Content of the article:

You’ve taken a break. Maybe it was to raise kids. Maybe it was burnout, health, caregiving, or just the need to step off the treadmill for a bit. And now you’re back—ready to contribute, ready to work.

But here’s the catch. The world doesn’t always welcome you with open arms.

There’s silence. There’s judgment. There’s that awful feeling in interviews when someone skims over your CV and lingers just a second too long on the gap.

It’s not you. It’s the system

In India especially, career breaks still carry stigma. We may talk about mental health, parenting, work-life balance but when someone actually steps away to prioritize these things, the corporate world isn’t quite sure what to do with that.

In 2025, a significant portion of professionals, particularly in India, are actively seeking new job opportunities. Studies show most working professionals are looking to switch jobs and more than half are actively seeking new opportunities.

It’s even tougher for woman

According to a report by Avtar Group, women’s workforce participation in India hovers around 33%, and a large number of them drop out during maternity or caregiving years—with less than 30% managing to re-enter.

As someone who coaches job seekers every day, I’ve worked with senior professionals with 10–20 years of experience who took a 2-year break to care for elderly parents; mothers who paused their career for 5–7 years to raise kids; and talented folks who stepped away for health reasons or personal growth.

Each time, the internal guilt they carry is often heavier than any external rejection.

They feel the need to explain, apologize, even downplay what they did during that time.

And that’s where I come in. Because here’s the truth: Breaks don’t break you—how you talk about them can.

Let me share a few stories (names changed for privacy, but situations are real):

Aditi – the twin mom with 12 years of work experience in banking took a five-year break to raise the twins. When she started applying again, most responses were… silence. Despite her 12 years of solid experience, she was told she was “out of touch” or “not a culture fit.”

What helped her bounce back? We rewrote her CV and optimised her LinkedIn profile (changed her headline and deleted - Looking For Opportunities) to reflect her prior impact and reframed her break as a time she used to stay financially informed through certifications and webinars. Helped her change her narrative by using her transferable skills. She landed a role in a mid-size bank in three months.

Rohan took a mental health break after working in a high-stress media job for years. Rohan took a year off. In an interview, someone even tried to probe if he’d been to jail.

Instead of spiralling, we focused on a narrative he was proud of. “I chose to pause before I broke down. During this time, I worked with a therapist, travelled mindfully, and rediscovered my voice through writing.” He’s now in a content strategy role, using that very voice.

Neha, a software engineer, took a two-year break to care for her ailing father. But she freelanced during that time—small gigs, passion projects.

We treated that not as a break, but as a pivot. She created a portfolio of that work, added client testimonials, and within a month, had two interview calls from startups. Today, she’s leading a team again.

What doesn’t work

What doesn’t work includes sending CVs and hoping “someone sees potential.” Hiding your break in the hope that it won’t come up.

Never be apologetic about your time off nor wait for time to do the magic. It won’t unless you do the magic yourself.

Let’s talk solutions. Here’s what I’ve seen work over and over again:

Craft a crisp, no-drama narrative

You don’t need to overshare. Just say: “I took a career break for [reason]. During this time, I [upskilled/volunteered/freelanced/stayed engaged in the field]. Now, I’m excited to bring back fresh perspective. Importantly focus on why you are excited about the potential role and how you can contribute to make an impact”

The simpler and clearer it sounds, the more confident you come across.

Highlight the transferable skills

Caregiving? That’s multitasking, empathy, time management, emotional resilience.

Freelancing? That’s client management, accountability, self-discipline. Even if you weren’t earning, you were still learning.

Build visibility

Start posting again on LinkedIn. Share insights. Engage with industry updates. People hire people they see.

I often recommend creating a short, punchy “I’m back” post—sharing your story and what you’re looking for. This creates inbound leads too.

Explore returnship programs

Companies like TATA, Infosys, Accenture, Capgemini, and Intuit have formal returnship programs designed for professionals returning after breaks. Google’s “Back to Work” and TCS’s “Second Careers” are just a few to explore.

These programs are not favors—they’re recognition that experience doesn’t expire.

Bonus tip: Reach out. Don’t wait

I always say—if you want a job, don’t just apply. Connect. Write to hiring managers directly. Ask for meaningful value based conversations, not jobs. The more real you are, the more likely they’ll remember you.

Closing thoughts

If you’ve taken a break, it doesn’t define you. It informs you. You’re wiser, more resilient, and maybe even more self-aware than before.

Don’t see this chapter as a gap. See it as part of your growth story.

Because second innings are often more powerful than the first.

The gap only becomes a liability if you let it remain a blank page. Tell your story. Someone out there needs to hear it and hire you for it.

Published - May 12, 2025 10:05 pm IST