Returning to work after a break can feel daunting. This guide shares tips to rebuild confidence, refresh skills, and ease back into employment.

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A practical guide for parents, carers, and career changers.

Taking time out of work is completely normal—whether it’s to care for children, support a loved one, manage your health, study, or take stock of your career. But returning to work after a break can feel daunting.

Many people worry about how to explain a gap on their CV, whether their skills are still relevant, or how to rebuild confidence. The good news? You’re not starting from scratch. You’ve gained valuable experience during your time away, and with the right support and preparation, you can step back into work with confidence.

This guide will help you prepare for your return—practically and emotionally. It includes tips on CVs, interviews, dealing with self-doubt, and finding employers that welcome returners.

Be clear about what you want next 🪜

Before diving into applications, take a moment to reflect on what you want from your next role. Ask yourself:

• What type of work do I enjoy?
• Do I want to return to the same industry or try something new?
• Do I need flexible hours or remote working?
• What skills do I want to use more—or less—this time around?

You don’t need all the answers immediately, but being clear on your priorities will help focus your job search and avoid roles that don’t meet your needs.

Reframe your career break 🖼️

A gap on your CV isn’t a red flag—it’s part of your story. Whether you were raising children, providing care, recovering from illness, or reassessing your career, that time likely developed key skills such as:

• Time management
• Problem-solving
• Emotional intelligence
• Organisation
• Adaptability

Instead of trying to hide your break, explain it briefly and confidently. Here’s an example:

“During a planned career break to care for a family member, I developed strong organisational and multitasking skills. I’m now looking forward to returning to a role where I can apply my experience and contribute to a values-led team.”

Be honest but positive—there’s no need to go into personal details.

Refresh and rebuild your CV ✍️

When updating your CV:

• Include your career break like any other role, especially if you were volunteering, studying, or developing new skills.
• Focus on transferable skills gained during the break as well as in previous jobs.
• Use a profile section at the top of your CV to highlight your strengths and what you’re looking for.

Need help writing your CV? Check out our guide How to write a CV and cover letter guide for tips and templates.

Build confidence for interviews 💼

Returning to interviews after time away can feel intimidating, but preparation makes a big difference.

• Practise your answers out loud, especially to questions like “Why the career break?” and “Why now?”
• Use examples from both your previous work and your time away. They all count.
• Ask questions about flexibility, support, or training—these are valid and help you assess if the role is right for you.
• Be kind to yourself. Confidence comes back with time. Don’t be discouraged if the first few interviews are tough.

You can also read our How to nail your interview with easy tips and techniques guide to help you prepare.

Look for returner-friendly employers 😊

Some employers run specific returnship programmes or are openly supportive of people returning after time away. Here’s what to look for:

• Roles marked as suitable for returners
• Companies signed up to inclusive hiring charters
• Job adverts that mention flexible working, phased onboarding, or re-skilling
• Supportive language on their careers page

Recruiters who understand career gaps and value transferable skills will be more likely to recognise your potential. At Diversifying.io, we only work with employers committed to inclusive recruitment—so you’re already in the right place.

Rebuild your network 🤝

If you’ve been away from work for a while, your professional network might need a refresh—but it’s easier than you think.

• Reconnect on LinkedIn. Reach out to former colleagues or mentors. Let them know you’re exploring new opportunities.
• Join groups or forums related to your industry or interests.
• Look for local events, online meetups, or webinars to get back into the loop.

Networking can feel awkward or nerve-wracking. Try starting with a question—it takes the pressure off and gets the conversation flowing.

Know your rights 🧠

When returning to work, it’s important to understand your rights.

• You don’t have to disclose details of your break unless you want to.
• It’s unlawful for employers to discriminate against you based on caring responsibilities, health conditions, or time out of work.
• You can request flexible working from day one of employment (as of April 2024 in the UK).

For support on requesting adjustments at work, download our How to ask for reasonable adjustments guide.

You’re not behind. Returning to work is a transition, and like all transitions, it takes time. Your experience—both in and out of work—has value. You bring skills, resilience, and perspective that any decent employer would want.

Use this guide to help you prepare, but go at your own pace. And remember, you’re not alone.

Check out Diversifying.io for inclusive opportunities, or get in touch if you'd like tailored advice on your next step.

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