How to get back to job after a long career break

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How to get back to job? How to get back to job after a long career break?

Have you taken a career break to start a family or for your little one? 

A career break is a problematic and most challenging situation to face for a working mom during this beautiful phase of a woman’s life (maternity).

Some working women resign from their job to stay with their young ones. 

According to the research, around 4% of employees have taken a career break of six months or more. This research also revealed that 73% of women took a career break for ‘family reasons,’ whereas 47% of males took a break for ‘personal reasons.

But after those beautiful moments, they find it challenging to come back to work. Getting a job after a break for women is very difficult.

Why do Moms are not Coming Back to WorkForce?

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I have seen many of my beloved friends struggling to get a new job. They go for new courses, new programs, etc.

The most common reasons women not returning to their careers are not returning to expected career growth or development.

If you want your cooperative environment, then you must be prepared as early as possible. Or you can go for work from home options such as your own business or remote work.

Why Getting back to work after a long break having a baby is a little challenging?

1. Overcoming the lack of confidence.
2.  Scarier due to overthinking of new work and managing home with the baby.
3. Lack of updating the skills and forgetting all of it.
4. Not getting time due to so many responsibilities ( Cooking, cleaning, caring)
5. Less maternity leave, no remote working facilities.

Getting a job can be daunting enough, but it can be even more unnerving once you’ve taken a break from work.

You may feel anxious about starting a new job, or you may worry that your skills are a little rusty because a lot has changed since you’ve been away from the workplace.

Use these tips to boost your self-confidence, revamp your resume, and get yourself up-to-speed on any changes in your industry. 

5 Simple Tips to Prepare Going Back to Work After a Break

1. Analyse About Yourself and Your Family

Firstly you have to think about what you want and why you like it? Do you want to go back to what you were doing before or something different or fulfil your passion?

Secondly, think about your family priorities, such as kids, if they are school going or hiring a nanny for taking care of kids.

When creating a schedule that works for you, think about the best way to balance work and personal life.

 Therefore it is essential to take some time to assess your situation first and decide what you want.

Open your mind and think that what was suitable for you before your career break may not be the best fit for you now.

Finally, I also suggest you think about your availability of time, salary and working hours you get.

2. Accept the reality of a non-existing perfect work-life balance

Always accept that there is no perfect work-life balance. 

You probably imagine having an extremely productive day at work and leaving early to spend the other half of the day with family.

While this may seem ideal, it is not always possible. 

Your children may need you. Other times, you may need to travel for work, but allowing yourself to remain open to redirecting and evaluating your needs on any day is critical in finding balance.

3. Reach Out to and Rebuild Your Network

Photo by Tracy Le Blanc from Pexels

When looking for your first job after a career break, don’t forget to use your existing connections.

Spend some time reaching out to your previous colleagues, clients, friends, and family. Let them know that you’re seeking a new position.

4. Prepare Early as Possible

When you take a career break, the gap can make you lose touch with your field’s updates. This is the reason for the lack of confidence.

Boost your confidence by getting an update about your job industry. You can spend time on it when your baby takes a nap.

a. Re-skill yourself by learning

For a successful interview, not only will you need to project confidence about your decision to stay home, but also in your professional qualifications and ability to do the job.

You will need to be up-to-date in both technical skills and industry information.

Also have to re-enter the job wondering why everything has changed. Get current industry information by conducting online and offline research, networking, and taking classes.

Reshape your job skills and ready to answer the questions and prepared to answer the questions.

b. Be ready with the correct answer to explain your career break

You may get asked questions directly related to your reentering status.

For example: How have you kept your skills up-to-date? Make sure you do not give any flagrant lie.

Show positive body language. There are many sides to projecting positive body language; here are a few examples:

1. Use a firm and confident handshake.
2. Try not to sit before the interviewer sits down.   
3. No sagging on your chair.   
4. Do not put your hands in your pockets or fold your arms in front of you.   
5. Do not look at the clock, your watch, or your cellphone.   
6. Lean slightly forward to look interested in the conversation.   
7. Speak clearly and confidently.
8. Be Connected

If you have contacts with your former colleagues in your field, you may not have to be shy to stick out. It is time to start reaching out.

Networking is also about helping others. As human beings, we can easily connect with others.

Without these connections, you can become isolated and experience loneliness and even depression.

So the fundamental goal of networking should be to re-invigorate your existing relationships and develop new ones.

Try to connect with others online too. Start by updating your LinkedIn profile or create one to highlight your work experience and skills.

Even if you do not find much help, just getting used to being on the social media platform can prove beneficial.

5. Be Honest and Confident

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Gain good skills while on your career break, then you can try quickly on these lines.

Try not to mumble. For some people, this can be very difficult, because you may feel very nervous. The key to reducing nervousness is practice.

For most people, interviewing is a learned skill and does not come naturally. You can practice interviewing in front of the mirror.

Or, you may ask your spouse or your friend to role-play your interview. It is essential to practice many times so that the interview will seem natural to you.

Knowing you have all the information you need will help you be much more confident, especially during interviews.

Self-confidence is so important that one interview coach says it is the most important thing you can bring to a job interview.

Conclusion

You may get much rejection while interviewing, do not get upset. Your honesty and confidence are essential to achieve this. Try and try, you will reach there!

Keep your needs in mind, whether it is salary requirements, flexible hours, or anything else. Make a list of the must-haves for your next job.

Going back to work can be difficult, but it is easier to believe yourself and work hard for your WHY power. Finally, give the rest to the Lord, and He may take care of it!

So if you’re feeling anxious about bouncing back into the workforce after a career break, remember these tips to put you on the right path with gained confidence.

Are you ready to go back to your work life? Which is your favourite tip for the preparation?

Let me know in the comment box below.

I will see you soon in another blog post.

with

❤️

Nasreen

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