Returning to Work After A Long Absence

When returning to work after a long break, a broader strategy and approach is often required. The more senior the role you are trying to secure, the more effort and strategy will be needed in terms of networking and communication.

For our client, an accountant, a 10-year break meant getting re-acquainted with industry changes including regulatory and professional. Reconnecting with professional associations and local professional groups helped greatly with networking and getting job leads.

A great resume is a piece in the puzzle, but it’s not the entire picture.

Functional resumés in similar scenarios

In rare circumstances such as this, a functional resume is appropriate. There is no denying or hiding a large gap in work experience. When we initially proposed this to our client, she was naturally skeptical. But the reality is that a traditional chronological format simply highlights the gaps in work experience first, rather than the skills and capabilities she brought to the table.

Experience in life, volunteering, caregiving are all ways to propose to potential employers that you they can expect you will be a fit and can meet their requirements.

Skills and capabilities

It is important not to create a long list of keywords on your resume. For this client, she had kept up professional affiliations and had taken a couple of relevant courses along the way. Highlighting these in the resume is helpful in supporting credibility and adding relevant skills and capabilities enhances credibility further. The key is being selective and relevant. We accomplished this through skills mapping and research into target jobs. Skills mapping allowed us to take an inventory of all the skills she had previously acquired during her employment gap. Researching target jobs and her industry provided the filter we needed to ensure only appropriate skills got listed and how to position them for maximum impact.

The bottom line

Returning to work after a long absence is challenging, but not impossible, especially if you invest in a comprehensive strategy. Don’t rely only on your resume. Speaking of resumes, functional (and hybrid) resumes are complex and challenging to write. We do not recommend using them unless your personal situation requires it. It is helpful to engage with a professional and/or an editor for support.