Usually, you do not need to use valuable cover-letter space to explain a short career gap unless the context is important to your candidacy.

A consulting cover letter should primarily strengthen motivation, fit, and evidence of impact. A defensive explanation can distract from those signals.

If the gap is long or creates an obvious question, one neutral sentence can be enough. There is no need to share personal details that are not relevant to the application.

Keep any explanation concise and positive, then return to why you are a strong candidate. consulting cover letter guide.

I would only explain it if the gap is long enough that a recruiter will obviously wonder about it.

Curious if anyone has seen an interviewer push on this in a live case.