25 Tips for Returning to Work After a Career Break
Returning to work after a career break can be daunting, but it’s much more common than you might think. Nearly two-thirds (62%) of employees have taken a break at some point in their professional career, according to a recent LinkedIn survey of almost 23,000 workers and over 7,000 hiring managers.
Additionally, 56% of professionals who have taken a career break felt nervous about returning to work. It’s also common to feel concerned about explaining the time off and bridging a skills gap that may have opened up during your break. However, the same survey revealed a reassuring fact: 74% of those who took a career break believe that employers valued the skills they gained during that time. This should give you confidence in the unique value you bring to the table. 50% of hiring managers agreed that people returning from a break often bring valuable soft skills back to the workplace (LinkedIn Pressroom | LinkedIn).
While career breaks can be challenging when returning to work, they are also an excellent opportunity for personal and professional growth, which future employers will appreciate. If you’re returning to work after a hiatus, this should inspire hope and optimism. We have 25 tips, from updating your resume to networking and applying for your next job, to make the transition successful!
Are You Ready to Return?
If it’s been many years since you’ve been in the workplace, whether due to family commitments or health issues, it’s vital to prepare for a return to work properly. Consider your short—and long-term goals, skills gaps and professional development requirements, the current job market, your resume, and your social media footprint.
1. Assess Your Readiness
Before returning to work after a career break, it’s crucial to ensure you’re mentally and emotionally ready. Reflect on your motivations and evaluate your mental, physical, and emotional health. It’s critical to rebuild your confidence through self-reflection and set realistic expectations of your return. Seeking support and maintaining physical well-being through exercise and stress-relief practices is a great place to start. This holistic approach will help you manage the transition to work and position yourself for long-term career success. Remember, you have the power to shape your journey back into the workforce.
2. Update Your Skills
If you’ve been away from the professional environment for an extended period, it’s important to recognise and address any gaps in your skillset before re-entering the workforce. Take the time to assess your current skills and determine which areas may need improvement or updating. Consider enrolling in professional development opportunities such as relevant courses or workshops to refresh your existing skills and acquire new ones. This proactive approach will enhance your marketability and boost your confidence as you prepare to return to work.
3. Research the Job Market
It’s important to stay informed about the latest industry developments and changes in the job market to ensure that you are well-prepared and competitive when seeking new job opportunities. If you have been on a career break, it’s crucial to understand that the landscape of your field may have evolved. Take the time to thoroughly research the specific job market you are targeting, including the latest skill requirements, technological advancements, and emerging job opportunities. This will significantly enhance your prospects of securing a successful job transition.
4. Set Clear Goals
Planning and setting clear goals are vital steps for a successful comeback to any career. It is essential to carefully outline what you aim to accomplish in both the short and long term to establish SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound) goals.
Revamp Your Resume and Online Presence
5. Revamp Your Resume
If it’s been a while since you updated your resume, it might be time to revamp it. After a prolonged career break, you should highlight relevant skills and experiences that apply to the job you’re applying for, including those gained during the break. You can learn more about creating a strategic resume in our blog, How to Write a Good Resume – Strategically.
6. Write a Compelling Cover Letter
Don’t forget to include a compelling cover letter with your revamped resume for maximum impact and job-seeking success. Don’t shy away from or try to hide your career break. Instead, address the career break positively and explain why you’re ready to return to work. And, if you’re returning to work and changing careers, read How to Write a Winning ‘Career Change’ Cover Letter.
7. Update Your LinkedIn Profile
Updating your LinkedIn profile is crucial for modern networking, particularly during a career break. It’s important to ensure that your profile reflects your current skills and career objectives, especially if it’s been a while since your last update.
8. Clean Up Your Social Media
Employers frequently review social media accounts. Therefore, if your account is not private, adjust this setting. Maintaining a professional and consistent presence on your social media accounts, including the profile photo you choose, is crucial.
Networking and Job Search Strategies
9. Reconnect with Your Network
If you have been away from work for a while, you might feel nervous about contacting former colleagues and industry contacts. However, it’s important to do so. Reconnecting with your network will present various opportunities for returning to work and make the transition much smoother. Most of the time, people are willing to help, so try to confidently approach those who are still connected to your previous workplace or industry.
10. Attend Industry Events
Attending industry events before returning to work can provide a significant confidence boost and offer valuable insights into the latest developments and trends affecting your industry and workplace. Take the time to explore upcoming conferences, seminars, and workshops that align with your professional interests. These events can also help you re-establish connections with key contacts and enhance your confidence as you prepare to re-enter the industry after a career break.
11. Join Professional Associations
If your professional memberships have expired during your career break, it’s a good idea to renew them before returning to work. You should also research if there are any new associations or relevant organisations that may assist you in your return to work after a career break.
12. Use Job Search Platforms
Returning to work can be challenging if you’re looking for a new job or are switching careers. It’s important to leverage job boards and recruitment sites tailored to your industry to expand your job search prospects. Seek is an excellent place to start, with the option to set alerts when a position in your industry is posted to the board.
13. Consider a Career Coach
If returning to work is proving stressful or you’re feeling stuck, enlisting the help of a career coach can be a lifesaver. Many people seek professional guidance to navigate the job market after an extended career break for help with applying for and finding the ideal career opportunity.
Applying for Jobs
14. Tailor Your Applications
It’s important to avoid the mistake of sending out mass applications with a standard resume and cover letter. Instead, take the time to customise each job application to align with the specific requirements of the position and the company. This tailored approach can significantly increase your chances of standing out and landing an interview. Remember, quality over quantity is key when it comes to job applications.
15. Practice Your Interview Skills
Interviews are stressful at best, but if you’ve been on a career break, the prospect of attending an interview can be much more daunting. So, make sure you prepare for common interview questions and practice with mock interviews. If you’re looking for some tips, check our blog, 15 Valuable Job Interview Tips.
16. Be Honest About Your Break
A gap in your career doesn’t have to be viewed negatively. Instead, approach any questions about your career break with honesty and confidence. When explaining a career break, be sure to emphasise the activities and experiences you engaged in during the gap that are directly relevant to the position you’re applying for. By highlighting the skills and knowledge gained during this time, you can effectively communicate the value you can bring to the role despite the career break.
17. Highlight Transferable Skills
The skills you gained during your break can be valuable when returning to work. So, ensure you emphasise any transferable skills relevant to the job you’re applying for. Transferable skills are any abilities or competencies that can be useful to any career path regardless of the context in which they were developed. For example, a career break to raise a family includes time management, multi-tasking, communication, budgeting and financial management, empathy and emotional intelligence and leadership and management skills.
During the Job Search
18. Stay Organised
Your organisation skills are crucial when job-seeking. Make sure you’re keeping track of job applications, interviews, and follow-ups. This way, you’re giving yourself the best chance of securing a position that’s perfect for you.
19. Maintain a Positive Attitude
Returning to work after an extended break can be disheartening, especially if you’ve already experienced multiple rejections during the job application process. But try to stay motivated and don’t get discouraged by setbacks. The ideal job takes time, and a positive attitude is vital to navigating an often competitive job market.
20. Seek Feedback
So, you’ve experienced a few rejections? Don’t let that discourage you. Instead, learn from rejections and improve your approach when applying for the next opportunity. At this point, it can be helpful to enlist the help of a friend, colleague or career coach for valuable feedback.
After Securing a Job
21. Prepare for Re-entry
Congratulations, you’ve secured a job. Now, it’s time to get ready for the transition back into a professional environment. Do you have professional or fit-for-purpose clothes for this new role? If not, it’s an excellent excuse for a new wardrobe! If you have a family, have you made appropriate childcare arrangements? Have you considered transport? When you’re prepared, the transition back to work will be ‘almost’ stress-free!
22. Set Realistic Expectations
The excitement of returning to work can be diminished by unrealistic expectations. It’s important to understand that there will be a period of adjustment, and feeling a bit overwhelmed at the beginning should be expected until you settle into this new role and environment.
23. Seek Support
Returning to work after a break can be overwhelming, but there are ways to make the transition smoother. Seek out mentors or peer support groups who can provide guidance and understanding during this adjustment period. Connecting with experienced colleagues or participating in support groups can offer valuable insights, advice, and emotional support as you navigate the challenges of returning to work.
24. Continuously Learn
It is crucial to engage in lifelong learning to stay informed about the latest developments in your industry. When you’re abreast of industry trends and continuing professional development initiatives, you enhance your skills and knowledge, which is crucial for personal and career growth.
25. Balance Work and Life
When you return to work, your time is often limited, so finding ways to effectively manage your personal and professional responsibilities is essential. Striking a healthy work-life balance is crucial for your emotional, mental, and physical well-being, which is vital for the success of your new role.
Hopefully, this blog has inspired and motivated you to return to work. Remember that no matter how long your career break was, you have gained valuable skills during that time, whether it was from travelling, raising a family, or caring for a loved one. Just be creative and emphasise the positive aspects of your career break. If you’d like to explore this concept in more detail, see our blog, The Ultimate Career Move: 8 Benefits of Taking a Break.
Can we help you with your personal or professional development? If you have professional development goals, we can help you return to work! Simply reach out to one of our friendly Course Consultants on 1300 76 2221 or Live Chat.