your free time to improve your skills and grow your network.
Stay Busy
Don’t lie in bed the whole time! While a hiring manager may understand a gap, they will be less impressed if you can’t prove that you used your time wisely. Examples of useful activities include coaching a sports team, volunteering within your community, or gaining an online qualification.
Change CV Format if Necessary
It is usually best if the CV of a long-term unemployed candidate does NOT follow the typical chronological route. If you have been out of work for a long time but possess plenty of useful traits, create a skills-based or functional CV to accentuate your positives.
Recommended jobs for you
Download here the Unemployed CV Sample and write your own. Below is a transcript of the template.
Unemployed CV Example
Adam Jones
33 Lane Estate, Belfast
Email: ajones@email.com
Phone: 000-011-022
Personal Profile
A responsible and experienced IT graduate with experience in systems administration and web development. I have a range of IT skills, although several of them relate to web design. After being made redundant in 2017, I have sought new roles to no avail. During this period, I have upskilled by completing online courses, and I have also improved my skills and experiences. Now I am ready to go back into the workplace and believe the IT systems analyst role at Acme Limited is ideal for a candidate with my experience and skills.
Employment History
IT Systems Analyst – Workforce Inc.
(September 2012 – January 2017)
- Created and implemented SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) packages to help upload data from flat files and transform it into a different data structure.
- Used T-SQL to develop numerous reports for the company’s management team.
- Analysed the performance of data and made any necessary changes to speed up execution time.
- Developed systems that met the requirements of users by conducting system analysis along with database design. I was also tasked with translating the requirements of the business into technical requirements.
IT Systems Administrator – Electronics Limited
(August 2009 – September 2012)
- Installed numerous operating systems.
- Installed, configured, and monitored different software systems, solving any issues that arose.
- Managed the company’s servers, data lines, routers, and network switches.
Provided first-line support to a business with 600+ staff members.
Key Skills
I am fully versed in a select range of full-stack and front-end web development skills including:
- Python
- JavaScript
- PHP
- HTML
- jQuery
- CSS
In addition to the technical skills mentioned above, I also possess:
- Outstanding oral and written communication; a necessity when trying to explain complicated processes in layman’s terms.
- A genuine interest in how organisational processes work to help me grow and learn.
- A methodical and investigative mind; essential when trying to solve the myriad of problems that arise when managing a company’s IT systems.
- Teamworking skills – I worked as part of a team for dozens of projects.
- The ability to learn quickly, which means minimal training time.
Educational History
Queen’s University, Belfast
Bachelor’s Degree in Computing and IT at (2:1)
(2008 – 2012)
Belfast Secondary School
4 A-Levels: IT (A), English (A), Maths (B), Physics (B),
Online qualifications gained in CSS, HTML, and JavaScript.
References Are Available on Request
NIJobs.com has been helping people climb the career ladder since 2000. Our team is brimming with tips, guidance, ideas and inspiration, seeking to bring you closer to your dream job.