A Comeback After a Career Break: Your Guide to Returning to the Workforce

Life happens. Whether you stepped away from your career to raise children, care for an aging parent, focus on your mental health, recover from a personal illness, or simply needed a pause, returning to the workforce can feel both exciting and daunting. The good news? With the right strategy and mindset, you can make a successful comeback. Let’s break it down.

Step 1: Acknowledge the Emotions

Before diving into resumes and job boards, take a moment to honor how you’re feeling. Returning to work, especially after maternity leave (or paternity leave), can stir up a mix of excitement, guilt, anxiety and hope. It’s normal to feel all the things—just know you’re not alone. Recognizing these emotions is a powerful first step to moving forward with clarity and confidence.

Step 2: Reframe Your Story

Instead of viewing your career break as a setback, think of it as a chapter filled with growth, learning, and resilience. Potential employers are often more interested in how you’ve evolved during your time away than the fact that you took a break.

For moms or dads returning after raising children or taking parental leave, highlight transferable skills like multitasking, problem-solving, and time management. If you stepped away to care for a family member, discuss how that experience enhanced your empathy, organization, and ability to navigate challenging situations. For those who took a break for mental health, a personal illness, or recovery, frame it as a time of growth that has made you more focused and resilient.

Pro Tip: Practice how you’ll address your career break during interviews. Keep it concise, positive, and focused on your readiness to re-enter the workforce. Remember, you have the opportunity to shape the story here, so don't allow others to do that for you. 

Step 3: Update Your Skills

The professional landscape evolves quickly, and it’s essential to stay current. Here’s how to brush up:

1. Identify Gaps: Research your desired industry to understand current trends, technologies, or certifications.

2. Upskill: Take online courses, attend workshops, or enroll in certification programs. Platforms like LinkedIn Learning, or industry-specific sites can be invaluable. Check out your local Community College or University for certificate programs and bootcamps as well. 

3. Volunteer or Freelance: If possible, take on short-term projects to refresh your skills and build confidence.

Step 4: Revamp Your Resume

Your resume should tell a compelling story of your career journey—break included. Here’s how:

• Use a Functional Format: Focus on skills and achievements rather than a strict chronological timeline.

• Highlight Relevant Experience: Include volunteer work, freelance projects, or any roles that kept you engaged during your break.

• Showcase Soft Skills: Attributes like adaptability, problem-solving, and communication are often honed during a career break.

Step 5: Network Like a Pro

Your professional network is one of your greatest assets. Reconnecting can open doors to opportunities and valuable advice.

• Reconnect: Reach out to former colleagues, mentors, or classmates to let them know you’re re-entering the workforce.

• Expand: Join professional organizations, attend industry events, or participate in online communities.

• Leverage LinkedIn: Update your profile, share industry-relevant content, and engage with posts to stay visible.

Step 6: Leverage Career Coaching

Returning to work after a break often requires guidance and clarity. A career coach can:

• Help you identify your strengths and align them with career opportunities.

• Provide resume and interview prep tailored to your unique story.

• Offer accountability and support during your job search.

Step 7: Be Patient and Persistent

Re-entering the workforce takes time, but persistence pays off. Set realistic goals, celebrate small wins, and stay adaptable. Remember, the right opportunity is worth the wait.

Navigating Specific Scenarios

Returning After Maternity or Paternity Leave

Coming back to work after maternity or paternity leave brings its own unique challenges. Beyond logistical concerns like childcare, many parents grapple with confidence, shifting priorities, and the dreaded "career gap" perception. Here is some food for thought: 

1. Communicate Clearly: Speak with your employer about your return timeline, schedule, and any flexibility needs.

2. Rebuild Confidence: Reflect on the skills you’ve gained during parental leave, such as time management, problem-solving, and multitasking.

3. Set Boundaries: Be clear about your work-life balance expectations to ensure a smoother transition.

4. Find Support: Connect with parent-focused professional groups or mentors who’ve navigated similar transitions.

Pro Tip: Remember, taking time for family doesn’t diminish your value as a professional—it enhances it.

Returning After a Personal Illness

If you’ve taken a career break to recover from a personal illness, your health journey has likely strengthened you in ways that are both personal and professional. Here’s how to address it:

1. Emphasize Resilience: Share how overcoming challenges during your illness has honed your problem-solving, perseverance, and adaptability.

2. Focus on the Present: Keep conversations with potential employers focused on your current readiness and enthusiasm for returning to work. Also know, you aren't obligated to share any details that you don't feel comfortable sharing. 

3. Seek Supportive Workplaces: Look for companies with strong wellness programs or a culture of inclusion and understanding.

Pro Tip: It’s okay to set boundaries about how much of your personal story you share. Keep the focus on what you bring to the table.

Final Thoughts

Returning to work after a career break isn’t about starting over; it’s about building on the experiences that make you uniquely qualified. Whether you’ve spent time raising a family, caring for loved ones, focusing on your mental health, or recovering from illness, your journey adds value to any workplace.

If you’re ready to kickstart your comeback, consider reaching out for career coaching through Joy of Work. Let’s create a plan to help you step back into the workforce with confidence and purpose.