Manage your job search during a career break – and how to explain a career break in an interview

Life is filled with surprises and changes and sometimes, you find yourself taking a career break. Whether it's for personal reasons, family responsibilities or study, career breaks are a common part of many people’s careers. But what happens when you’re considering going back into the workforce? How do you navigate the job search when you’re having a career break? Here are some top tips to assist you on this journey.

Your career goals - what are you passionate about?

Take the time to consider your career goals, passions, and priorities. Are you looking to return to your previous industry or transition to a new industry? Having a break can give you a unique and fresh perspective, so leverage the opportunity and use this time to clearly define your objectives to prepare you and set you up for success.

Consider upskilling and volunteering

Depending on the length of your career break and the industry you are wanting to explore returning to, industry trends may have changed, and entry requirements may differ. Consider taking courses (there are lots of free courses available online), attending webinars or seminars to update your skills and demonstrate your commitment to professional growth. Look for volunteer opportunities to gain valuable experience to add to your resume.

Update your resume and LinkedIn Profile

Create a resume that highlights your past experiences and emphasizes transferable skills. It doesn’t need to be long winded or fancy – a clear and easy to read format is all you need and lots of templates are available for free on Microsoft Word or Canva. Update your LinkedIn profile to highlight your career journey and don't shy away from mentioning any volunteer work, interim roles, or relatable study or projects you have or are completing.

Connect, chat and network!

Reconnect with former colleagues, mentors, and industry contacts. Mention to your friends and family that you may be looking to re-enter the workforce. Never underestimate how a simple conversation can open doors to job opportunities.

Prepare, prepare, prepare!

Whether it is a phone interview or face to face interview, it’s important to be prepared! Do your research about companies you may wish to apply for and be ready to address the career gap in interviews.  

Be honest in acknowledging the career gap including the reason (eg health issues, education, travel, family responsibilities etc). Speak to the skills you’ve learned during the break (including relatable life skills) and how this has impacted you, your perspective and your readiness to rejoin the workforce.  For example, “I took a break from my career to care for a family member but during that time I stayed education with [include relevant activities eg freelance work, volunteering]”. By having a brief explanation for your career break, how you used the time productively and highlighting your new skills will allow them to see the value in hiring a candidate who has taken a break.

Remember the 3 P’s

Re-entering the workforce after a career break can be challenging and at times seem overwhelming! It may also take some time to find the right role for you.  It is key to remember the 3 P’s – stay positive, be patient, and remain persistent in your search.

Looking for a new opportunity? We’d love to hear from you! Check out our careers page and register your interest in working at the NRMA Group to be notified of any jobs that may become available.