Returning to work after a break can be challenging. While it is often women who face the challenge having stepped away from their careers to take on caregiving responsibilities, there are a broad range of reasons people take career breaks - affecting people of all genders, ages and stages of their career. In addition to caring for children, elderly parents or family members with specific needs, people will pause to pursue further education, change the direction of their career, recover from illness or injury, address mental health needs, or cope with bereavement. Sometimes, a career break is needed to support a partner relocating overseas. Even those who retire may return, finding they still have a passion to contribute their skills.
If you’re planning to return after time away from the workforce, take heart, you’re not alone. A LinkedIn survey of 23,000 employees revealed that nearly 62% have taken a career break, and 35% would be open to taking one in the future. While some employers still approach career breaks with caution, attitudes are shifting, with many seeing these candidates as an untapped talent pool. It’s important to understand the value you bring, frame your experience confidently, and communicate it effectively.
Reflection
Prior to your return it is helpful to reflect on your growth and learning over your break. Your job priorities may have shifted, and the employment landscape may have changed in the time since your last employment. Preparing for the next step means recognising new skills you may have gained or strengthened during your break and identifying any skill gaps. For example, taking on roles such as board positions may have developed your governance skills, people leadership or deepened your financial literacy.
Take time to consider your experiences during your career break, and how they have contributed to your personal and professional development over that time.
Planning
Following a break, there is an opportunity to decide on your direction. While we are often told to follow our passion, this alone is not always the best advice. It’s equally important to consider the unique value you bring and where your strengths lie. Finding the intersection of what you enjoy doing, and what you’re skilled at will set you up for a role where you can thrive and be recognised for your contribution.
One way to identify this is to look over previous roles - paid and unpaid and identify the skills you brought to each one. Consider the aspects of these roles you enjoyed the most and find where these crossover. This is a great place to start for providing direction for the next phase of your career.
When thinking about potential roles, consider what you prioritise now and how that might differ from before your career break. Below are a few areas to think about, though you may have others that are equally important:
Flexibility - how much flexibility am I looking for in terms of where I work, how often I work, which hours I work, and the ability to take additional unpaid leave.
Job satisfaction - what am I looking for from my career, organisation, and team? This is different from person to person, and changes over time. It may be the challenge of the work, opportunities for development and promotion, being part of a team, or the chance to make a difference, to name just a few.
Compensation - Salary is just one part of the package. Look at other elements too, such as healthcare, superannuation contributions, wellbeing benefits, a company car or travel allowances to get a fuller appreciation of the total compensation package.
Culture - Understand what you value in a company culture so that when you apply for a position, you know what you are looking for.
Knowing your priorities will help you evaluate job options and ask relevant questions in interviews. You may need to make compromises initially, so think carefully about which aspects matter most to you. Even if a trade-off is necessary, don’t worry! Future opportunities will allow you to make adjustments, and taking a step forward can take your career in the direction you wish.
The Role of Values
Returning to work after a career break can be a significant life transition. As you navigate this new phase, prioritising your values is crucial. By understanding your core beliefs and what truly matters to you, you can make informed decisions that align with your personal and professional goals.
While your values may evolve over your lifetime, they remain a consistent compass guiding your choices. When considering a new role, ask yourself: Does this opportunity resonate with my values? Will it contribute to my overall well-being? By aligning your career with your values, you’ll increase your job satisfaction and long-term fulfilment.
To effectively align your career with your values, it's essential to clarify your values and prioritise them. While this is a complicated task and requires a thoughtful and skilled approach, it can be achieved through introspection and self-reflection, enabling you to identify the core beliefs that guide your decisions and actions. By prioritising these values, you can make informed choices that contribute to your overall well-being and job satisfaction. Tools like journaling, meditation, or value clarification exercises can help you uncover your deepest values and understand their significance in your life. Alternatively, engaging with a reputable career coach can provide valuable guidance and support throughout this process.
The Power of Connections
Despite the huge impact technology has had on every aspect of business, including recruitment, it is amazing what a role connections and relationships can play in your return to work. Your professional network can be a valuable asset in your job search. Reach out to former colleagues, mentors, and industry contacts, attend industry events and use platforms like LinkedIn to connect with like-minded individuals. Don’t overlook the value of your community network, sports teams, or cultural groups. You might even consider joining new organisations to expand your network. Once you start reaching out, it can be surprising how quickly your network can grow.
Support for Your Journey
Returning to the workforce can be daunting yet exciting. It’s not something many of us do often, and while friends’ advice is valuable, each experience is unique.
Engaging a certified professional career coach can make a big difference and provide invaluable support throughout your transition. They can help you define your core values, identify your strengths and weaknesses, clarify your goals, develop effective job search strategies, build your confidence, ensure your CV and LinkedIn profile reflects your objectives, and prepare for interviews and presentations. Even better, if your career coach has people, culture and recruitment expertise, they can help you meet the needs of today’s market.
If you’re considering a return to work following a career break, let us help you navigate this transition. Get in touch today to learn about our personalised career coaching programmes from an Internationally accredited coach.