How to explain disability-related gaps on your CV

When completing a CV or application form, exactly the same principles apply for disabled applicants as they do for those without a disability. However, if you’re applying for a role and you’re disabled, you may have to explain some aspects of your application relating to your disability, such as a gap in your education, lower academics or a lack of work experience.

If you’re prepared to be open from the beginning, employers will take mitigating circumstances relating to your disability into consideration.

Plus, you’ll be able to access support and adjustments to the recruitment process to help you showcase your true potential in an interview or an assessment centre setting.

In this article, we’ll cover:

• How to explain a gap in your education on your CV
• How to explain lower academics on your CV
• How to explain the lack of work experience on your CV
• Top tips for explaining gaps on your CV

If you have a disability or long-term health condition, you may have taken time out of education. When applying for jobs, it’s important to account for them.

By being open about this gap and explaining how you’ve developed your learning outside the classroom, recruiters won’t have to guess what you’ve been up to. Your commitment to continuing your education outside the classroom shows you’re resilient and eager to succeed – traits recruiters look for in candidates.

Give them a short explanation of what happened and focus on the strategies you used to overcome the challenges you faced.

Here’s a good example of how to do this:

“During my second term at university, I lost 50% of my vision in a short period of time. Obviously, this was a very stressful time for me, and I decided to take some time out whilst my condition continued to change and I adapted to my new situation before returning to my studies. During the two years I took out, as well as intense medical treatment, I also worked part-time at a small law firm. My confidence returned during this time and I felt ready to return to university to start a new course in 2011. Not only have I participated fully in university life, but I have also achieved academically, as my exam results show.”

• CVs: You can explain gaps in your education wherever they appear in the chronological order of your CV. Alternatively, you can include an additional paragraph at the beginning or end of your CV.
• Application forms: You can include gaps in your education wherever they appear in the chronological order of your work history or in dedicated mitigating circumstances sections.
• Cover letters: If you decide to explain gaps in your education in your cover letter, keep it brief.

Employers understand that having a disability or a long-term health condition may have prevented you from meeting certain educational criteria, such as graduating with a 2:1 or achieving high marks in a module, etc. Because of this, they will take these circumstances into account during the application review process.

However, if you aren’t open with the employer about it, you may be filtered out of the application process early. By telling them about your disability, you allow them to assess your skills fairly.

Please know that you don’t have to go into the details of your disability. Instead, focus on the facts and ask the employer to consider your achievements in the context of your disability.

Here’s a good example of how to do this:

“For several years, I have experienced anxiety and panic attacks when under severe stress. I experienced anxiety attacks during the exams for (Module) and (Module), resulting in a lower mark for these modules. Since I did not fail, I was ineligible to re-sit these exams. I trust that (Company) will consider this when reviewing my application.”

• CVs: You could include a paragraph at the beginning or end of your CV explaining how your disability impacted your academics. Alternatively, you could provide a brief explanation directly next to the specific grade or grades that were affected
• Application forms: Most application forms will give you space to explain any mitigating circumstances to make sure the process is fair
• Cover letters: If you let an employer know about a lower grade, you can ask them to take your mitigating circumstances into account in your cover letter

It’s a good idea to speak to your personal tutor about your mitigating circumstances during your time at university. Being open with them means tutors can take your disability into account when they mark your exams.

Please be aware that an employer may ask for your permission to talk to your tutor. They may ask if your tutor thinks you meet the academic standard set for filtering applications.

Holding down a job shows you are proactive, reliable, trustworthy and hardworking, and employers will look for evidence of this in your application. However, they also understand that it can be harder for those with a disability or long-term health condition to get work experience.

But don’t worry – as long as you can demonstrate these qualities differently, employers will still consider your application. If you haven’t worked before, it’s natural for an employer to wonder if you’re up for the job. If you have work experience, it’ll be much easier for you to reassure the employer.

Think about all the experiences you’ve had. Remember that work experience can be related to the role you’re applying for, but it can also be unrelated. It could be paid or voluntary work, challenging or menial – what really matters is showing the employer you have the skills they’re looking for.

It’s best to use a range of examples to highlight your relevant experience and skills. If you feel comfortable, you can also draw on your disability to showcase your strengths.

Here’s a good example of how to do this:

“While my disability has, until now, made it challenging for me to obtain work experience in (Industry), I feel that in managing my disability I have developed and demonstrated certain competencies. Managing my disability has specifically forced me to develop my communication and influencing skills as a result of having to work with service providers. I have also developed my ability to plan and organise as a result of coordinating my doctor’s appointments around my university schedule.  In addition, by working with my university’s Disability Services, I have advanced my ability to work effectively in a team. These skills will transfer well to a career at (Company), and demonstrate that I have much to offer.”

If you’ve found yourself fretting about explaining a gap on your CV to employers, you’re not alone. Being open with an employer about gaps on your CV may feel nerve-racking, but it’s a good opportunity to demonstrate your resilience and commitment to your career goals despite the barriers you’ve faced.

Here are some tips to help you explain gaps in your CV to an employer:

• When it comes to gaps in your education, give a short explanation rather than leaving any time unaccounted for
• Be open about your mitigating circumstances – you deserve a fair shot at the role!
• If possible, get work experience. Holding down a job shows you’re proactive, reliable, trustworthy and hardworking – traits employers are looking for in candidates
• Focus on your strengths. For example, your lived experience with a disability shows your resilience and determination. But you may also be a creative thinker, a master problem solver or have a knack for planning. The key is to show the employer why you’d be an asset to their organisation
• Stay positive. Being open about your disability on your CV, in a cover letter or in an interview isn’t easy, but remember that your disability makes you unique and resilient. You don’t need people’s sympathy because you have so much potential. You just need to make sure you’re showcasing your unique strengths to recruiters

This article has been republished with the permission of MyPlus Students’ Club.