How to restart your career after a break

Whether it’s spending time looking after family or recovering from an illness, many of us will take a career break at some point in our lives.

Returning to the workforce after time away can be daunting and often comes with challenges, from rebuilding confidence to addressing gaps in your recent experience.

However, with the right preparation, re-entering the workforce can become a far more manageable process.

So, how do you restart your career after a break?

How to restart your career after a break

Determine your focus

One of the most important things to do is assess the situation and focus on your needs.

Think about the skills and experience you bring to a prospective employer. Consider if these have changed since you were last in work.

It’s also important to think about your motivations and the types of industries you are interested in working in.

Determining what you want from a new position can help you to narrow your job search.

Update your resume

If you have been out of work for a bit, make sure to update your resume. Emphasise any transferable skills you might have developed even while not working. It’s important to highlight what you have achieved during your break, whether that be further study or volunteer work.

You can also optimise your resume by using keywords based on the type of role you want.

Many people can find updating their resume a challenging process. In this case, you can seek advice from experienced colleagues, recruiters or even a professional resume writing service.

When updating your resume, make sure you also update your online profiles, such as LinkedIn, to maintain consistency. If your resume and online profiles aren’t consistent this can raise red flags amongst potential employers.

Build your networks

One of the best ways you can assist your job search is by building and maintaining your professional network.
By expanding your network, you can open yourself up to opportunities you might not have even thought of.
Attending industry events can help you to develop connections with others with similar backgrounds or interests.
You should also try and maintain contact with former colleagues.

It’s also important that you keep your existing network up to date with your job search.

Be ready to explain

It’s important you are able to explain any career gaps you may have.

Employers want to know you have the skills and experience for the job.

However, you don’t have to share too much details. For example, you could simply state that you lost your job and were spending time raising your family.

Be patient with the process

It may take longer than some people expect to find a new role. Many people expect to land a role in a month. However, experts warn that six to twelve months may be a more realistic timeframe.

Returning to work after a career break can take time, preparation and persistence. While the process may feel challenging at first, taking proactive steps to refresh your application materials and rebuild your confidence can significantly improve your chances of securing the right opportunity. Presenting your experience effectively is particularly important when re-entering a competitive job market.

Are you looking for a new career? Selection Criteria Writers can help. We are pleased to offer various services including our resume writing service and LinkedIn profile writing service.

Article References

Birt, J (16 December 2025) ‘8 Steps for Reentering the Workforce After a Long Absence’, Indeed, accessed 16 April 2026.

Seek (18 February 2026) ‘How to restart your career after a break’, Seek, accessed 16 April 2026.