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Gap year activities provide you with a unique opportunity to develop personal maturity and achieve ambitions that are otherwise difficult to fit into working life.  Employers value gap years, but only if they have been well thought through and structured so that you can sell them in a relevant way. Employers also look for candidates who can demonstrate they have set goals, achieved them, and learned from mistakes.
Any examples you can provide of how you have solved problems and planned and organised activities will be valuable for your applications. Here are some skills employers may be interested in and some examples of how a gap year may give you the relevant experience: - Negotiation skills - may be acquired from fundraising activities such as approaching companies for donations.
- Soft skills - such as communication, teamwork and motivation, would be developed through activities such as teaching in a school or working with local communities, or from experiences of travelling through a country where you did not speak the language.
- Confidence and self-awareness - in relating to others will be achieved from the challenges of your gap year - many ‘returners’ speak of being stretched beyond their expectations and finding they could rise to the situation.
- Adaptability, self-reliance, self-motivation, independence and flexibility - can all be demonstrated to a potential employer by your achievements during your time out. You may have had to change your travel plans to avoid a conflict zone or you may have applied your skills in a variety of ways volunteering at home or abroad. Opportunities in a gap year for developing personal qualities are countless and you should think about how to show that you have taken advantage of them.
- Contacts and business models - if you have developed international contacts and an understanding of different business models and different ways of doing things, particularly if you have worked in a variety of sectors during your year, it will be appreciated when you apply for jobs. Make sure you point out what you have to offer in these areas.
- Research skills - will have been used in identifying opportunities, reviewing and decision-making, which are all part of planning and making your gap year happen.
- Drive and ambition - are qualities attractive to employers, and they are evidenced by the fact that you have done something out of the ordinary that was not handed to you on a plate.
- Organisational skills - are vital for all aspects of taking time out, from making applications through to ensuring you have adequate accommodation along the way. Use this on your CV as evidence of your ability.
- People and project management skills - may have been acquired, depending on your gap activities.
- Problem solving - often under pressure, will become a reality when you face situations such as accommodation not being available, your passport being lost or stolen, or projects that do not work out as you planned. Record examples of how you overcome setbacks to provide evidence of your initiative and resilience.
Keep these points in mind during your gap year and make a record of key events, both positive and negative, and how you responded to them. When you are applying for work, application forms and interviewers will often ask for examples of the range of competencies they are seeking, and this record will help you to remember some specifics. Career decision making and direction are also important to employers. They want candidates who have thought through their career direction before making their application. Consider how you can demonstrate that you planned your time out with your future in mind, taking account of the personal and practical benefits that would prepare you for your chosen career path. |
