How to Address Employment Gaps on Your CV in

The Power of Long-Term Relationships in Recruitment

One of our core values at Sharp Consultancy is Relationships, and recently I was reminded exactly why that matters. We recently won a competitive recruitment tender with a key client across the region. Whilst our experience and market knowledge played a huge part, I genuinely believe the deciding factor was something much harder to replicate – trust. I've known the senior finance leader for several years before there was ever a recruitment project to discuss. During that time, we've met regularly for coffee, shared market insights, talked about the finance landscape and discussed the challenges businesses were facing. Most of these conversations didn't lead to a recruitment assignment, and that was never the point. For me, relationship building isn't about waiting for someone to have a vacancy, it's about being present, staying relevant and adding value over time. Sometimes that's sharing insight into the market, offering a different perspective on a hiring challenge or simply taking the time to understand what's happening in someone's business. These conversations build credibility long before there's a commercial opportunity. So, when the recruitment opportunity came around, I wasn't introducing myself or trying to prove we understood the business in a single meeting. We've already built that understanding over years of honest conversations and consistent support. We knew what was important to them, the challenges they faced and how they wanted to approach recruitment. Winning the work was a fantastic result, but more importantly, it reinforced what I believe great recruitment is all about. The best recruitment partnerships aren't built when a role becomes live, they're built in the months and years beforehand. Trust develops through consistency, honesty and a genuine interest in helping people succeed, not through one conversation or one successful placement. That's why Relationship is one of our values at Sharp Consultancy. Because when trust comes first, opportunities tend to follow. The piece of recruitment may have been the outcome, but the relationship was the foundation that made it possible.

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In today’s competitive accountancy and finance job market, it’s important to remember that almost every professional will experience an employment gap at some point in their career.

A man and woman sit at a table, reviewing notes on a clipboard, engaged in a focused discussion.

A break between roles is not automatically a red flag for a prospective employer — in fact, when explained clearly, it can often reflect positively on you as a candidate.

That said, it’s never advisable to disguise or “stretch” dates on your CV to hide a gap. Hiring managers, particularly in finance, are adept at spotting inconsistencies. If your timeline doesn’t add up, it may raise more questions than it answers, and you could risk undermining trust before you even reach the interview stage.

Equally, leaving a gap unexplained can cause concern. Employers don’t want to be left guessing, so a professional, concise, and honest explanation will always work in your favour.

Common Reasons for Career Gaps — and How to Frame Them

1. Redundancy
In the current economic climate, redundancies are affecting talented finance professionals at all levels, from Assistant Accountants to Finance Directors. If you’ve been made redundant, highlight how you’ve used your time productively — for example, undertaking professional development such as ACCA/CIMA modules, gaining new software skills (e.g., Sage, SAP, or Power BI), or applying your expertise in a voluntary or consultancy capacity.

2. Parental or Caring Responsibilities
Time taken for maternity or paternity leave, or to care for a family member, is common and typically requires minimal detail. Simply outline the period in question and, where relevant, mention how you kept your skills up to date, perhaps through part-time study, bookkeeping, or staying engaged with industry updates.

3. Travel or Career Breaks

Two hikers with backpacks stand on a cliff, gazing at a serene lake surrounded by lush greenery.

Many finance professionals take time out for travel, relocation, or personal projects. Unless there are multiple breaks after short stints in employment, most employers will view this positively — especially if you can link your experiences to transferable skills such as independence, organisation, adaptability, and problem-solving.

4. Health-Related Gaps
If illness or injury kept you out of the workplace for an extended period, you don’t need to go into detail on your CV. Instead, focus on reassuring potential employers that you are fully ready and motivated to return to work, particularly if the break was recent.

5. Sensitive Situations
If your departure from a role was due to performance issues, restructuring, or other challenging circumstances, be prepared to explain this briefly and professionally if asked at interview. On your CV, keep it simple and emphasise how you’ve used the time since then to upskill and refocus your career.

Why Honesty Matters in Finance Recruitment

In accountancy and finance, integrity and accuracy are non-negotiable qualities. Employers expect candidates to demonstrate these traits from the outset — and your CV is your first opportunity to do so. Addressing employment gaps openly and confidently not only shows professionalism but also reinforces the trust that is essential in finance roles.

Partnering with Experts in Your Job Search

At Sharp Consultancy, we specialise in connecting temporary, interim, and permanent finance and accountancy professionals with leading employers across Yorkshire and beyond. From newly qualified accountants to senior finance leaders, we offer expert advice to help you present your CV in the best possible light — including how to address career gaps without undermining your application.

With offices in Leeds and Sheffield and decades of experience recruiting for roles such as Management Accountant, Financial Controller, Finance Business Partner, and CFO, our consultants have the market insight and connections to help you secure your next opportunity.

Contact us today to discuss your career goals and take the next step towards your next accountancy or finance role.