Hello,

 My main piece of advice would be not to limit yourself in your job search based on these criteria! Here are my thoughts on your proposed strategies:

1.Show only years: this might work, but might also jump out as odd (i.e., recruiter will assume that career breaks happened or something else was going on that made you want to hide the months)

2.Explain in cover letter: I don't think you necessarily need to do that, though it depends on the reason. Explaining directly in the interview is probably the way to go.

3.Pick a role that doesn't care that much about stability: don't limit yourself and apply to all roles that interest you! Just make sure you prepare a good explanation for the career gaps

4.Network or find acquaintance for referral: definitely do this! Referrals greatly help maximize the chance of an interview!

Networking is going to be the best way to create the right impression that will overcome your concerns. It will help the other side feel confident about you before simply judging you by your CV.

Regarding what you put in your CV and cover-letter, there are multiple ways to tackle this problem. #1 will only take you that far. #2 is not advisable. #3 seems alright, but if done correctly, you can also find traction with corporations.

However, couple of other options available as well - feel free to message me about it.

Navigating job switching and career gaps can indeed present challenges in the job search process, but there are strategies you can employ to smoothen their impact. Here are some suggestions:

Emphasize your accomplishments: When crafting your resume and cover letter, highlight your achievements and the value you brought to each role. Focus on showcasing your skills, expertise, and the positive impact you made during your time in each position. This will shift the focus away from the duration of your tenure.

Use the cover letter strategically: The cover letter provides an opportunity to address any potential concerns regarding job switching or career gaps. Briefly explain the reasons behind your transitions, emphasizing the valuable experiences and skills you gained along the way. Use this space to convey your enthusiasm, adaptability, and commitment to your chosen field.

Leverage networking and referrals: Utilize your professional network and connections to gain referrals or introductions to potential employers. A personal recommendation can help mitigate concerns related to job switching and career gaps by vouching for your skills, work ethic, and suitability for the role. Networking can also provide you with valuable insights and guidance during your job search.

Focus on relevant skills and experiences: When targeting certain industries or roles, emphasize the transferable skills and experiences you possess that are relevant to those positions. Showcase how your diverse background and adaptability make you a strong candidate who can bring a fresh perspective and valuable insights to the table.

Demonstrate continuous learning and growth: Highlight any professional development activities, certifications, or additional education you pursued during career gaps. This demonstrates your commitment to self-improvement and continuous learning, which can offset concerns about stagnation or lack of engagement during those periods.

Remember, the key is to present yourself as a motivated and qualified candidate with a wealth of experiences and skills, regardless of job switches or career gaps. Emphasize the value you can bring to a prospective employer and align your narrative with their needs and priorities.

Best of luck with your job search, and I hope these suggestions prove helpful to you!

Hi there,

First, you need to network. The best, most direct, most proven way to “quickly” increase your chances is through networking.

Honestly, on a resume it's pretty hard to hide something like this (and, depending on your overall background, not the end of the world).

1.Show only years: sometimes this will help me pass interviews and some interviewers don't care at all, but many times head-hunters or hiring manager would ask me to put on the months.

Look, this is an option. But personally I probably wouldn't do it.

2.Explain in cover letter: haven't tried this before, but many recruiting experts on the internet suggested to do so.

I would not bring this up and bring attention to this. Rather, focus on your strengths.

3.Pick a role that doesn't care that much about stability (e.g. consulting, startups): I feel that corporate cares much more about loyalty and tenure compared to consulting (median tenure for MBB is around 1.5 - 2 years). 

Yes. Also, why not just apply to a ton and see which you get? Why “pick” a role when they haven't picked you? Honestly, you should aim for dozens and dozens of applications!

4.Network or find acquaintance for referral

Yes please! 100% a huge leg up if you can.

Here's some more reading to help (internship tips also apply to full time offer tips): https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/how-to-get-a-consulting-internship-tips-and-tricks

Hi there, 

Sorry to hear about this situation. 

I would recommend that you actually work with an expert for the CV review. It's a great ROI considering that it helps bring your CV already in the top 10% of applicants. I have not yet been in one situation where I worked with a candidate on the CV and they didn't receive at least a couple of interview invites. 

Out of your suggestions, I'd mostly focus on points 2, 3 and 4. It's challenging to give feedback on the CV without knowing your experience and having it in front of me, but if I were you I would focus on explaining that gap as a self-standing experience, either under professional or leadership experience. Once again, it's important to have somebody know how to best position this. 

Sharing with you also an article that goes into more detail about how to set up a successful application strategy for consulting roles:

• Maximising your chances of getting a consulting job during an economic downturn

Best,
Cristian