Coming Back After a Long Career Break

This topic is personal for me. I was moving up the HR ranks at a nonprofit, then I had a baby and everything shifted. I’m sure many of you can relate.

I tried to keep working. For two years I pushed through, with my daughter often one of the first kids to arrive at daycare and one of the last to leave. Some days I’d text my husband to race me there, just to see if one of us could make it before closing. I spent very little waking time with my daughter during the week.

So I stepped away from my career and became a stay-at-home mom. For eight years.

It was the best thing I’ve ever done for myself and my family. I’ll always be grateful I had that time with my kids.

But wow, it’s tough to come back from a career break.

When I was ready to return, I got lucky. My sister-in-law introduced me to an HR executive who needed someone to update their recruitment program. A couple of conversations later, I was in. It wasn’t perfect. The role was part time, hourly, and I wasn’t making anywhere near what I had before, but it was a great way to break back in to working.

Most people aren’t that lucky when coming back after years away. It’s tough out there.

So what can you do? A lot, actually. And if you’re still away from work, some of it can start now:

• Volunteer in ways that connect to your career.

• Take classes to stay up to date on industry trends.

• Have coffee dates with former coworkers to keep your network alive.

• Join a rotary club or another professional group to meet new people.

• Stay active on LinkedIn by celebrating others’ wins and adding your perspective in conversations.

  
  

When you’re ready to go back, those experiences help show you’ve still got it. My resume included volunteer activities, and in interviews I talked about how I helped people with resumes while at home. I wanted to prove I hadn’t lost my knowledge.

Now, if life with a sick parent, disabled child, or other responsibility has kept you so busy that you couldn’t do those things, don’t worry. Once you’re ready to return, here’s how to restart:

• Look for groups like iRelaunch that offer advice and networking for people re-entering the workforce.

• Be brave and ask friends for introductions. Invite new contacts out for coffee.

• Get active on networking groups or LinkedIn. Visibility matters.

• Revamp your resume. It’s perfectly fine to note your career break and what you were doing during that time.

• Practice interviewing. Don’t go in cold. Work with a consultant (ahem), ask a friend to role play, or study resources online.

• Update your wardrobe a little. A fresh outfit can boost your confidence in interviews.

• Have a frank conversation with yourself. Are you aiming for the same role you had when you left, or are you willing to work your way back up? Do you even want to stay in the same industry, or have your interests changed?

It can be done. I once worked with an accounting director who had been out of the workforce for 18 years and came back strong.

You can do this too. And if you need support, I’m here to help. Now get out there!