How big employment gaps?

[rubysun]

Hi,

I would appreciate very much if somebody could advise me on this.

I started working for my current employer on 2 July 2006 but on a dependant visa. I switched to a work permit visa (WP issued by the same employer) on 15 May 2007 and entered the UK on the next day. I have now switched to a Tier 1 General, effective from 26 November 2010, which expires on 26 November 2012. I am currently looking for a new job and not sure how quickly I will be able to find one.

So my question is - I understand I should be eligible to apply for an ILR after 16 May 2012 (5 years after WP visa entry), but I cannot find any information regarding to for how big part of this 5 year period I need to be employed? In other words - how long a gap I can afford between jobs?

Many thanks in advance!