Tips to Get Back to Work After a Career Break

Returning to work after a career break is fraught with difficulties, making it seem like an extremely daunting task. A career break refers to time spent away from your job, which can occur due to a variety of reasons which might include focusing on a new career, learning new skills, obtaining a new perspective, personal concerns, or simply reconnecting with life. Whatever the reasons might be, or whether the gap was planned or unplanned, one thing is certain: taking time off work is not prevalent. As a result, returning to work after a brief gap might be difficult, not just because recruiters majorly focus on the gap, but also because you may have lost touch with your work. That is why it is critical for you to understand how you may ease the transition of getting back into work after a break.

How to return to work after a career break

If you are having difficulty or do not know where to begin, here are a few pointers to help you understand how to return to work after a career break and make the process easier:

1. Be willing to venture out of your comfort zone

Returning to work after a career break necessitates stepping outside of your comfort zone as a career break causes you to lose touch with your work. As a result, in order to get a job, you must be willing to step out of your comfort zone. It will undoubtedly be difficult to adjust to the new workloads at first, but you will eventually catch up once a routine gets built up. It is critical that you avoid procrastination and push yourself out of your comfort zone wherever necessary. This will help you to build a routine in order to adjust to the new beginning of your work life.

2. Analyze what you want out of your job

Before you begin the process of looking for a job, you must first determine what you truly want from your job and then look for it. Take the time to consider why you want to work again, your passions and skills, and the factors that led you to take a career break in order to confidently choose a gratifying and fulfilling job for yourself. Keep in mind your own needs, whether they are salary requirements, flexible hours, or anything else. Once you have made your decision, begin looking for jobs that meet your needs.

3. Update your resume

To increase your chances of landing a job, you must have a strong resume. One of the primary reasons why landing a job after a career break is difficult is that recruiters focus heavily on the gap. As a result, explaining a valid reason for why that break occurred is critical. In order to de-emphasize the gap in your employment history, you may mention specific skills which you have acquired during your break, any projects that you completed, a new opportunity that you may have tried, or any other valid reason in your resume. This will cause recruiters to view the break as a productive time period spent rather than just a gap in your career.

4. Familiarize yourself with the latest industry trends

Whether you intend to return to the same industry where you previously worked or to try your skills in a different industry, it is critical that you are familiar with the latest ongoing trends in that particular domain. Spend some time researching companies, various job opportunities, and salary ranges that are available. While this can assist you in locating opportunities that interest you, it may also lead you to another industry with more opportunities. Being up-to-date on the latest needs of the industry can help justify or navigate the negativity surrounding your career break and can greatly assist you during your interviews.

5. Reconnect with your former peers

It is a good idea to notify your former coworkers and peers that you are looking to return to work because they can not only provide you with the most up-to-date industry outlooks but also introduce you to opportunities that arise or provide employment references. They may also be able to put you in touch with potential job leads, making your job search even easier. This will assist you in gathering important job search and interview tips, making the entire process a little easier for you.

6. Brace for interviews

A good interview session is one of the most important factors in determining whether or not you will get a job. As a result, it is critical that you improve your interview skills. One of the most important things you must plan for is how you will address your employment gap, as this is critical. Consider preparing for the industry-specific questions as well. This will help boost your confidence during the interview, reducing the chances of something going wrong due to nervousness.

7. Have confidence in yourself

Returning to work after a career break can be a daunting task. However, it is critical that you maintain your confidence throughout the process of searching, applying, and interviewing. Make sure not to think of your career break as something that will affect your chances of getting a job. Instead, use it to your advantage by explaining it with compelling and valid reasons.

Deciding to return to work is a wise decision that will help you grow both personally and professionally, and a career break should not prevent you from doing so. There will undoubtedly be some challenges to overcome when returning to work after a career break, which you must be aware of and prepared for beforehand. As a result, it is critical that you understand how you can make the transition to a new job easier. The tips given above will undoubtedly help you deal with the challenges that might inevitably arise while looking for a job after a career break.