Returning to work after a career break? You're not alone, and you're definitely not broken. Whether you're facing a wall of rejection emails, rewriting your CV for the tenth time, or second-guessing whether you’re even "good enough" to apply, self-doubt can be the biggest blocker between you and your next role. At ivee, we know confidence isn’t just a feeling - it’s a habit. And like any habit, it can be trained. That’s why we’ve created this blog post just for you. To show you what works, help you stop overthinking, and, most importantly, introduce you to the free expert-led session that’s helping women returners rebuild self-belief.
Jump to:
- Watch now: 5 Steps to Overcoming Self-Doubt on your Job Hunt
- Why do we struggle with confidence during a job hunt?
- Tip 1: Break the confidence-action loop
- Tip 2: Rewire your thoughts with daily habits
- Tip 3: Remember – you’re not starting from scratch
- Tip 4: Calm job search anxiety with structure
- Tip 5: Don’t go it alone
- Next step: Watch the video & start rebuilding confidence today
- FAQs: How to overcome self-doubt on your job hunt
- Final thoughts
- References and further reading
Watch now: 5 Steps to Overcoming Self-Doubt on your Job Hunt
In this 60-minute video, confidence coach Dina Silberman shares five evidence-backed strategies to help you shift your mindset, reset your routine, and feel genuinely ready to re-enter the workforce on your own terms.
Why do we struggle with confidence during a job hunt?
It’s not just you. In the UK, many career returners (especially women) report feeling invisible, undervalued or behind after stepping away from work. Add job search anxiety, imposter syndrome, and an age-biased market into the mix, and it’s no wonder confidence takes a hit.
Tip 1: Break the confidence-action loop
Confidence comes after action, not before.
Instead of waiting to “feel ready,” take one small step today: send that email, apply for that role, rewrite one paragraph of your CV. Every action breaks the cycle of self-doubt.
Tip 2: Rewire your thoughts with daily habits
In the video, Dina introduces three fast, effective mindset resets:
“I AM” lists:
Write down statements like “I am resourceful” or “I am ready to learn”.
Power poses:
Posture affects psychology. Shoulders back, chin up.
Reframing fears:
Replace what if I fail? with what if this works?
Tip 3: Remember - you're not starting from scratch
You’re starting from experience.
Use a hybrid CV format to highlight your skills, not your gap.
Include any caregiving, community or freelance work. Employers want to see capability, not chronology.
Tip 4: Calm job search anxiety with structure
Searching for a job in 2025 is almost a job in itself. To manage the overwhelm:
Tip 5: Don't go it alone
Confidence grows faster in community.
Reach out to a friend, mentor or career coach. Join returner-friendly platforms like ivee, where you’re surrounded by others rewriting their stories too.
Next step: Watch the video & start rebuilding confidence today
In this free, expert-led session, you’ll learn how to:
✔️ Make confidence a daily habit
✔️ Reframe self-doubt into self-belief
✔️ Prepare for your return with clarity, not fear
The only free bootcamp designed to get returners hired
Join for insider strategies, tailored guidance, and practical tools to help you land your next job.
Secure your spotHow to rebuild confidence after a career break
Feeling nervous about returning to work is completely normal. But confidence isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you can rebuild.
Here are a few ways to get started.
- Join returner communities for peer support
- Practice interviewing with a coach or mentor
- Reflect on all the skills you’ve gained outside of traditional work (e.g., multitasking, negotiation, time management)
- Start small: volunteering, freelancing, or part-time work can be a great first step
FAQs: How to overcome self-doubt on your job hunt
Final thoughts: How to overcome self-doubt on your job hunt
Self-doubt doesn’t mean you’re not capable. It just means you care.
And with the right tools, support and mindset shifts, you can move from “What if I’m not ready?” to “I’ve got this.”
Let today be the first confident step forward.
References & further reading
- 5 steps to overcoming self-doubt on your job hunt – ivee Learning Hub: A free, expert-led webinar hosted by confidence coach Dina Silberman.
- Confidence building after a career break – National Careers Service: Government-backed advice on career planning and job search support in the UK.
- Managing anxiety and stress at work – ACAS: Advice on building resilience, managing interview stress, and workplace wellbeing.
- Free return to work bootcamp – ivee: A free bootcamp supercharging your return to work.
- How to manage self-esteem – Mind UK: A mental health charity offering actionable tips for rebuilding confidence.
- Flexible and returner-friendly roles – ivee: A UK-based platform offering hand-vetted, inclusive job opportunities, perfect for your return to work.
The only free bootcamp designed to get returners hired
Join for insider strategies, tailored guidance, and practical tools to help you land your next job.
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