How to Return to Work After a Career Break

Considering going back to work? No matter the reason for your break — parenting, school, your health, or something else — now may be the perfect time to reenter the workforce.

Whether you call it the Great Resignation or the Great Reshuffle, the pandemic-inspired trend of employees voluntarily leaving their jobs continues. According to February 2022 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are currently 11.3 million jobs open in the United States.

Individuals who are ready to get back to work have the advantage of reentering a workforce with plenty of job openings. Additionally, employers are increasingly willing to hire someone who took a career break. A recent LinkedIn survey of more than 7,000 hiring managers discovered that “nearly half of employers believe candidates with career breaks are an untapped talent pool.”

Going back to work doesn’t mean you have to return to the office you left — or even to the same role or field as before your career break. Your first step toward reentering the workforce must be determining your career goals.

Ask yourself these two questions and give yourself time to reflect on your answers.

A simple question, but a foundational one. Was it for personal reasons, or was I dissatisfied with my career? Was quitting my old job enough, or do I need to consider a career change?

Reflect on your strengths, your values, and what’s influencing your decision to go back to work now.

Once you’ve determined your career wants, you’ll need to research the current labor market and begin networking.

Researching the labor market is an excellent way to get a high-level view of careers that interest you. By using sources like O*NET Online and the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, you can gather data on available jobs, potential earnings, education requirements, and more.

Telling people that you’re on the job market again may feel scary, but don’t avoid this critical step toward reentering the workforce. Though it may be intimidating, there are many benefits to networking that you don’t want to miss out on.

If you’ve been on a career break for some time, online networking may be especially intimidating for you. Don’t let it be! Consider what makes in-person networking successful. Then apply the same strategies to online networking.

It’s important to refresh the skills that sat on the shelf during your career break. Upskilling is also something you should consider before you head back to work. Life-long education is becoming the norm.

There are three ways to approach upskilling, all of which can help you land a better job when you get back to work:

Additionally, there are more casual, less structured ways to upskill. Listening to podcasts, reading books from your local library, or even volunteering can enhance your skillset.

But what skills are in-demand these days?

Many employers are looking for people with technology-related skills. From the basics like word processing to more advanced skills like coding or search engine optimization, employers in countless industries need individuals with technological knowledge on their teams.

You’ll need to update your resume and LinkedIn profile as you prepare to get back to work. Instead of worrying over the gap in your resume from your career break, acknowledge it positively. Explaining the gaps in your resume is the best way to get hiring managers to focus on your skills rather than your career break.

Remember, there’s no need to be defensive or overshare. If your company laid you off because of the pandemic, note that fact without getting into your feelings. If you took a break to care for young ones, state that you were on “parental leave.”

Thankfully, today’s employee-favored market is making career breaks more acceptable. Life sometimes wants or requires a break from formal work. Why not acknowledge that?

Transparency is key when going back to work after a career break. Discuss your time off in your cover letters, elevator pitches, and interviews.

Your strength and confidence will rely on practice. Before even applying for a job, write out a general cover letter to help get your thoughts and story down. Reference this when applying to jobs and tweak it accordingly for each position.

Practice your elevator pitch with family members and friends. It may feel silly, but you’ll be much more likely to make the pitch when the opportunity arises.

Review common interview questions and prepare questions of your own before an interview. Coming to an interview with questions shows your potential employer that you’ve done your research.