Top tips for returning to work

You’ve taken a career break, be it for whatever reason, but now you’re ready to go back to work. This of course can be easier said than done, especially if you’re seeking a new career direction as opposed to returning to a previous workplace. What if you have no idea which career area you’d like to move to? How do you know what careers you’d be suited to and enjoy?

It’s important to take our time when choosing a new career, even if we have itchy feet after being out of the conventional world of work for so long! To ensure we make the right decisions for the right reasons, we should take the time to think about our skills, qualities, passions, hobbies and interests. Here are a few tips for choosing the right career direction after a career break.

1.    Take time to self-reflect

Take time to think about which new skills you’ve developed during your time out. I met a lady the other day who is currently on a career break and partially spending the time setting up business networks and attending seminars. Generally speaking, you’d expect such activities to improve both organisational and communication skills, as well as a variety of others. Try making a list of the skills you’ve acquired or built upon.

2.    Draw inspiration from your life

A key element of self-reflection is to review past achievements and the specific skills demonstrated in effecting those successes. Reflect on those other key stages of your life where testing circumstances demanded reasoned confidence in your own ability.

3.    Get feedback

Get feedback from others around you as they will see how you’ve developed. If you’d also like professional feedback, then consider using the services of a career professional such as a guide, mentor or coach. They can give you an objective perspective on your situation and help you come up with fresh ideas and angles.

4.    Make use of career tools

Career tools such as books and web resources can also be helpful. Online career personality tests can give you a feel for what type of career you would be particularly suited to, based on your characteristics.

5.    Get out there and make connections

Gather more information on career areas you’re interested in by networking and making contacts. Find people who’ve done what you’re interested in doing. Talk to them about how they did it. Don’t be afraid to ask plenty of questions. At the same time, use your existing network. It is often the connections that know us the best that surprise us by coming up with just the person we need to speak to, or group we need to join, in order to find out more about a potential career direction.

6.    Brush up on your skills

If you’d like to refresh your general work skills or to develop skills specific to a potential new career, there are plenty of ways to do this. Take advantage of the many adult learning opportunities at local further education colleges. Get a friend to train you in a specific skill in exchange for you helping them with something. Go to the library and get out the relevant ‘how to’ books.

7.    Don’t panic

Still not confident in your ability to return to work or find a new career direction? Don’t expect too much of yourself-take everything one step at a time, in bite-sized chunks.

8.    Be patient

Recognise that some goals need to be worked towards and will not be arrived at with one leap. It doesn’t matter how slowly you go as long as you don’t stop. In the words of the late American Football coach Vincent Lombardi, “Winners never quit, quitters never win”.

Going back to work and finding a new career that’s right for you is not an automatic process, but with enough thought, preparation, patience and action it is possible. And the real prize? Absolute recognition that taking a career break can truly be one of the best career moves you will ever make!

Nisa Chitakasem is founder of Position Ignition, a very personal careers advisory service for professionals. Position Ignition works with individuals on a variety of career issues, supporting them through to achieving their goals. For more free advice and tips on careers, please visit our blog.