Returning to work after an extended absence can feel overwhelming and intimidating. Whether you took a break to raise children, care for a family member, navigate health issues, or recover from a layoff, the prospect of reentering the workforce can bring with it a cascade of doubts.
“Can I still do this?”
“Have I lost my skills?”
“How do I explain my employment gap?”
“Will anyone even hire me?”
Those are all real concerns. The good news is the experience you gained before your break didn’t disappear while you were away. You’ll need to be intentional about showing employers what you bring to the table—and explaining the gap they’ll see on your resume.
As you prepare to rejoin the workforce, here are tips to help you feel more confident and get back out there.
Put the Focus Back on Your Skills
After being out of work for a while, it’s easy to focus on what you think you’re missing. Perhaps you’re worried that technology has changed or your certifications aren’t current, or you’ve simply been out of the day-to-day routine.
Start by taking inventory of what you already have. Look back at your previous jobs and make a list of your skills, accomplishments, training, and experience. Then compare that list to the jobs you’re now interested in. You may discover that you have more to offer than you realize.
From there, identify what to refresh. Prudential recommends pinpointing any new skills needed for your target roles, then pursuing training or certifications to fill those gaps. Explore resources available through community colleges, universities, or even your alma mater.
Don’t overlook skills you gained outside of the traditional workplace. Volunteer work, freelance projects, community involvement, caregiving, and other responsibilities may have strengthened your skills in organization, communication, leadership, problem-solving, or time management.
Be Ready to Explain the Resume Gap
If there’s a noticeable gap on your resume, there’s a good chance an interviewer will ask about it. Don’t wait until you’re sitting across from a hiring manager to decide what you’re going to say. Prepare and rehearse a short, honest explanation ahead of time.
Being honest and straightforward about employment gaps, while keeping the explanation professional, is what Cornell University advises. Explaining your resume gap honestly creates trust and refocuses the conversation on your qualifications.
Your answer might be as simple as, “I took several years away from work to focus on my family, and I’m now ready and excited to return to the workforce.” Then move the conversation forward.
Talk about what you’ve done to prepare for your return and, most importantly, what you can bring to this particular position. The goal isn’t to pretend the gap doesn’t exist. It’s to keep it from becoming the most interesting thing about you.
Stay Flexible for the Next Chapter
Your first job back doesn’t have to be your forever job. After a long absence, one of the best ways to rebuild your confidence and recent work history may be simply getting your foot back in the door.
A great approach to this is accepting a temporary or contract assignment while you continue searching for a permanent position. Temporary work gives you an opportunity to refresh your skills, learn new technology, meet people in your industry, and add recent experience to your resume. It can also help you figure out what you want from this next chapter of your career.
Maybe the work you did five years ago is exactly what you want to return to. Or maybe your priorities have changed, and you’re looking for something different. A temporary assignment gives you a chance to explore without making a long-term commitment. Sometimes, that temporary opportunity can lead somewhere you didn’t expect.
Getting Back Out There
Returning to the workplace after an absence can leave you feeling like you’re starting from square one. Give yourself time to get back into the rhythm, but don’t let a gap on your resume convince you that you have to start your career from scratch.
You also don’t have to navigate the process alone. A staffing expert can help you identify opportunities that match your skills and experience, prepare for interviews, and even explore temporary assignments that can help you make the transition back into the workforce.
About Express Employment Professionals
At Express Employment Professionals, we’re in the business of people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Our international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, employing more than 11 million since its inception. Learn more at ExpressPros.com or ExpressPros.ca.
