What were you doing five years ago?
Hands up if you’ve had a career break. It’s how you tell the story that matters—on your CV, in your cover letter and when you sit down for that job interview.
Five years ago, I was spinning—trying to stay calm but pretty much freaking out.
COVID lockdown.
Essential services shut down. Work and schools went online. Borders closed. Toilet paper hoarding, banana bread baking, Zoom marathons—it was chaos.
Where were you when lockdown was announced?
I was in London, about to speak at a conference. The organiser kept insisting it was happening—until, with less than 24 hours’ notice, they pulled the plug. No refunds. No reimbursements. Just a mad scramble to get back to Zürich.
Short Memories, Long Consequences
Let’s rewind to January 2019. What would be the worst time to open a café? Exactly then.
Diana, after years in hospitality, poured her savings and heart into her dream café. Then came lockdowns. No customers. No business.
Now, job hunting, she’s asked: “Why did you stop your business?” She says COVID—and people get it. But you’d be surprised how often people forget to connect the dots when they skim your CV or cover letter in six seconds flat.
Same for Nigella. She set off travelling. Plans imploded. She came back, grabbed a short-term job to pay the bills, then resumed her adventure. Now recruiters call her a job hopper—until she says COVID, and suddenly, it’s clear.
Why a Career Break on a CV Still Raises Eyebrows
Present a CV, and many still expect a neat, straight line—especially in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. It’s unrealistic, but it’s true. Many hiring managers and recruiters have somehow forgotten the huge impact COVID had on the world of work.
Whether your employment gap came from a café dream derailed, an unexpected pause for family, or your own health or personal development, the moment you explain it well, the doubts disappear. We all face disruption, uncertainty and the need to regroup.
Own It: Turn a Career Break Into Valuable Experience
I’m often asked how to explain a career break on a CV or resume—be it parental leave, travel, study, volunteer work, or simply taking time for personal growth.
I’ve heard some pretty wild advice too. Like the recruiter who suggested people pretend they’re still employed a year after redundancy because “it looks better”.
I disagree. Strongly.
There is no shame in a break. It’s life—and modern careers. A career break can mean building transferable skills, focusing on family, recovering your health, exploring new career goals, or even doing freelance work.
Show it. Own it. Frame it. Highlight what you gained—new perspectives, professional growth, certifications, time management, resilience.
If you used that time to travel, volunteer, or pursue training, call out the relevant skills and valuable experiences you gained. These can be as powerful as any formal job description.
Designer Stefan Sagmeister makes a great case for creative time off—don’t miss 1:46 in this TED talk.
How to Present Your Career Break on a CV and Cover Letter
- Add it as part of your work history. Give it a clear timeframe and a one-liner that shows what you did: “Parental career break and relocation—focused on family, volunteer work and personal development.”
- Explain it in your cover letter. A quick line that connects the dots for potential employers shows honesty, confidence and makes you more memorable.
- Talk about it in your interview. Be upfront, clear and positive. Emphasise the skills and resilience you gained.
- Update your CV regularly. Include any professional development, training, or freelance work you did during that time. Show you stayed connected to the workforce and your career path.
More Than CVs: How Pipsy Supports Your Full Career Journey
Explaining a career break is just one part of feeling confident about your next step. At Pipsy, we support the whole journey—whether you’re redefining your career goals, switching industries, recovering from burnout or learning how to navigate interviews with ease.
We bring years of expertise in Swiss and international hiring norms, and we understand the realities of local job markets and multilingual workplaces. From CV reviews to interview coaching and career strategy, we help you connect your story to what employers really want.
Explore how we can help on our career counselling services page.
Ready to Give Your CV (and Confidence) a Fresh Start?
If you’re still wondering how to handle a career break on a CV—or how to make your cover letter and interview answers shine—start here: CPR for Your CV. It’s my free guide to resuscitate your CV and highlight your skills, experience and achievements with confidence.
When you’re ready, let’s chat. Together, we’ll shape your CV, refine your story and map out your next career move—no matter where you’re starting from.
Jane Piper is the founder of Pipsy and an experienced career transition coach. With a background in executive coaching and organisational psychology, she helps professionals take confident steps into their next career chapter.
Jane combines clear, practical advice with deep empathy and insight. Learn more about her here.
