There’s no doubt about it. Getting back into work after a career break is daunting, but it doesn’t have to mean starting from scratch. In fact, career breaks are quite common and can be an opportunity for personal growth. You see, over the months or years that you’ve been away from the workplace, you’ve probably gained valuable experience that relates to your career. In this blog, we provide a plan to help you return to work after a career break, starting with building your confidence.

Step 1 – Rebuild Your Confidence

It’s going to take time, and you’ll likely have to accept that some rustiness is normal. But be sure to celebrate small wins to build your confidence. As you’re getting back into work after a significant career break, seemingly small tasks like updating your LinkedIn profile or attending a networking event help you reclaim your career. You should also reflect on what you’ve learned during the break, whether it’s resilience, organisation or perspective. This step is crucial in regaining confidence and restarting your career journey.

Confidence boosters to try:

• Write a list of all the achievements you’re proud of
• Practice your elevator pitch until it’s perfect
• Start each day with an achievable goal
• Reconnect with a support colleague or mentor
• Take a short professional development course to refresh your skills
• Update your working wardrobe to dress for the job you want

Step 2 – Identify Your Transferable Skills

In the time you’ve been away from work, you’ve likely acquired soft skills, whether from parenting, travel or recovery, which can be an asset when you return to your career. It’s about being able to communicate these skills as a positive contribution to your personal growth. You’ll likely have developed resilience, adaptability and emotional intelligence in real-world situations. Let’s take a look at the most common reasons for long-term career breaks and the inherent benefits they can offer your career.

Travel

If you’re lucky enough to have taken a career break to broaden your horizons by travelling, you’ve likely gained a wealth of career-enhancing skills. While you were navigating unfamiliar environments and immersing yourself in new cultures, you have likely developed adaptability, learning how to adjust your plans and expectations. The flexibility you need as a traveller is crucial to the workplace, where the ability to pivot and embrace new challenges is highly valued. Travel also requires meticulous planning and organisational skills, which are crucial for managing projects and meeting deadlines in a professional context. Travelling also encourages you to communicate outside your comfort zone with a variety of people, which builds your interpersonal skills.

Parenting

Parenting is arguably the most challenging job you’ll ever do, and most wouldn’t argue this position. It’s undoubtedly a training ground for developing important skills that are highly transferable to the workplace. The experience of parenting demands exceptional time management, as you juggle a multitude of competing priorities, from coordinating schedules and appointments to managing household chores.  You’re also likely to be a seriously seasoned negotiator after navigating bedtime routines, sibling disagreements and homework commitments. Multitasking will also become second nature as you balance multiple priorities throughout the day, thereby strengthening your ability to adapt to fast-paced work environments where competing demands are a regular part of the day-to-day.

Burnout recovery

If you’ve experienced occupational burnout, the recovery process has likely led to the development of crucial skills, such as self-awareness, boundary setting, and improved emotional regulation. Recovery from burnout is highly challenging, but it can help you understand yourself better, from recognising your personal limits to managing stress and becoming more resilient in the face of future career setbacks.

Step 3 – Getting Back into Work Strategically

When getting back into work, it’s essential not to be tempted to try to catch up on lost time. You should instead focus on rebuilding your career sustainably, taking into consideration your long-term goals, as they may have changed.

Are you now in a position where flexibility is important? You should begin by exploring part-time, freelance or even volunteering roles that allow you to reintegrate into the work environment gradually. In this way, you take the pressure off while also expanding your networking opportunities and gaining valuable experience.

If you find skills gaps, especially if a considerable amount of time has passed since you were at work, take the initiative to invest in your professional development. There are many short online courses that can help you returning to work with confidence.

You may also find it helpful to develop effective workplace habits early in the getting back into work journey, such as:

• Time-blocking – assign specific time slots for focused work, emails, and breaks
• Use the 2-minute rule – if a task takes less than 2 minutes, do it immediately
• Start each day with a priority list – limit to 3–5 key tasks
• Schedule short breaks – use the Pomodoro technique (25 min work / 5 min break) to maintain focus
• Batch emails – check and respond to emails at set times (e.g., 10 AM and 3 PM)
• Set weekly review time – reflect on achievements and plan for the next week
• Mute unnecessary notifications – reduce digital distractions for deeper focus
• Keep a ‘Done’ list – track completed tasks to boost morale and momentum
• Use a task manager – tools like Monday or Microsoft To Do can help you stay organised

Step 4 – Update Your Professional Profile

It’s important to update your résumé and LinkedIn profile with a confident, honest career break entry when you’re returning to work. Ensure that you include any personal projects, studies, or voluntary roles undertaken during your career break. It’s also smart to have your ‘career break comeback pitch’ well-rehearsed for interviews.

You can use the following as a guide to write your own pitch:

“I took a career break to focus on [parenting/travel/recovery], and I’m now returning to work with a renewed focus and real-world skills that complement my previous experience.”

Step 5 – Create a Support Network

Building a support network is crucial after taking a career break. Returning to work is easier when you engage with others who have shared similar experiences. Consider joining alumni groups or professional development networks to establish valuable connections and access resources. It’s also an ideal way to seek mentorship as people appreciate the opportunity to support comeback stories and share their own insights.

 

Career Comeback Checklist

Getting back into work after a career break may be challenging, but with this Career Comeback Checklist, you at least feel prepared and embrace this new opportunity with confidence.

Reflect & Reset

• Identify why you’re returning to work and your new goals
• Assess what’s changed in your industry or career field
• Reflect on new skills gained during your career break
• Acknowledge any skills gaps and commit to professional development

Update Your Career Tools

• Refresh your resume and make sure it reflects your current goals
• Optimise your LinkedIn profile with a clear headline and recent skills
• Prepare a simple, confident explanation for your career break (see above)
• Perfect your elevator pitch

Rebuild Professional Focus

• Understand your ideal role, work culture, and flexibility needs
• Define your transferable skills and how they add value
• Set short-term and long-term career goals
• Consider upskilling or taking a short course (e.g. communication, leadership)

Reach Out & Reconnect

• Reach out to former colleagues, mentors, or industry contacts
• Attend networking or industry events
• Join relevant professional groups or forums
• Let people know you’re open to opportunities

Organise Your Job Search

• Set up job alerts and monitor relevant job boards
• Create a time-blocked weekly schedule for job search and applications
• Write cover letters that are unique to each application
• Practice answering common interview questions, including explaining your break

Support Your Transition

• Establish a daily routine that includes breaks and self-care
• Use time-management tools (e.g., time-blocking)
• Celebrate small wins to build confidence and motivation
• Stay patient as career comebacks take time

 

Taking a career break allows you to take a fresh perspective on your career. It’s an opportunity to prioritise your well-being and commitment to a real work-life balance.  When returning to work, make sure to capitalise on the new experiences and skills you now bring to the workplace. Can we help you with return-to-work professional development? Simply contact one of our Course Consultants today at 1300 76 2221 or via Live Chat for information and support.