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name: returner-cv description: "Write a CV for someone returning to work after a career break (caring, health, parenting, travel, redundancy or anything else), presenting the gap honestly and briefly and leading with current, relevant evidence. Use when asked how do I explain a gap on my CV, write my CV after a career break, returning to work after maternity or caring, or my CV has a two-year gap. Produces a CV with the break stated in one plain line, recent evidence brought forward, a short spoken answer for interviews, and a list of returnship programmes and refreshers worth checking." version: 1.0.0

Returner CV

A gap on a CV does less damage than an awkward attempt to hide it. Screeners notice missing years; a plain one-line explanation answers the question and lets them move on. This skill states the break briefly, brings recent and relevant evidence forward, and prepares the person to talk about it without apology.

Part of the pm-cv bundle.

What This Skill Produces

• The CV with the break shown in one plain line
• Recent evidence brought forward: courses, volunteering, freelance work, skills kept current during or after the break
• An interview answer: three or four sentences about the break, written to be said aloud
• Returner routes: types of returnship and refresher programmes to look for

Required Inputs

Ask for these if not provided:

• The break: dates, and only as much of the reason as the person wants to share
• The experience before it
• Anything during or since: study, volunteering, freelance, caring responsibilities that built skills, if the person wants them mentioned
• The target role and country

Framework

1. The person decides how much to say. A reason is never required. "Career break, 2022 to 2024" is enough. "Career break for family caring responsibilities" is fine if they choose it.
2. Show it in the timeline, as a one-line entry with dates. Do not stretch other roles' dates to cover it.
3. Bring recent evidence forward: a short "Recent development" section above experience if the person has done courses or projects.
4. Lead with the strongest past achievements, which are still true.
5. Prepare the spoken answer: what the break was, in one line; what was kept current; why now; what they bring.

Protected information: health, pregnancy, disability and similar details are the person's choice to share. In many countries employers may not ask about them.

Output Format

Returner CV: [name], [target role]

1. The CV 2. The break line, and two alternatives with more or less detail 3. Interview answer (to be said aloud, under 40 seconds) 4. Returner routes to look for in the person's country and field

Quality Checks

• The break appears with honest dates
• No other role's dates were stretched to cover it
• The reason, if any, is exactly what the person chose to share
• The interview answer contains no apology

Anti-Patterns

• Hiding the gap with year-only dates or a functional CV. It invites the question.
• Over-explaining. A paragraph about the break draws more attention than a line.
• Apologising on paper or in the answer.
• Sharing health or family details the person did not choose to share.

Example Trigger Phrases

• "I took two years off to care for my mother. How do I show that on my CV?"
• "Help me write my CV after maternity leave."
• "My CV has a gap since my redundancy. What do I say?"
• "Write my CV for a returnship programme."