6 Smart Moves to Re-Enter the Workforce After a Career Break
Because going back to work after maternity leave doesn't have to feel like starting from scratch.
Congratulations! You're rebuilding a part of yourself that was put on pause while you took care of your family.
Whether it's been a few months or a few years since you last clocked into an office, returning to work after a career break (especially one for motherhood) can feel like a mountain climb in heels. The confidence wobble is real, and so is the fear of being "out of touch."
Just remember: You're not starting over. You're starting from strength. Moms re-entering the workforce bring powerful qualities to the table, including life experience, perspective, adaptability, emotional intelligence, and much more. Remember, you managed a toddler tantrum and a blowout diaper before 8 AM, so you can definitely handle a meeting. You've already done hard things.
Let's walk through 6 smart (and doable) strategies to help you rebuild your confidence, refresh your skills, and reconnect with your career path with one small step at a time.
1. Do a Personal Skills Audit
Before you even update your resume, take a pause to reflect: What skills have you gained (not just before your break, but during it)?
ā Managed a household budget?
ā Led your PTA committee or volunteered at school?
ā Took a course or stayed informed via podcasts or industry news?
Make a list of both hard and soft skills. Include everything from project management to conflict resolution to daily scheduling. Motherhood sharpens these in big ways. When you see your growth written out, it shifts your mindset from "I've been out of work" to "I've been building behind the scenes."
Related Post: How to Explain the Resume Gap After Maternity Leave (Without Apologizing)
2. Reconnect with Your Network
You don't have to cold-email CEOs, start small.
Reach out to old colleagues or mentors via LinkedIn or email.
Let friends and family know you're exploring work again.
Join industry-specific Facebook groups or local mom networks.
These conversations often lead to leads, insights, or even a much-needed confidence boost. People want to help. They just need to know you're ready.
3. Update Your Resume With Intention
This doesn't have to be overwhelming. You can start with these basics:
Add a brief sentence in your summary that mentions your intentional career pause.
Highlight any relevant projects, volunteering, or learning during your break.
Use confident, forward-facing language (no need to apologize or over-explain).
And if you need help with wording or structure, we've got you covered.
Related Post: How to Update Your Resume When You've Been Out of Work
4. Practice Your Story (Out Loud!)
When you get that interview request, you don't want your nerves writing the script.
Practice a few confident ways to talk about your break:
"I took a purposeful pause to focus on my family, and now I'm excited to bring my experience and renewed energy back into the workforce."
Rehearse your tone, your pacing, and your nonverbals. Better yet, do a mock interview with a friend or record yourself. The goal is to sound grounded, not polished.
Related Post: What to Say in a Job Interview After Maternity Leave
5. Start With a Return-Friendly Role
Don't pressure yourself into finding your forever job right away.
Instead, look for positions that:
Offer part-time or hybrid schedules
Are returnship programs (many companies now offer these!)
Are freelance or project-based as a stepping stone
There's no one "right" way to return to work. If the role helps you ease back in and rebuild momentum, that's a win.
6. Set Boundaries From Day One
Moms often feel they need to overcompensate to "prove" they're still valuable. But guess what? You already are.
Start setting expectations that respect your time, energy, and role as both a professional and a parent.
Need help with that conversation?
Related Post: How to Set Boundaries in the Workplace as a Mom
Remember: You Deserve to Be Here
Stepping back into the workforce can feel overwhelming, especially when juggling nap schedules, dinner plans, and daycare germs. However, this chapter is about you, too.
You're not less qualified. You're more evolved. You're not behind. You've grown in ways that make you even more capable.
Your career comeback doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to start.
š More from All Speech Mom - Career Comeback Support:
The Ultimate Back-to-Work Checklist for Moms Returning After Baby
How to Explain a Resume Gap After Maternity Leave (Without Apologizing)
Your Next Move: Ready to rewrite your story?
Grab the Free Career Comeback Starter Kit ā with resume tips, confidence prompts, interview prep, and more. You've got this, and we've got you!
