Returning to work after a career break can feel intimidating, especially when faced with explaining the gap and proving your readiness. But here’s the good news: a career break doesn’t have to be a setback. With the right framing, it can become a valuable part of your story. This guide will walk you through actionable ways to re-enter the workforce, from updating your CV to answering tough interview questions - all tailored to UK job seekers.
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Jump to:
- How to explain a career break on your CV
- How to justify a career gap in an interview
- How to get back to work after a career break
- Best answer for a career gap in an interview
- Career break on resume: How to present it
- Convince an employer after a career break: Strategies
- Video: How to write a cover letter recruiters will actually read
- Practical steps to restart your career after a long break
- What to say after a career break: Communication tips
- Tips on formatting a resume after a break
- FAQs: Convincing an employer to hire you after a career break
- Final thoughts
- References and further reading
How to explain a career break on your CV
The key here is context, not concealment. Instead of avoiding the gap, address it head-on.
💡 Top tip: Use a hybrid CV format to bring transferable skills and recent development to the forefront, especially if your break was over 12 months.
Example:
Career break (Jan 2021 – Dec 2022) | Full-time parent and self-led upskilling in project management and digital tools (completed Google Project Management certification).
How to justify a career gap in an interview
This part’s all about narrative. You want to connect your past, your break, and your future in a way that makes sense to the employer.
Imagine you’re telling a story with three acts:
Before:
“I worked as a marketing coordinator for five years, managing digital campaigns.”
During:
“I took time away to care for my father and during that time enrolled in part-time courses in analytics and content strategy.”
Now:
“I’m excited to bring those new skills and my previous experience to a company like yours that values fresh perspectives.”
No bullet points – just a compelling arc.
How to get back to work after a career break
Let’s break this down as a step-by-step roadmap:
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Secure your spotBest answer for a career gap in an interview
Let’s do a quick role-play. Here’s how your answer might sound if you’re asked:
“I see there’s a gap in your work history – can you tell me about that?”
Strong response:
“Absolutely. I took a break to focus on my family, and during that time I completed training in HR systems and employment law. I also stayed active in the industry by attending CIPD webinars. I’m confident those skills are a real asset in today’s HR landscape.”
📌 Pro tip: Practice this out loud. You’ll sound more natural and confident in the real moment.
Career break on resume: How to present it
Let’s compare what to do vs. what to avoid:
Do this:
Use a brief, honest label
Include relevant experience from the break
Tailor your skills to the job description
Avoid this:
Leaving unexplained gaps in the timeline
Pretending the break didn’t happen
Using outdated job duties
Keeping your CV clean, modern, and truthful gives recruiters the info they need to feel confident about your return.
Convince an employer after a career break: Strategies
This section comes in as a checklist – easy to follow, easy to action:
These are the credibility markers employers are scanning for.
Video: How to write a cover letter recruiters will actually read
Practical steps to restart your career after a long break
Let’s flip it and focus on a real-life example:
Case study: Aisha, a teacher returning after 6 years
Aisha paused her career to raise her children. In 2024, she joined a returner programme through Teach First. She updated her skills, gained classroom experience, and landed a part-time SEN teaching role.
Her secret? Blending honesty with strategy and leveraging networks that support career returners.
Your story will be different, but the pathway can be just as intentional.
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Secure your spotWhat to say after a career break: Communication tips
Try this 3-line framework in interviews or networking conversations. It’s short, clear, and avoids over-explaining:
Line 1: Acknowledge it
- “Yes, I took time off to care for a family member.”
Line 2: Highlight growth
- “During that time, I completed two online certifications in leadership and budgeting.”
Line 3: Refocus
- “Now I’m ready to rejoin a team where I can apply those skills in a strategic role.”
Tips on formatting a resume after a break
Go for a “hybrid” resume layout:
Top section: Profile summary + skills snapshot
Middle: Key achievements from all relevant roles
Next: Your experience, with a section for your career break, including personal projects, freelance work, or education
Bottom: Education, certifications, and relevant tools (e.g., Excel, Canva, Salesforce)
Tools like ivee’s CV template or Reed’s CV builder can help you format it cleanly.
FAQs: Convincing an employer to hire you after a career break
Learn about the 2025 jobs market
And how to stop getting ghosted
Final thoughts: Convincing an employer to hire you after a career break
A career break doesn’t define your career. It’s just one chapter in your story. By reframing your experiences and speaking with confidence, you’ll not only convince employers to hire you after a break, you’ll remind them why your voice belongs in the room.
References & further reading
Here are some trusted UK-based resources that can help you take the next steps in your return-to-work journey:
- National Careers Service – Government advice on CVs, skills, and career planning.
- ivee – The Return to Work Platform. Find flexible work with direct access to returner-friendly employers, upskilling, application hacks, and a community.
- Timewise – Experts in flexible work with advice and a jobs board.
- CIPD – Professional HR insights into how employers view and handle career breaks.
- LinkedIn Learning – A platform offering professional development courses you can showcase on your profile.
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