Gaps in the CV: What does that mean?

When will you likely NOT to have gaps in your CV?
-- You have just finished school and starting your first full-time job.
-- You are still employed and working in your first full-time job.
-- You have been continuously employed even though you have switched jobs more than once.
-- You were in part-time employment between full-time jobs.
-- You have not been in the workplace long enough!

Anyway if you have been in some kind of employment for at least a decade (and more so if you've been employed longer), it is likely that you might have a gap or more in your employment history if you have tried changing jobs, have been made redundant, or have taken time off full-time jobs for whatever reasons (studying, relocating with spouse to another place, illness, travel, starting a business etc.).

But having a gap in the CV may adversely affect one's chance of getting a new job. The recruiter, being faced with so many choices, would obviously screen the CV for the best few, and any CV which is no where near perfect (those with spelling errors, gaps, experiences and education that do not meet requirement) would unlikely make it at all. I have known of people who have gaps in their employment history - but are still able to get back into full-time employment. The process may be much harder, takes longer, and sometimes involve luck and ingenuity.

But I firmly believe there is no merit in "concealing" the gaps, honesty is the best policy. It is a reality that firms lay off staff (especially the more senior staff who are much more expensive to keep) during poor economy or whenever mergers occur. People left their jobs for different reasons and some did so without another job to fall back on immediately.

However, as far as I am concern, gaps between jobs aren't necessarily bad! What is the rationale behind this thought?
-- A person who has been out of job for some time would be more appreciative of his or her new job and be a better worker.
-- One who has taken a sabbatical would return to the workplace "refreshed" and energized.
-- If this person has been doing something else and meaningfully engaged as a volunteer, or setting up a business, or has been consulting for sometime - he or she might have gained some insight and new skills while doing so.
-- One who can "afford" to be "out of job" between full-time employments may be someone who has a strong financial background, and that means he or she may be waiting for the "perfect job" to come along. If what the company is offering matches this job seeker's talents, then it may be a win-win situation for all.