🔄 Return to Work Guide

Coming back after a career break? You've got this. Here's your roadmap.

Career breaks are normal — and increasingly valued.73% of Irish employers say they'd hire someone returning from a career break. Your life experience, resilience, and fresh perspective are assets, not liabilities.

📝 CV Strategy

💪 Confidence

🏢 Returnships

📋 90-Day Plan

How to Address a Career Break on Your CV

The key is to be honest, brief, and confident. Don't hide the gap — frame it positively. Modern recruiters are trained to view career breaks without bias.

Option 1: Skills-Based / Functional CV

Lead with your skills and achievements rather than chronological history. Group experience by capability (e.g., "Project Management," "Technical Skills") rather than employer. This naturally minimises gaps.

Best for: Breaks of 3+ years, or when changing industry. Use our CV Builder and select the "Skills-Based" layout option.

Option 2: Address It Directly

Add a brief line in your experience section. Be factual and positive — no apologies needed.

Examples:
"2021–2024: Career Break — Full-time parenting. Maintained industry knowledge through CPD courses and professional reading."

"2022–2025: Career Break — Personal development. Completed AWS Solutions Architect certification and volunteered with Code for Ireland."

"2023–2025: Career Break — Travel and personal growth. Developed cross-cultural communication skills across 15 countries."

What to Include from Your Break

Career breaks aren't empty — you likely developed valuable skills. Consider including:

🎓 Learning: Online courses, certifications, reading, workshops, webinars

🤝 Volunteering: Board roles, school committees, community projects, mentoring

💼 Freelance/consulting: Even small projects show you stayed active

🧠 Transferable skills: Budget management, scheduling, conflict resolution, project coordination

Dealing with Imposter Syndrome

Feeling like everyone has moved on without you? That's normal and temporary. Remember: you're not starting from zero. You're starting from experience. The skills that made you good at your job before haven't disappeared.

Rebuilding Professional Confidence

Take it step by step. You don't need to jump straight back into a senior role.

Start small: Update your LinkedIn, attend one networking event, email one former colleague

Upskill strategically: Pick ONE certification relevant to your target role. Completing it will massively boost confidence

Practise interviewing: Use our Interview Prep tool for mock sessions

Find your tribe: Join a return-to-work group or community — you're not alone in this

Answering "What Have You Been Doing?"

This question feels loaded but it's usually asked in good faith. Be honest, positive, and brief — then pivot to why you're excited about this opportunity.

Script: "I took time out to [reason — be brief]. During that time, I [one positive activity]. Now I'm fully re-energised and focused on [target role/industry]. What excites me about this role specifically is [link to job]..."

Irish Returnship & Return-to-Work Programmes

Several major employers in Ireland run structured returnship programmes specifically designed for professionals coming back after career breaks. These typically offer a supported 3-6 month paid placement with mentoring.

Accenture — Return to Work

16-week paid programme for experienced professionals. Mentoring, training, and strong conversion to permanent roles. Technology and consulting tracks.

📍 Dublin💰 Paid

Bank of Ireland — Back to Business

Supports returners into banking, tech, and operations roles. Structured programme with buddy system and L&D support.

📍 Dublin / nationwide💰 Paid

Microsoft Ireland

LEAP programme for experienced tech professionals returning after 2+ year breaks. Roles in engineering, PM, and data science.

📍 Dublin💰 Paid

FDM Group — Returners Programme

Open to all industries. 12-week training programme with guaranteed placement at a client company. Strong track record in Ireland.

📍 Dublin / Remote💰 Paid placement

Vodafone — ReConnect

6-month paid programme for professionals with 2+ year career breaks. Tech, commercial, and corporate roles. Strong mentoring and flexible working.

📍 Dublin💰 Paid

SOLAS / Intreo — Employment Programmes

Government-funded programmes including Community Employment, TÚS, and JobsPlus employer incentives. Especially valuable for longer career breaks.

📍 Nationwide💰 Varies

Your 90-Day Return-to-Work Plan

A structured roadmap from "I'm thinking about going back" to "I've started my new role."

Week 1-2

Research & Reflect

Identify target roles and industries. Update your LinkedIn headline. Review job boards to understand current market requirements. Take our Career Quiz.

Week 3-4

Skills Audit

Run a Skill Gap Analysis against target job descriptions. Identify 1-2 quick wins (free certs, online courses). Start a certification if needed.

Week 5-6

CV & Profile

Build your CV using our CV Builder. Get it reviewed with AI CV Review. Update LinkedIn fully. Prepare your elevator pitch.

Week 7-8

Network & Apply

Reach out to 5 former colleagues. Attend one networking event. Apply to 3-5 target roles. Consider returnship programmes.

Week 9-10

Interview Prep

Practise with our Interview Prep tool. Prepare answers for gap questions. Research target companies with Company Research.

Week 11-13

Interview & Negotiate

Attend interviews with confidence. Use our Negotiation Guide for offers. Don't undervalue yourself — your break gave you perspective others lack.

Ready to Start Your Comeback?

Build Your CV → Take the Career Quiz →