If you’ve been looking for a job for a while, chances are you are starting to build a sizeable gap on your CV. You may be treating your job search as a job in itself but that really can’t be added to your CV as an explanation of what you’ve been doing since you last worked or left college. Most employers will understand that in the current climate, it’s not always possible to move into a new job as soon as another one finishes. They will however be looking for evidence that any time ‘not working’ has been spent productively. So if you want to give them the right impression, here are 5 ways to fill gaps on your CV that should help.

Volunteering

Volunteering can be one of the most beneficial ways to spend your time when between jobs. Many charities and other organisations regularly post details on their web or social media sites of volunteering help that they require. There are also dedicated platforms outlining nationwide volunteering opportunities. If you undertake voluntary work, not only will you be helping an organisation, but you will also be developing your own skills further. Having your foot in the door so to speak can also mean that you stand a better chance when paid employment opportunities arise. Impress the right people when in a voluntary role and who knows what other career options it could lead to.

Temp or Contract Work

If you are only looking for permanent work opportunities, you could be missing out on many other roles which are available on a temporary or contract basis. Roles like these don’t necessarily have to form part of your long term career strategy, however they can still help to develop certain skills and strengthen your overall work experience. Register with recruitment agencies which deal with temporary work and you could find yourself back in employment fairly quickly.

Start Freelancing

Admittedly not everyone can start undertaking freelance work. However for those who can, it is an excellent way of finding employment on an interim or stop gap basis. IT, Marketing and Business Development are just a few of the sectors where freelancers can find opportunities. In terms of finding freelance jobs, there are a number of ways that this can be done – from registering your details on dedicated freelancing sites to updating your LinkedIn profile to highlight the fact that you are seeking freelance opportunities.

Become a self starter

If you have always had a desire to do your own thing, then why not take advantage of the time you have at your disposal to do just that. Start working on that big idea or exploring how you can make it a reality. Check out what enterprise resources and supports exist in your area for people looking to start a business.

Learn new Skills

Using any gaps in employment to learn new skills can be one of the most advantageous ways to spend your time. Check what courses are available in your local colleges – many will offer concessionary or discounted rates for people who are not currently employed, so it’s wise to take advantage of them while you can. You could also develop your skills using one of the many online learning platforms which exist. Learning new skills can certainly improve your overall employability and that surely can only be a good thing.

We hope that these suggestions on how to fill a gap on your CV help you with your job search. Got any others that you’d like to share? Why not let us know via the comments section below.