Women: Rock Your Return to Work After a Career Break!

When you’re ready to dive back into the workforce, whether your break was a few months, years or decades, “A comeback career can play a large role in shoring up your financial security,” says Jen Auerbach-Rodriguez, head of Strategic Growth Markets at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Use the tips below to start your job search—and after you’re hired, consult with a financial advisor to create a plan that can help you make the most of your salary and benefits to boost your retirement savings.

Picture the job you want. “Be honest with yourself about what kind of work you want to do now,” says Carol Fishman Cohen, CEO and co-founder of iRelaunch, a career re-entry firm that works with employers to build return-to-work programs hiring career re-launchers. That could mean a totally different career, especially if your former one is no longer compatible with your lifestyle or your interests have moved in another direction.

This is a good time to reflect on your career trajectory so far and consider what’s most important to you. Start by making a list of your job “musts” and then see how that aligns with the jobs you’ve been searching for. After a career break, you may feel that doing something you love is more important than earning a higher paycheck, but you’ll want to consider how that will affect your day-to-day life.

On the other hand, if you find that a larger paycheck is at the top of your “musts” list, you’ll want to factor that into your job search early on. Ask your financial advisor to calculate how new work-related expenses will impact your budget (will you need to pay for childcare?), and to run the numbers on the effect of a longer break, if it takes you a while to find the right fit.

Have a family meeting. Sit down with your family members to discuss what type of job would work best for your situation. Is a flexible schedule important for you? Do you need to be home a few days a week if your children have a hybrid schedule? You may not want to worry your family members about any concerns you may have about your return to the workforce, but keeping an open line of communication is key. “Parents and children should be part of regular family meetings about how life will change for the whole family when you go back to work,” says Cohen.

The beginning of a job search is also a good time to have an honest conversation with your spouse, and financial advisor, about your household budget. If you’re only considering full-time work, you may be surprised to uncover that a part-time job is a better fit for your particular scenario, or vice versa. “Post-pandemic, more roles will not be location-specific or will remain permanently remote, creating flexibility around how and when the work gets done,” says Cohen.

Refresh your network. Most jobs are landed through people you know, which amplifies the importance of keeping an active network, according to Cohen. Reach out to former colleagues via online social platforms, then offer to “meet up” for a virtual coffee chat. Also, get involved in professional groups online so that you can connect with working professionals in your industry to learn about where the opportunities are and find out what may have changed in the industry. Look for virtual networking events in your field. Many professional organizations are adapting trade shows, conferences and in-person happy hours into structured virtual sessions online.

Remember, too, that your network doesn’t end with your professional contacts. Think about everywhere you’re involved outside of the workplace, whether that’s community groups, your alumni chapter or charitable organizations. And don’t forget junior people who have likely moved up the ladder while you’ve been on your career break, adds Cohen. After taking an 11-year career break herself, she initially returned to a company run by someone who'd been junior to her when they'd worked together before.

Practice your personal ‘elevator pitch.’ Feeling out of practice and a little unsure of your skills is common among re-launchers, says Auerbach-Rodriguez. “Possibly the hardest part of this is the emotional journey of the transition.” Consider working with a career coach, who is able to offer targeted insights on re-entering the workforce. You’ll also want to schedule a virtual meeting with a job recruiter, who will be able to shed invaluable insight on the job market and can help you present yourself in the best light. Think of this meeting as an informational interview. Besides learning about opportunities, this conversation will get you in the habit of putting on your professional game face and talking about what you can bring to the job.

Finally, spend some time crafting your message so that you’re specific about what you’re looking for. Employers will want to see that you’ve done your research on the company and can explain in detail how you’ll fit into their organization going forward. Be honest about the reasons for your career break, both on your resume and in interviews, and don’t sell yourself short. Share your passions and past career accomplishments and show that you’ve kept up with developments in your field.