ADD ADVICE TO FAVAvoiding common gap-year mistakes
Thinking of travelling on a gap year? Intending to look for a graduate job when you come back? Confident that you will be in exactly the same position as when you left? Don’t be too sure…
From a recruitment perspective, there are four things to think about if you are considering travelling during your gap year:
1. Lack of support when you return
It’s easy to underestimate the amount of support you get at university. It’s not just the careers service and the way that employers come to you, it’s also sharing things like interview experiences with friends. Trying to get a graduate job outside this environment can be very demoralising. It’s much better to use this support before you leave.
2. Bad timing
The second problem is timing. The graduate recruitment process tends to be linked to the academic year. If you haven’t thought about when is the best time to come back, it could be as long as 18 months before you start work.
3. Employers wondering about your commitment
The longer you stay away, the more likely it is that graduate employers are going to question your commitment to themselves, the industry and to a more settled lifestyle.
4. Gaps in your CV
If you plan to travel, think about the new skills you might pick up – for example, increased cultural awareness, confidence and self-reliance. Don’t be tempted to leave this experience off your CV – you will surely have some experiences you can use to illustrate your personality or career skills on a job-application form.
Employers like to see a CV which accounts for all your time, including any spent travelling – leaving it out completely may make them suspicious.
