A gap year well spent will make you more attractive to employers.

That’s what Therese Procter, Personnel Director at Tesco Bank, says.

‘Leadership comes in so many different forms, but in our experience, those students who have completed a gap year demonstrate courage and confidence from the situations they have been in. They have learnt how to apply their skills and already know a lot about their strengths, capabilities and values.’

So, what can you do on your gap year?

Think you’re up for a challenge? Could you…
- Turn elephant poo into recycled paper?
- Build houses out of bottles?
- Collect flip-flops to make recycled goods for the community to sell?
- Have a goat feast in Kenya with the community?
- Eat fried tarantulas and locusts in Cambodia?
Just some of the things James Chetwoode from Camp Adventures told us his volunteers got up to.

Work

Experience in a related field can give you a good idea whether a certain career is right for you. Victoria Paterson spent her gap year working as a nanny, thinking it would help her chances of getting into primary teaching.

‘I looked after a three-year-old girl and a three-month-old baby boy for almost a year. Then my boss had another baby, so I looked after all three before I was due to start university.

‘As much as I loved looking after the kids, in the end I decided I didn't want to do teaching. Looking after kids all day was much more exhausting than I’d expected!’

Although her gap year experience changed her future plans, Victoria doesn’t regret the experience.

‘It’s better to get it right rather than stick with something you’re not happy doing. Being happy in a job is very important as it’s such a big part of your life.’
 
Top tip
A gap year spent working will help you towards getting a good reference.

Volunteer

Volunteering looks great on your CV, makes you feel good inside and can take you to some of the most interesting places on Earth. It’s also a great way to improve your skills and experience.

Some employers, like Google, are particularly interested in ‘the things you’ve done that make you unique’. Google suggests including ‘any year abroad programs’ on your CV.

Go for a volunteering option that suits your interests. You’ll work out if a career in that field is for you and it will impress future employers.

Top tip
There are plenty of voluntary opportunities overseas, but don’t ignore those closer to home. If you’re aged 18-30, Project Scotland is a great starting point.

Travel

A year spent travelling could be one of the best experiences of your life, but a gap year shouldn’t mean a ‘gap’ on your CV. Done right, seeing the world can help you get the job you want. That’s what Terence Perrin, Chairman of the Association of Graduate Recruiters says.

‘Taking a well planned gap year can be a real boost to your CV – travelling requires you to be resourceful, confident and open-minded. These are all attributes that recruiters value. However it’s really important you prepare well and make the most of your year out of study or work.

‘Explore destinations relevant to your interests, rather than just taking an extended holiday to the usual “backpacker” hotspots.

‘Think carefully about how to present your gap year. You’ll have learnt many transferable skills, so don’t sell yourself short – make sure your CV sets out the challenges you faced, how you negotiated them and what you learnt from the experience.’

Top tip
Keep an eye on the job market back home so you don’t get out of touch.

Study

Whatever sector you want to work in, there’ll be something you can do right now that takes you closer to the job you want. Career adviser Pauline Graham suggests studying a short course that matches up with your career goals.

‘You may have dropped subjects at school that you now realise are relevant to the job you want to do. A short course can help you to fill in the gaps. For example, if you plan on becoming a doctor a social care course can help you to develop relevant practical skills. If you fancy working overseas, why not study a foreign language?’

Top tip
Through study, you could also pick up some extra qualifications that will boost your CV.  Why not:

Still not sure what kind of gap year would suit your personality? Take The gap year quiz!

Gap year finished? Now what?

Check out My CV to turn your gap year experiences into a great CV.