Taking a break from your career to raise a family is one of the most meaningful, stressful and courageous decisions a woman can make. But when the time comes for returning to work after a career ‘break’, it can feel overwhelming. Doubts around skills, confidence, childcare, and identity often surface. If that wasn’t enough the transition from being a SAHM to adding a new routine into place and action is no easy challenge at all.
If you’re a woman preparing to re-enter the workforce after a career gap, know this: you are not behind. You are bringing with you a deep reservoir of resilience, wisdom, and untapped potential. This guide is here to walk you through the process—from updating your CV to managing the emotional transition, and everything in between.
The Emotional Journey: You’re Not Starting Over—You’re Starting Stronger
Returning to work after a career break can stir a mix of emotions—excitement, uncertainty, and even fear. But these feelings are not signs of weakness. They are proof that you care deeply about doing well, for yourself and your family. Have a very honest conversation with yourself, what can you really manage. Is it going back to work full time ? is remote working a requirement ? Once you are clear on what your own needs are, it will definitely help in streaming down looking for roles that will compliment your life.
It’s completely normal to wonder if you’re still “good enough” or worry about how your children will cope, especially if they have never known any different. But it’s important to recognise that firstly children are super adaptive to change, plus the skills developed while raising a family—time management, negotiation, multitasking, emotional intelligence—are highly transferable and deeply valuable in the modern workplace.
Reframing your narrative is key. You’re not restarting your career. You’re continuing your journey, now with greater clarity, perspective, and purpose.
What Recruiters Want You to Know About Career Gaps
Career gaps used to raise eyebrows, but that is no longer the case. Today’s employers increasingly understand the life stages and choices behind these breaks.
“Recruiters today are far more open to career breaks—especially when candidates can show how they used that time productively, even if that meant managing a household,” says Maya Rahman, a senior recruiter at a London-based tech firm. “We want to see adaptability, passion, and readiness to learn.”
When updating your CV, be honest and confident. Include your break just as you would any other role.
Example:
Career Break: Raising a Family (2019–2024)
List any relevant courses, freelance projects, or volunteering you undertook. These demonstrate initiative, growth, and commitment to staying active.
Preparing to Re-enter the Workforce After a Career Break
Update Your CV and LinkedIn
Keep your CV simple, modern, and focused on your strengths. Highlight soft skills and any professional development you’ve done during your break.
Prepare for Interviews
Confidence in interviews comes from preparation. Practise common interview questions and be ready to speak about your career break with clarity and pride. Share what you’ve learned, how you’ve grown, and what you’re excited to bring to a new role.
Upskill Where Needed
Take short courses in your area of interest—whether it’s Excel, digital marketing, coding, or communication. Platforms like Coursera, FutureLearn, and LinkedIn Learning offer flexible learning options for busy women.
Bringing Balance Home: Building Support Systems That Work
One of the key components of returning to work after a career break is ensuring that the household runs in a way that supports your new routine. This doesn’t mean doing it all—it means doing things differently.
Share the Load
Have open conversations with your partner, children, and extended family. Revisit responsibilities and create a more balanced division of chores. Everyone in the household benefits when each member contributes.
Plan Ahead with Batch Cooking
Preparing meals in advance is one of the simplest ways to reduce weekday stress. Set aside a few hours weekly or monthly to prepare and freeze healthy meals. It saves time, money, and energy during busy evenings.
Organise Your Week
Use planners or digital calendars to map out school runs, work hours, appointments, and quiet time for yourself. Visual structure eases mental clutter and builds a sense of control.
Organising Childcare Without Guilt
Choosing the right childcare is a practical and emotional decision. Whether you go with nursery, a nanny, or family support, remember that a well-adjusted, confident mother sets a strong foundation for her children.
Start researching childcare options early. Visit centres in person, ask questions, and trust your instincts. Do trial days before you begin working to help your child (and you) adjust gradually.
When handled with care and planning, childcare becomes a part of your support system—not a compromise.
Preparing Mentally and Emotionally for the Transition
This chapter of life will stretch you in new ways. But it doesn’t have to be hard. With the right mindset and systems, it can feel like a natural progression.
Start with a Grounding Morning Routine
A calm, purposeful start to the day can help you face whatever comes. Whether it’s a quiet cup of tea, prayer, meditation, journaling, or exercise—create a ritual that nourishes you first.
Create a Personal Mission Statement
Define what you want your return to work after a career break to look and feel like. Write down your goals—not just for your job, but for your family, your wellbeing, and your identity.
Find Mentors or Peer Groups
Join networks of women on a similar journey. Being seen, heard, and supported can significantly reduce isolation and self-doubt. Look into groups like Women Returners, Careershifters, or local women’s professional networks.
Rebuilding Confidence Step by Step
Confidence is not something you either have or don’t have. It is built—through action, repetition, and a willingness to learn.
- Keep a list of your small wins and review it weekly.
- Reflect on how far you’ve already come—not how far you think you need to go.
- Replace perfectionism with progress. Every step forward counts.
Career psychologist Dr. Amina Malik puts it best:
“Confidence doesn’t come from knowing you’ll get everything right. It comes from trusting that you can handle whatever comes your way.”
You Deserve This Next Chapter
This isn’t just a return to work—it’s a return to yourself.
You’ve spent years giving, nurturing, and showing up for others. Now, it’s your time to rise with intention, courage, and pride. Your career break doesn’t make you less valuable—it makes you uniquely equipped with resilience, adaptability, and perspective that many can’t teach or train.
Yes, there may be moments of doubt. But those moments will pass. What will stay is your quiet determination and your ability to keep moving forward—one confident step at a time.
You’re not behind. You’re right on time.
So go ahead: update that CV, book that interview, organise the help you need, and walk back into the world with your head high. You’ve already done the hard part—this is your reward.
Your future isn’t waiting. It’s ready when you are. And you, without a doubt, are ready.
Return-to-Work Checklist for Women
- Update your CV and LinkedIn profile
- Practise interviews with confidence
- Upskill with relevant short courses
- Arrange and trial childcare early
- Batch cook for smoother weekdays
- Reassign household responsibilities fairly
- Build a morning routine that grounds you
- Join a peer network or mentoring group
- Track your small wins and build on them
Resources & Useful Links
- Coursera – Online Courses
- FutureLearn – Online Learning Platform
- LinkedIn Learning – Upskill On Demand
- Women Returners – Career Support
- Careershifters – Career Change Help
Final Thoughts: You Can Absolutely Do This
This journey might feel big—but that doesn’t mean it needs to feel hard. Every single task, from finding childcare to preparing for interviews, can be broken down into manageable, achievable steps.
You’ve already proven your strength in the years you stepped back to care for others. That strength hasn’t left you—it’s simply ready for a new purpose.
Give yourself permission to start where you are, use what you have, and go as slowly or as boldly as you choose. You don’t need to be perfect—you just need to be committed.
You are capable. You are qualified. And you are absolutely ready to thrive.
