How to turn gaps into strength

Dusseldorf Applicants often tend to cover up gaps in their professional résumé. They fear that prolonged unemployment, parental leave or even a sabbatical could harm them when applying. A common misconception.

On the one hand, in view of demographic change and the shortage of skilled workers, employers in many industries can no longer allow themselves to sort out an otherwise professionally qualified candidate only because of gaps.

On the other hand, a gap in the CV actually says very little about the personal suitability of an applicant. At least this is the conclusion reached by Uwe Kanning, professor of business psychology at the Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, who has been researching personnel selection for around 20 years: “Neither the degree of conscientiousness or motivation to achieve nor determination – as measurable factors for an applicant’s professional success – can be made out of such gaps derive. “