Returning to work after a gap, Te hoki ki te mahi i muri i te houanga

When you apply for a job, you usually have to explain any gaps in your work history to employers. There are lots of reasons for gaps in paid mahi, including:

• bringing up your tamariki
• caring for elderly whānau members
• travelling overseas
• studying something new
• recovering from an illness or accident
• being made redundant
• spending time in prison.

It’s important to be honest with employers about these gaps. When applying for jobs, show how your gap experiences prepared you for the mahi you want to do now. Here are some examples of what you could say about your time off work in your job application.

• Caring for others – Explain how you gained valuable skills like empathy and resilience.
• Studying – Explain why you did your course, what you learned, and how it made you interested in this kind of work.
• Volunteering – Talk about how you developed valuable skills and experience in your volunteer role.

If you haven’t been in paid mahi for a while, there are lots of things you can do to get back to work. You could:

• update your CV
• explain the work gap in your cover letter
• create an online job profile
• search job vacancy and recruitment websites
• ask people you know about local vacancies
• contact businesses in your community directly.
• How to create an online job profile

When you're looking for work after a gap, use a skills-focused CV that focuses on your technical and personal skills rather than your work history. Include any recent training or new knowledge from industry events or volunteer work.

• How to write a CV

Explain any work gaps in your cover letter. Here are some examples:

• ‘I’ve been the main caregiver for our tamariki for the last 3 years.’
• ‘I've spent 6 months retraining to change my career.’
• ‘I'm keen to return to work after recovering from an injury.’
• How to write a cover letter

If you’ve had a gap because of health issues or a disability that could affect your ability to work, you can contact Workbridge. They can help you look for jobs and do interviews.

• Help with finding work – Workbridge

There are organisations that will support you and help you get a job if you have a work gap due to prison and criminal convictions. It’s best to give honest answers if you’re asked about convictions during the job application process.

• Supporting organisations – Department of Corrections

If you have a conviction but qualify for the clean slate scheme, you can say you have no criminal record if an employer asks.

• Clean slate scheme – Ministry of Justice

If you’re struggling to find a job or get interviews after a work gap you could:

• check out our career ideas to see what experience and skills employers look for
• consider getting a job at a lower level than before to get current experience
• take a temporary job in another work area while you search for the mahi you really want
• ask Work and Income for help with training and work experience to get you ready for work.
• Explore career ideas
• Programmes to get ready for work – Work and Income