How to restart your career after a break
It’s hard to know where to start after taking a career break. Even if it’s only been a few months, getting back into the workforce can be a daunting prospect.
First off, it’s important to understand that it’s not unusual to take a career break – there are many reasons why someone might take extended time off work, beyond having children, says Leah Lambart, Career Coach at Relaunch Me.
“There are lots of people who have to care for elderly parents or a sick partner,” she says. “Some people take time off because of burnout, but also travel, work on home projects, or simply have a break.”
Many who take time off come back into the workforce and find opportunities to resume their careers. If you’re ready to jump back into the workforce, here’s what our experts suggest for a smooth and confident start.
Prepare for the job hunt
One of the hardest parts of returning to the workforce is feeling out of your element. You might not be used to thinking about yourself in a professional context and you might even forget what it’s like going to work and juggling other responsibilities, says Lambart.
The first step to rebuilding confidence, and reestablishing your professional side, is to do a self-assessment, she says. Start by writing down:
- Your skills and strengths (even if they’ve been dormant for a while)
- What motivates you
- How you’d like to work (full time, part time or casual)
- Which industries or organisations interest you
Don’t forget to note the transferable skills you might have developed while on the break – whether parenting, caring or even travelling. You’ve likely been using skills such as research and planning, project management, budgeting or account keeping.
“Once you have a clearer idea of what you’re working towards, things become easier,” says Lambart. “Otherwise ,you’re often just scrolling job boards without knowing what you’re looking for.”
Next, update your resumé, including the template itself if it’s been a while. “We often see resumés that look 20 or 30 years out of date,” says Lambart.
Keyword optimise your resumé based on the type of role you want, update your online profiles as well as your SEEK profile, so potential employers can find you, and run it all past someone who regularly sees resumés. This could be a recruiter, hiring manager or resumé writer – just someone who can check your format and information is up to date.
Finally, don’t think you have to do it all alone. Lean on your network for help, including both personal and past professional connections. If you can, seek advice from someone who’s done it before.
“If there’s someone you know who’s been in a similar situation with a career break, reach out to them and ask how they managed their return to work,” says Kristine Tuazon, Director of Good People HR. “You’d be surprised at how many people want to help you.”
Be ready to explain the break
When it’s time to apply and interview for jobs, be prepared to answer questions about your time off. It’s standard practice for recruiters to ask, says Tuazon, even if it’s only been six or 12 months.
“I still have to ask why,” she says. “At the end of the day, people just want to know if a person has the skills and availability to do the job.”
Keep your explanation brief and positive. Be honest about the length of time off and avoid badmouthing past employers, Tuazon says. At the same time, don’t feel like you need to share too much detail. An example explanation could be: We had a volunteer redundancy and I thought it was a great opportunity for me to spend more time with my family.”
Be patient with the process
One thing Lambart says people often underestimate is how long the process will take. She regularly has clients expect to land a new role in a month, but it’s normal to take six to 12 months, especially in this job market.
“This can cause people to lose confidence and question whether it’s the right thing to do,” says Lambart. “It’s important to surround yourself with a support team.”
During this time, it can also help to explore temp work or volunteering to build your skills, confidence and relevant experience again, especially if you’ve been out of work for a decade or more.
Avoid putting pressure on yourself to find the perfect job if it’s your first one back. “It might not happen immediately,” says Tuazon. “Consider saying yes to something that’s even short-term so you can get back in the groove. Then, the best one might come a few years later.”
The same advice applies when you’ve landed a new role. Remember, it’s normal to find it hard when you’re readjusting, says Tuazon. Be patient with yourself, lean on the support of others, and give yourself plenty of time to get used to the change.
Many people successfully return to the workforce after an extended break. With a good support network, the right preparation and plenty of patience for the process, you can reboot your career with confidence.
