5 Totally Doable Steps to Jump-Start Your Job Search After a Career Break

Returning to the paid workforce after a career break can feel completely overwhelming.

Where do you even begin? Do you update your resume? Start applying for jobs? Reach out to old colleagues? And what about that employment gap?

I remember feeling exactly this way. It wasn't until I stopped looking at my return to work as one enormous undertaking and started breaking it into smaller, more manageable steps that I finally felt in control and began making progress.

If you're feeling stuck, here are five small steps you can take to jump-start your job search. You don't need to tackle all five today.

Just pick one and get started!

1. Find someone who has already returned to work

When you're navigating a career break, it's easy to feel like you're the only person who has ever been in this position.

But you're not.

Plenty of people have successfully returned to the paid workforce after taking time away. And rather than trying to figure everything out yourself, why not learn from someone who has already done it?

Find just one person who has returned to work after a career break and ask if they'd be willing to chat.

Ask them what worked, what obstacles they faced, and what they wish they'd known before starting their job search.

You don't need a formal mentor or an elaborate networking strategy. Sometimes, one conversation with someone who understands what you're going through can give you the clarity and encouragement you need to take that next step.

2. Research returnship opportunities

What if I told you there are employers specifically looking for candidates who have taken career breaks?

They're called returnships, and they're essentially paid internships designed for experienced professionals returning to the workforce.

Many programs require applicants to have been away from paid employment for a minimum period, often 12 to 24 months, although eligibility varies by employer.

The beauty of these programs is that your career break isn't something you need to explain away. It's part of what makes you eligible!

Returnships can help you gain recent experience, refresh your skills, make professional connections, and potentially transition into a permanent position.

A great starting point is Path Forward. You can also explore iRelaunch Powered by Akraya for return-to-work resources and opportunities.

Keep in mind that programs vary in location, timing, and eligibility, so review the requirements before applying.

3. Shift your mindset from "I can't" to "How can I?"

Mindset plays a huge role in your return to work.

When you're feeling overwhelmed, it's easy to get caught in a cycle of thoughts like:

I don't know how to return to work.

I can't do this.

I've been out too long.

But what happens when you turn those statements into questions?

Instead of "I don't know how to return to work," try asking, "How can I figure out how to return to work?"

Instead of "I can't do this," ask, "How can I do this?"

That small change shifts your focus from what feels impossible to what you can actually do next.

Of course, changing your mindset won't magically eliminate every obstacle. But it can help you stop treating those obstacles as permanent roadblocks and start looking for ways around them.

4. Volunteer strategically

If you're looking to develop a new skill, refresh an existing one, or explore an unfamiliar industry, strategic volunteering can be a fantastic option.

The key is to volunteer with intention.

For example, if you're interested in transitioning into marketing, look for opportunities to help a nonprofit with its social media or communications.

If you're interested in project management, perhaps you could coordinate an event or lead a volunteer initiative.

And if there's an industry you're curious about, consider volunteering with an organization in that field to gain a behind-the-scenes perspective.

You're not just gaining experience. You're also building connections and learning more about what you might want to do next.

And remember: Experience is experience, whether you're paid for it or not.

If your volunteer work is relevant to the positions you're targeting, make sure you're highlighting it on your resume!

5. Create mini goals

One of the biggest reasons we procrastinate is that the task in front of us feels too large.

"Find a job" is a pretty intimidating item to put on your to-do list.

But "identify three companies I'd like to work for"?

That's manageable.

Break your job search into smaller goals that you can accomplish daily, weekly, or monthly.

For example, your goal this week might be to reconnect with one former colleague, research two returnship programs, or identify three skills you want to highlight on your resume.

The important thing is to make each goal specific enough that you know exactly what needs to be done.

And don't forget to acknowledge your progress! Those small actions may not feel particularly impressive on their own, but together, they move you closer to your ultimate goal.

Start small. Keep moving.

You don't need to have your entire job search figured out before you begin.

You just need to take the next step.

Whether that's reaching out to another career returner, exploring a returnship, changing the way you talk to yourself, volunteering, or creating one small goal, each action helps you build momentum.

And if you're wondering how to best position your unique, amazing and talented self in your job search book your free discovery call to set yourself up for success as you return back to the paid workforce.