Should I mention redundancy on my CV?

You do not have to put the word redundancy on the CV itself. Give the job its real end date and, if you like, a short note such as "Role made redundant in a restructure" under that job. Save the fuller explanation for your cover letter or interview.

How do I explain a gap after redundancy?

If the gap is a few months, the dates usually speak for themselves. For a longer gap, add one honest line: job hunting, a course, caring, or temporary work. Employers mainly want to know you have kept busy and are ready to start.

Is redundancy the same as being sacked?

No. Redundancy means the job itself was cut, not that you did anything wrong. Most interviewers understand that, so say it plainly and move on to what you can do for them.

How long should my CV be?

Two pages is the norm in the UK for most experienced people. If you are early in your career, one page is fine. Cut older roles down to a line or two each.

Should I take a lower-level job after redundancy?

Plenty of people do while they look, and it is nothing to hide. Tailor the CV to the job you are applying for, leading with the skills that role needs, rather than sending one CV everywhere.

Guide · CVs

How to write a CV after redundancy (UK)

Being made redundant is hard, and the CV can feel like the last thing you want to face. The good news: redundancy is common, employers understand it, and a clear, up-to-date CV gets you back in front of them quickly. Here is how to write one this week.

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Step 1: get your facts together first

Your exact job titles and start and end dates for each role.
Three to five things you achieved in your last job: targets hit, money saved, people trained, problems fixed. Use numbers wherever you honestly can.
Any licences, tickets or courses (forklift, CSCS, first aid, food hygiene, Excel and so on).
Copies of appraisals or nice emails from managers. They are a goldmine for achievement lines.

Step 2: use a simple UK layout

Name and contact details: phone, email, town and LinkedIn if you have it. No photo, date of birth or marital status.
Profile (three or four lines): who you are, your strongest experience and the job you want next.
Key skills: six to ten skills that appear in the adverts you are applying for.
Experience: newest job first. For each one, a line on what the role was, then bullet points of what you achieved.
Education and training: short, newest first.

Step 3: how to show the redundancy

End your last job on its real end date. Do not stretch dates to hide a gap.
If you want to, add one neutral line under that job: "Role made redundant following a restructure."
Keep it out of your profile. Your profile is about what you offer, not why you left.
In your cover letter, one sentence is enough: "My role was made redundant in September when the site closed, and I am keen to bring my experience to..."

Step 4: turn duties into achievements

Most old CVs list duties. Hiring managers want results. Compare:

Before: "Responsible for stock control."
After: "Ran weekly stock counts for a 4,000-line warehouse and cut picking errors by a third in six months."

Only use figures you can stand behind at interview. If you do not know an exact number, describe the scale instead (team size, number of sites, customers per day).

Step 5: tailor it to each job

Read the advert and underline the skills and words it repeats.
Make sure those exact words appear in your skills list and experience, where true. Many employers screen CVs with software that looks for them.
Move your most relevant achievements to the top of each job.
Keep a master copy and save a tailored version for each application.

Mistakes to avoid

Sounding bitter about the old employer. Keep everything neutral and forward-looking.
Using tables, text boxes or two columns, which applicant tracking software often scrambles.
Sending the same CV to every job.
Leaving out short contracts or temp work you have done since. They show you kept working.

Free help: the National Careers Service offers free careers advice in England, and your local Jobcentre can help with training. Related guides: career change CV, cover letter and tracking job applications.

Frequently asked questions

Should I mention redundancy on my CV?: You do not have to put the word redundancy on the CV itself. Give the job its real end date and, if you like, a short note such as "Role made redundant in a restructure" under that job. Save the fuller explanation for your cover letter or interview.
How do I explain a gap after redundancy?: If the gap is a few months, the dates usually speak for themselves. For a longer gap, add one honest line: job hunting, a course, caring, or temporary work. Employers mainly want to know you have kept busy and are ready to start.
Is redundancy the same as being sacked?: No. Redundancy means the job itself was cut, not that you did anything wrong. Most interviewers understand that, so say it plainly and move on to what you can do for them.
How long should my CV be?: Two pages is the norm in the UK for most experienced people. If you are early in your career, one page is fine. Cut older roles down to a line or two each.
Should I take a lower-level job after redundancy?: Plenty of people do while they look, and it is nothing to hide. Tailor the CV to the job you are applying for, leading with the skills that role needs, rather than sending one CV everywhere.

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Written by TCH Works, Harlow, Essex, October 2026.