I'm rewriting my CV for the first time in 5 years. Should I use a chronological format or a skills-based one? My work history has a big gap and I'm worried it'll put employers off before they even read it.
I'd go with a hybrid format — a strong skills summary at the top (3–4 bullet points highlighting your key competencies), then your experience in reverse chronological order. This lets recruiters see your value immediately without getting stuck on the gap.
Address the gap directly with a short line like "Career break (2020–2023) — primary carer for young children". Trying to hide it draws more attention. Employers are used to seeing this and most are sympathetic.
Keep it to 2 pages maximum. Recruiters spend an average of 7 seconds on a first scan. A clean, well-formatted CV that's easy to read matters as much as the content.