For all kinds of reasons people take a career break. People might take time off from work to take care of kids or family members, study, take care of personal business, travel, recover from burnout or simply reassess their professional goals. Whatever the reason for it, the idea of returning to work after an extended break can be exciting and also frightening.
And a gap in your career doesn’t erase the knowledge and experience you had at the time. Prior preparation as well as presentation of your experience will help you to make your return to work more seamless.
A Start with What You Want
Before sending out applications, take some time to consider what you actually want from your next career move.
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Do you want to return to the same industry, Are you interested in a different role, Would flexible or remote work suit your current circumstances better? Are you looking for full-time employment, part-time work, consulting opportunities or freelance projects.
Your career priorities may have changed since your career break, and that’s perfectly normal. A career restart does not have to carry you back to where you were at the beginning of life.
A clear idea of your preferred job, industry and working arrangement can make your job search more focused.
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Assess Your Existing Skills
Make a list of the professional skills you developed before your career break. Then identify transferable skills you may have developed during the break.
Communication, organization, problem solving, time management, budgeting, leadership and negotiation are important in many organizations. Depending on the circumstances you may also have had projects that you managed, events that you organized or even learned new technology.
Don't underestimate these abilities simply because they weren't acquired in a traditional workplace.
Update Your Skills
One major concern after a career break is whether your industry has changed. Technology, workplace practices and professional expectations can change very quickly.
Fortunately, there are many ways to refresh your knowledge. Online courses, certifications, workshops, webinars, industry publications and professional communities can help you understand current trends.
You don’t need to acquire a lot of qualifications. Pick skills that employers believe are worth earning in the jobs you aim to do.
For example, if an understanding of common workplace software, data analysis, digital marketing, artificial intelligence tools or industry-specific platforms is a good thing, then it will strengthen your profile.
Refresh Your Resume
Your resume should show what you are capable of and what you do and how you do in your career and should not put the gap in your resume as the primary thing.
For example, describe what you have done that you are working with in your professional life, are doing in your career, learn from in your education or certification work or on projects, have done to prove it. If you have done courses, freelancing or volunteer work or other meaningful things you have done in your break, include them in it.
The career gap that you took is not a sign of your ability or your work or ability. A career break is not a measure of your future in your career.
I am sure you are honest about your dates and employment history and as such I will use your resume to show what you can contribute now.
Rebuild Your Professional Network
Networking can be especially valuable when returning to work.
Reconnect with former colleagues, classmates, managers and professional contacts. Let people know that you’re exploring opportunities. Attend industry events, online discussions and professional networking groups.
You don’t need to ask everyone for a job. Have a conversation, know about the changes in your industry and ask people for their help. A former colleague might know about an opportunity that is not commonly advertised.
Prepare for Interviews
Interview questions about career gaps can sometimes feel uncomfortable. Prepare a brief, confident explanation rather than becoming defensive.
You can express why you went for a break and then move from there to what you’ve learned or how you’ve worked on yourself and why you’re ready to come back.
Instead of solely focusing on why you were not working, discuss relevant courses, projects, skills or experiences that demonstrate your current readiness.
Also prepare for questions about what is happening in your industry and be prepared to answer questions about changes in your industry and be ready to explain how you’ve updated your knowledge.
Consider a Gradual Return
When you feel it’s too hard to go back to work, consider alternatives.
Freelancing, contract positions, internships, consulting, volunteering or part-time work will help you regain some recent experiences and confidence. And these opportunities will also enlarge your professional network.
A gradual return may lead to insight into what sort of work/schedule works best for you.
Be Patient With Yourself
After a career break it can take time to find the right job. Don’t take rejection as signals that your career is over.
You may need to apply for several roles, revise your resume, improve your interview technique or update specific skills before finding the right opportunity.
Have realistic weekly goals, such as completing a course, contacting professional contacts or applying for a specific number of suitable positions.
Returning to work after a career break is not about starting from zero. You did your job so long ago, you carry all the transferable skills you learned, and you’ve learned new stuff.
If you’re going to update your skills, freshen your resume, develop your network and point out your strengths, you’ve got to do that. You’re not going to be forced to recreate your old job as it was. Your next professional career chapter would be a reflection of who you are today and what you want.
A career break may have changed your path but it doesn’t have to define your future. With preparation, patience and a clear strategy, returning to the workforce can be an opportunity for meaningful professional growth.
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