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Peninsula Kids
Home»Parenting Articles»Returning to work with confidence after a career break
Parenting Articles

Returning to work with confidence after a career break

Updated:July 14, 20215 Mins Read
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By Karen Samuel

So, you’ve decided to return to work in 2021 but there’s just one problem – you’ve been out of the workforce for a while, either on a career break or raising children.

Many interviewers have stated that confidence sets candidates apart. In many cases, people returning to work after a career break struggle with this.

Below is a summary of the steps you can take to gain back your confidence, master the application process and put your best foot forward when applying for jobs this year.

1. Update your resume

Think of your resume as a marketing document, that sells you to a potential employer. Your resume is the document which will help you secure an interview, so make sure it is updated into a format that suits what you are trying to achieve, and every word is used wisely.

Many mums that I work with also feel unsure about what to include when it comes to their career break. It is important to address any time off longer than six months on your resume so that your resume makes sense to potential employers who are reading it. Take some time to think broadly about how you have been spending your time during your career break. As well as raising a family and managing a household, have you also been managing an investment property, or doing voluntary work in the community? Create a headline to use in place of
a job title and summarise your experience during that time into a few key bullet points.

2. Reframe your mindset

My advice to mums is to change their mindset concerning their career break and begin to see it as something that increases their value in the workplace, because it does. Becoming a parent doesn’t take away your education or your work experience; rather, it adds perspective, transferrable experience and empathy. Good employers know this, and recognise that flexibility is important in the workplace, and beneficial to both the employer and the employee.

3. Write a targeting cover letter for each application

In today’s competitive market, it is important to write a targeted cover letter for any jobs that you are interested in. Aim for three short paragraphs, which provide extra context around your experience and how it makes you a great fit for this job, as well as telling the employer why you want to work for them.

4. Update your LinkedIn profile

LinkedIn is an essential tool for job seekers in 2021. The job board features some unique opportunities that won’t be advertised elsewhere, and the platform also allows you to connect to a diverse range of employers across a number of companies and industries. Investing some time into updating your LinkedIn profile, will help you put your best foot forward on this platform.

5. Start networking

If you’re struggling to get your foot in the door, reaching out to networks can begin to open some doors. Try reaching out to your old contacts or workmates to let them know you are looking for work. Networking in this way can open up what is called the “hidden job market”. This is essentially a pool of jobs that are filled before they are advertised to the general public. Being in contact with someone who works for the recruiting company, will help you find out about those opportunities first, and you are more likely to find yourself being invited for interview.

6. Find the right employer

If you are seeking a family-friendly employer, its critical to do your research and choose wisely. Many organisations support flexible working, including remote and part time work, and policies are often discoverable online on a company’s website. There are also job boards that are solely dedicated to flexible jobs and employers.

7. If you want extra assistance or are feeling unconfident, consult a coach

Those who consult a coach will have an expert on their side every step of the way, to empower them during the job seeking process. If you feel you need some extra assistance to achieve the best possible outcome, a coach can help you secure a better opportunity, and faster, meaning you have less time out of work and more time earning money and gaining that job security.

A positive frame of mind definitely yields positive results. However, don’t be discouraged if results are not instant, it can be a long process to find the right fit and the job market is experiencing longer times to hire.

If you would like personal advice on your situation and job seeking journey, you can reach out to us for further advice.


Karen Samuel is a working mum and founder of Flexible Work Expert which provides programs and resources to help women succeed in their career, either before or after starting a family.

You can find more information at www.flexibleworkexpert.com.au.

Karen had an extensive corporate career in Human Resources and Recruitment before qualifying as a lawyer while pregnant with her first child. After experiencing first-hand the challenges which mums are faced with in the workplace, she was inspired to use her skills to help other women like her to find success, happiness and balance in the workplace.

Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2021

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👀😮 Ooooh..this looks gooooood. Has anyone read the book? Betrayal and revenge come knocking on The Family Next Door this August! The ABC, Screen Australia and VicScreen are pleased to announce the thrilling six-part suburban mystery drama series The Family Next Door will premiere on Sunday 10 August at 8pm on ABC TV, with all episodes available to stream on ABC iview. It’s peak holiday season in the popular seaside town of Osprey Point when an enigmatic stranger, Isabelle (Palmer) rents a family home in a quiet cul-de-sac. As Isabelle charms her way into her neighbours’ homes and lives, she quickly discovers that everyone at Pleasant Court has something to hide. How far will her obsessive drive to solve a mystery push her to expose the truth? Based on New York Times bestselling Australian author Sally Hepworth’s novel of the same name, this sophisticated and entertaining mystery blends drama and humour while exploring family dynamics through the unique lens of award-winning screenwriter Sarah Scheller (Strife, The Letdown) and Emma Freeman’s (The Newsreader, Interview with the Vampire) character-driven directorial skills. #abciview #sallyhepworth #thefamilynextdoor
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Bring the kids to experience live theatre at Frankston Arts Centre in August! An instant Australian classic, Beetle by Legs On The Wall tells the story of a child who finds a friend in her backyard; together they embark on an adventure to search for his family, the now elusive Christmas Beetle. The magic of the bush habitat is brought to life through Legs On The Wall’s trademark physical storytelling, and animation created from original artworks by beloved children’s author and illustrator Freya Blackwood. A tale of resilience and hope, Beetle reminds young audiences that there’s an important place in the world for all of us. Reminding us of the delicate balance of the natural world and that all things are connected. This charming, nostalgic and uniquely Australian show invites children and families to join the adventure, encountering larger than life beetles, stick insects, and other bush critters while finding out about the uncanny nature and delicate balance of the bush environment. See it on Friday 22 August at 11am or 6pm at Frankston Arts Centre. Tickets are available at thefac.com.au or by calling 03 9784 1060. #whatson #fac #kidstheatre #frankstonartscentre #beetlebylegsonthewall @the_fac
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Epson launches four new EcoTank printers as sales top 100 million and the company remains number one in large ink tank printer sales. EcoTank inkjet printers are world leaders in providing improved productivity for homes and small businesses for a number of reasons. Firstly, they come with up to two years’ worth of ink in the box, so you don’t need to worry about suddenly running out or constantly ordering replacements. This also means less user intervention due to fewer replaceable parts, giving you back time to invest in yourself and your business. There is zero warm-up time and a very fast first page out time with EcoTank printers and this, combined with their unique Heat-Free Technology, saves you time, energy, money and allows you greater flexibility for your home or small business. The new Epson EcoTank ET-4950, ET-3950, ET-3900 and ET-2950 printers come with a 24 month EcoTank Back to Base Warranty (12 month standard express warranty and an bonus additional 12 months upon registration) and are available now from https://www.epson.com.au/ecotank/, and all authorised Epson stockists. #epsonecotank #ad @epsonaust @Epson
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❄️ Winter is here! And along with it, a fresh edition on Peninsula Kids magazine. Enjoy flipping through the pages that celebrate the season’s highlights so that you can make the most of the frostier months with your loved ones. 🥰 🌬️ Link to read in bio ———————————————————————————— #peninsulakids #peninsulakidsmagazine #winter #lovepeninsulakids #mpgrown #local #pregnnacyandbaby #creative #education #health #spotlight #recipes
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Grab your cameras and hot choccies! Neon Fields returns to glow up Frankston! When the sun goes down it is time to gather family and friends and venture into Neon Fields. Beauty Park will once again be transformed into a colourful fantasy world where you’re invited to interact and play among the lights during this free event! —————————————————————————— #southsidefestival #neonfields #frankston #beautypark #visitfrankston #whatson #whatsonthisweekend #thingstodo #freeevent #photoops #lovepeninsulakids @southsidefestivalfrankston
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