Should I Mention a Career Break in My Civil Service Personal Statement?
Explaining Caring Responsibilities and Career Gaps in a Civil Service Application
Hello,
I am applying for a Civil Service role after taking a career break for caring responsibilities.
The application asks for an employment history and a personal statement. I am unsure whether I should explain the career break in the personal statement or whether drawing attention to the gap could count against me at sift.
During the break I completed a certificate that is relevant to part of the role, but most of my strongest work examples are from before I stopped working.
Should I mention what I was doing during the gap, and how much space should I give it when the personal statement word limit is already tight?
Quick Answer
You do not usually need to spend valuable personal statement words apologising for a career break. Record the gap factually where the employment history requires it, then mention the certificate or caring-period experience only where it helps prove an essential criterion.
Read our guide to applying for a Civil Service job for the relevant process, checks and practical guidance.
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How I Would Present a Career Break Without Wasting Personal Statement Space
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Continue reading to see where I would record the gap, how I would use the relevant certificate and how I would keep the personal statement focused on the evidence that will be scored.
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