6 Tips For Moms Returning To Work After A Career Break

Forbes

2 days ago

Returning to corporate work after a career break to raise children is a major life pivot. Whether you've been home for one year, five or more than a decade, the transition back into the workforce comes with both challenges and opportunities. According to a FlexJobs survey, 70 percent of women who off-ramped their careers after having kids said it was difficult to reenter the workforce. For professional moms, the stakes can feel high—navigating expectations, explaining resume gaps and adjusting to changes in workplace culture and technology.
Before updating your resume or applying to jobs, take stock of your current skills. What software are you comfortable using? What industry knowledge do you still have, and what needs refreshing? You'll also want to reflect on the transferable skills you've developed while managing a household or raising kids: time management, conflict resolution, multitasking, project coordination, budgeting—these are all assets in the workplace.
If you've been away for just a year, your skills are likely still current. Focus on highlighting relevant experience and demonstrating continued interest in your field. For breaks of five years or more, consider identifying skill gaps and creating a plan to address them through self-directed learning or short-term courses. Free or low-cost platforms like Coursera, Udemy or LinkedIn Learning offer targeted refreshers in everything from Excel and Salesforce to data analytics and digital marketing. Even reading industry blogs or listening to sector-specific podcasts can help you re-enter the conversation with confidence.
Networking is often the biggest hurdle after a long break, but it's also a valuable tool for re-entering the workforce. Reach out to former colleagues, managers or industry peers—even if it feels awkward at first. Let them know you're planning your return and ask for a short call or coffee to catch up. Don't be limited in what communities you consider, either. School groups, local business associations and alumni networks can offer surprising connections and warm introductions.
As a former HR leader at Google and Grammarly, Claire Campion shared during an email interview that she has supported many moms returning to the corporate world after extended career breaks or maternity leave. 'Start by researching how your industry has changed during your time away. Talk to friends or former colleagues to get a real sense of what working life is like now, including the pace, expectations and economic landscape. In fast-moving industries like tech, a lot can shift in five years. From there, reflect on whether you want to return to your exact former role or explore an adjacent one that better suits your interests at this stage.'
The way you talk about your time away matters. Whether you took a year out of the workplace for parental leave or a decade to raise a family, be honest—but frame it with confidence and clarity. Instead of apologizing for the gap, briefly explain the decision and pivot to the strengths you gained. Campion advises, 'Be honest and direct. You took time away from your career to raise your family and now that your children are older, you're ready to return to the workforce full-time. Reinforce what you bring to the table, your experience, skillset and readiness to hit the ground running. In 2025, power skills like communication, emotional intelligence and stakeholder management are just as important as technical ones, especially for more senior roles.'
Rehearse your explanation in advance, so it comes across naturally in interviews and networking conversations. One example:
"I stepped away from my career to raise my family, which gave me the opportunity to develop strong project management, communication and negotiation skills. I'm excited to bring that perspective back into a team setting, especially now that I've updated my skills and am ready for the next chapter."
Returning to work can stir up a lot of emotion; guilt, anxiety and imposter syndrome are common companions in this journey. At ten years or more, the doubts can feel overwhelming. Know that these feelings are valid, but not necessarily accurate. You're not the same person who left the workforce, you're more experienced, more adaptable and you've been managing one of the most complex jobs there is. Find a mentor or support group of other moms who've gone through similar transitions. Talking openly about these challenges can help normalize them and build your confidence.
Campion confirms that the biggest emotional roadblocks she has seen are self-doubt, loss of confidence and anxiety about re-entering a fast-paced workplace. 'Many wrestle with impostor syndrome or uncertainty about what role to return to. And then there's the very real Mom Guilt, feeling like you're not doing enough at home or at work. These emotions are common, but they're not permanent and they can be worked through with the right support.'
Jackie Hershfeld, who returned to the corporate world in 2022 after ten years staying home with her three children, shared her advice for return-to-work moms in an email. 'Accept that you're going to feel like you're failing in at least one area of your life, be willing to recognize you're not and celebrate that you're doing this amazing, hard thing. Yes, you might have to meet your family at your kid's art show rather than drive all together, or maybe your laundry doesn't get folded as quickly or you have to order carry out because you're just too tired to cook and deal with dishes, but you're also taking care and loving on your family while bringing in an income. And yes, all of these examples are real examples from just this week.'
Returnships—structured programs designed to help professionals re-enter the workforce after a break—are becoming more common at large companies like Amazon, Goldman Sachs and IBM. These paid programs offer training, mentorship and the chance to prove yourself with no long-term commitment upfront. Even if a company doesn't offer a formal returnship, look for job descriptions labeled 'mid-career entry,' 'career relaunch' or 'second act.'
Even with jobs geared towards returning parents, don't expect it will still be easy. Hershfeld recalls, 'Job hunting whatever stage of life you're in is humbling. You're going to get rejected. You're going to think a role is an amazing fit and then it's not. You have to decide that every rejection is a redirection.'
You may not land your dream job on day one. That's okay. Focus on positioning yourself for long-term success. Be strategic about the roles you apply to—look for companies with strong parental leave policies, hybrid or flexible work options and a culture that values inclusion. When Hershfeld's situation was no longer a fit at the first company she joined post-career break, she made a change. She explains, 'I have a son with dyslexia who is supported by an incredible school, I need the flexibility to be primarily remote when my husband is traveling to get him to and from school and the ability to work some non traditional hours. I made the choice to change companies to support that need.'
Stay open to unexpected opportunities. A contract job, part-time role or freelance project can be a stepping stone that gets you in the door and lets you rebuild your professional muscle. Campion shares, 'Re-entering the workforce takes resilience and patience for everyone, not just moms. Be kind to yourself. You do have valuable skills and experience, it may take time to find the right fit.'
Your technical and professional skills are still fresh. You'll want to focus on confidence-building and updating your resume with any relevant volunteer or short-term projects. Reassure employers that you're ready to commit and that you've kept a finger on the pulse of your industry.
This is a common milestone when many moms consider returning. You may need to refresh some tools or software, but you still have a strong foundation. Consider a skills course or networking group to ease the transition and show proactive preparation.
A longer break doesn't disqualify you—but it does require more intention. In many cases, employers will care about how you've spent that time. Volunteer roles, community leadership, continued education or freelance work can all serve as bridges back to your profession. Demonstrate readiness, not regret.