6 Best Tips For Women To Work After A Career Break

So, you have hit a pause on your career for some reason. Whatever the reason, it’s just a pause, not a full stop, and you are not alone in this situation. The most common reasons to take a career break are family responsibilities, health concerns, and personal growth.

According to a survey, about 78% of working women are taking career breaks for multiple purposes like planning career change, improving well-being, boosting confidence, upskilling, etc.

Returning to work after a career break can be daunting, especially for those who have taken a break for years. Crossing this ‘career gap’ bridge is more mental work than physical. Therefore, it is critical to develop a comprehensive strategy to restart again.

We are sharing a few career break tips for women who took a temporary gap in their careers to help them get back to work with more zeal and enthusiasm.

Let’s dive straight into it!

1. Confidence is the key

You must understand that you should not be embarrassed, apologetic, and under-confident about your career gap. You have not done anything wrong to feel guilty about. Just because you took a gap, it doesn't make you less qualified or a misfit for the job. Only when you get this thought out of your head will you gain the confidence to achieve success. And once you do it, you will realise how easy it was.

 2. Evaluate your present situation

Do not start the process by applying for jobs randomly; first, evaluate the job you want. Understand what you want from the new job, what are your expectations regarding salary, working hours, location, responsibilities, etc. Assess your situation; for example, if you are a new mother, you might prefer a more flexible or remote job to get more time at home with the new baby. And once you have answered this question and evaluated your responses and options, then only move forward.

3. Build your network

Connect with people who are in the same industry. Join social media sites like LinkedIn and start socializing with like-minded people. All in all, establish meaningful and valuable connections. Search for industry leaders, influencers, CEOs , and managers who talk about industry happenings, the latest trends, jobs, careers, etc. Also, start participating in events, meets, webinars, seminars, and conferences to build your network. QWEEN is a platform to network and connect with other women who are in the same phase. QWEEN also connects you with corporates who are looking for diversity candidates and are offering returnship programs.

 4. Upskill yourself

Due to technological advancement and high competition, keeping yourself abreast with the latest knowledge and skills is imperative. Earning a certification in a specific field is the best way to show dedication to that changed career option. It also showcases your credibility in the eye of the potential employer. Many sites offer short and long-term certification courses. QWEEN has partnered with many training companies who are offering scholarships and even free trainings to women who are looking to make a comeback.

 5. Update your resume strategically

Don't hide your career gap. Do follow a strategy to update your resume in such a manner that it highlights your skills. Also, ensure that your resume is ATS-friendly by including job-specific keywords. And remember to include any relevant experience you gained during the break, like freelancing, internship, consulting, or any other volunteering work. Also, add certificates, online courses, and projects you completed during the gap in your resume.

 Pro tip - Build a functional resume. This is the best way to concentrate more on your skills and avoid including a lengthy work history on your resume.

6. Prepare for interview

The interview is the last step you must clear to get hired for your desired job. So, research on the company, job role requirements, and interview questions and prepare thoroughly for it. Try watching mock interview videos to understand the type of questions you might get from the interviewer. Be sure to gain knowledge on all the happenings in your industry to avoid any blank-looks. The better you are prepared for the interview, the more confident you will appear.

Conclusion

Nothing is too complicated for a woman with purpose. With the help of these tips, you can conveniently overcome the hurdle of the career gap. If any women out there has tips to add to the list, we would like to hear them. Do share your thoughts in the comment section!

All the women who have chosen to resume their careers after a break are welcome at QWEEN. Our platform offers a lot of opportunities for you. Simply sign up on www.qween.in and apply for positions that interest you.

Your next big opportunity is just next door. Grab it!!

Women's Return in Tech (W.R.I.T Program) - Re-enter the world of work with ease

Whether you've been away from work for 6 months or 15 years, our new initiative "Women's Return in Tech" program gives you the work opportunity and training needed to relaunch your career.

QWEEN in association with TNS India Foundation has taken this initiative to provide work opportunities to women on a career break to get back to their tech careers.

Eligibility Criteria ✅

●     Should not be a fresh graduate

●     Minimum 2+ yrs of experience with matching skill sets

●     Career gap of 6 months to 15 yrs

●     Good communication skills are a plus

Your next big opportunity is just 3 steps away -

1) Go to our page - https://qween.in/returnintech

2) Fill your details correctly

3) Upload your resume

If you’re ready to get back into the workforce, then this is the right opportunity to grab.