Returning to work after a career break can feel daunting, especially when it comes to updating your CV. You may wonder how to present your experience, bridge the gap on your CV, and showcase the unique skills you've developed during your time away from the workforce. With the right approach, you can turn a career break into an asset and create a CV that highlights your strengths and sets you apart. In this guide, we’ll cover strategies for crafting a compelling CV that tells your story confidently and professionally, plus tips on using a hybrid CV format ideal for career returners. Let’s get started!
Jump to:
- Choose the right CV format: the hybrid CV
- Benefits of a hybrid CV
- Start with a strong personal statement
- Highlight transferable skills gained during your career break
- Tailor your CV for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
- Frame your career break confidently
- Show results where possible
- Proofread and keep it concise
- Download our hybrid CV template for women returning to work
- Conclusion
Choose the right CV format: the hybrid CV
Unlike the average job-seeker, for women returning to work, the hybrid CV is one of the best formats to use. It combines the strengths of a chronological CV (a clear timeline of work experience) with the flexibility of a skills-based CV (highlighting competencies and achievements). This format allows you to place emphasis on your skills and accomplishments upfront, helping to downplay any career gaps.
Benefits of a hybrid CV:
Skills-first approach:
Showcases your most relevant skills and accomplishments at the beginning of the CV.
Chronology included:
Lists your work experience clearly, which employers often expect.
Career gaps are minimised:
By starting with strengths and recent skills, career gaps are less prominent and are reframed as part of your professional growth.
Start with a strong personal statement
The personal statement is your chance to make a memorable first impression. In a few sentences, outline your background, key skills, and motivation to return to work. Be specific about what you bring to the table and what you’re looking to achieve in your next role.
Example Personal Statement: “With over 15 years of experience, including as Finance Director at Deloitte, I offer deep expertise in corporate finance, strategic planning, and financial operations. During my time away from the workforce, I sharpened my leadership and problem-solving skills, and I’m now eager to return to a senior role such as CFO or Head of Corporate Finance. I’m seeking a hybrid position where I can drive financial strategy, optimise performance, and deliver long-term growth.”
Highlight transferable skills gained during your career break
If you’ve taken on roles or responsibilities during your career break—whether through volunteering, freelance work, or other personal projects—these can be valuable additions to your CV. Highlight any skills that are relevant to the roles you’re applying for.
Time management:
- Balancing personal responsibilities and external commitments.
Problem-solving:
- Handling unexpected challenges and developing solutions.
Leadership:
- Leading community projects, school groups, or other organisations.
Project management:
- Coordinating events, projects, or campaigns.
Framing Examples: Instead of listing a career break as “Stay-at-home Mum, 12 months,” frame it as follows:
- Head of Parent Network (August 2023 – August 2024): “Led a network for 50+ new parents at X School, organising events and sharing resources. Increased engagement by 30%, strengthening my leadership, communication, and empathy skills.”
- Volunteer at X Community Centre (October 2023 – August 2024): “Organised community events for 200+ attendees, boosting participation by 20%. Developed collaboration, problem-solving, and time management skills.”
These examples show that you stayed active and developed transferable skills, which are valuable in the workplace.
This approach communicates that your career break was a period of active growth rather than a gap in productivity.
Tailor your CV for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
Many employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen CVs, filtering for specific keywords from the job description. To increase your chances of passing through ATS, follow these tips:
Use keywords from the job advert:
- Match terms and phrases directly from the job listing.
Keep formatting simple:
- Avoid fancy fonts, graphics, or layouts that may not be readable by ATS software.
Tailor each CV to the role:
- Adjust your CV for each position you apply to, focusing on skills and experiences that are most relevant.
Frame your career break confidently
How you present your career break on your CV is essential. Rather than leading with the break itself, start by showcasing your recent achievements, experiences, and skills. Place your career break within your work history as just one part of your professional journey.
Example: “During my career break, I completed online courses in [subject], volunteered at [organisation], and worked on freelance projects with a focus on [relevant skill]. This time away has enriched my expertise, and I’m excited to bring my refined skills to a new role.”
This approach communicates that your career break was a period of active growth rather than a gap in productivity.
Show results where possible
Employers are often interested in results, so wherever possible, highlight the outcomes of your work. Use quantifiable results to demonstrate your impact, whether you were in a paid role, volunteering, or managing a personal project.
Top tip: always start with a powerful verb E.G. “Directed”, “led”, “co-ordinated”.
Example of results-based language:
- “Increased community event attendance by 20% through targeted outreach efforts.”
- “Boosted parent network engagement by 30% by creating and leading events.”
By framing your work in terms of achievements, you make it easier for hiring managers to see the potential impact you could bring to their team.
Proofread and keep it concise
A well-organised and error-free CV is essential, especially for women returning to work. Keep your CV to 1-2 pages, with clear sections and plenty of white space to ensure it’s easy to read.
Checklist for proofreading:
Download our Hybrid CV template for women returning to work
Our hybrid CV template looks a bit like this:
[Your Full Name]
[Contact Information: Phone, Email, LinkedIn]
Personal Statement
Experienced [industry/role] professional with [X years] of experience, returning to the workforce after a career break. [Describe your top skills, such as organisational abilities, leadership, or strategic thinking]. Recently upskilled through [courses, volunteering, or freelance work]. Motivated to bring strong [skill] and [skill] to [desired job/industry].
Key Skills
- Project Management: Managed projects and timelines effectively.
- Leadership: Led community initiatives and volunteer projects.
- Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Problem-Solving: Developed creative solutions to challenging situations.
Relevant Experience
Head of Parent Network
August 2023 – August 2024
Led a network of 50+ new parents, coordinating events and resources. Increased engagement by 30% and strengthened skills in leadership, empathy, and organisation.
Volunteer at X Community Centre
October 2023 – August 2024
Organised community events for 200+ attendees, increasing participation by 20%. Developed skills in teamwork, problem-solving, and time management.
Freelance Consultant, ABC Startup
April 2023 – August 2023
Provided strategic support, increasing customer acquisition by 15% and revenue by 10%. Enhanced skills in creativity, strategic planning, and stakeholder management.
Join the ivee community!
Join our Facebook group. Whether you’re looking to reconnect with like-minded returners, seek advice on returning to work after maternity leave, or share your experiences, our Facebook community is here to help you navigate your journey back into the workforce.
You’ll find:
👉 Latest regulatory changes regarding maternity leave
👉 CV templates for women returning to work
👉 Latest industry updates
👉 Resources and guides to help you on your job hunt
👉 Confidence-building events, webinars and advice on all aspects of returning to work
Our Facebook community
Conclusion
Creating a strong CV when returning to work doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By choosing a hybrid format, highlighting your transferable skills, and framing your career break confidently, you can present yourself as a capable and motivated candidate. Remember, your unique experiences and skills make you a valuable asset—your CV is simply the tool to communicate that to potential employers.
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