By Richard McFarland- Associate Director, VANRATH.
Here are the common mistakes we see people making — and how to avoid them
First thing's first: if you’ve taken time out of your career to raise a family, care for someone, or just breathe for a bit — that’s not a weakness. It’s a choice you've had to make and one that shows strength, prioritisation, and perspective. So let’s throw out the idea that you need to apologise for it.
That said, coming back to work after a break can be a weird, scary time. Confidence can wobble. Self-doubt creeps in. And you might find yourself second-guessing every move.
At VANRATH, we work with people every week who are navigating that return — and we see some very common patterns that (gently) need challenging. Here’s what they are, and what you can do instead.
READ MORE: Keeping up with an ever-changing job market
1. Downplaying Your Experience
We get it — when you’ve been out of the workforce for a few years, it’s tempting to lead with disclaimers:
“My CV isn’t very up-to-date…”
“I probably wouldn’t be qualified for that, but...”
Stop. Right. There.
Time away from a formal job doesn’t erase your skills. It adds to them. You’ve likely juggled competing demands, became an expert at time management, kept other humans alive, and handled more chaos than most boardrooms see in a week.
What to do instead:
→ Reframe your time away. Include voluntary work, freelance bits, upskilling, even complex life logistics. All of it counts. Own it.
2. Aiming Below Your Ability
Some women returning to work choose to ease back in by applying for junior roles — and if that feels right for you, that’s totally valid. You’ve got to do what works for your confidence, your life, and your current capacity. But you don’t have to start at the bottom if you don’t want to.
We see many women automatically assume they need to “work their way up again,” even when their experience says otherwise. But you're not starting from zero — you're stepping back in with a strong foundation already behind you.
What to do instead:
→ Look at roles that reflect your full skill set — not just the most recent things on your CV. Step where you feel ready, not where you feel you’re “supposed” to start.
3. Not Updating Your CV or LinkedIn Properly
Leaving a big gap on your CV with no explanation doesn’t do you any favours — it leaves the reader to make their own assumptions. Same goes for an outdated or inactive LinkedIn profile. It’s not that employers mind career breaks — they just want clarity.
What to do instead:
→ Include a short, confident note on your break. For example:
“2019–2024: Parental career break. Now returning to work with a focus on X, bringing [insert skills] from previous experience and time away.”
Keep it simple. Clear > defensive.
4. Not Speaking Up About Flexibility (Even When You Need It)
Many people worry that asking about flexibility will put them at a disadvantage — so they wait until after they’ve got the job to mention it. But if it’s important to you, it’s better to be upfront and find an employer who supports it from the start.
What to do instead:
→ Frame flexibility as a positive: “I’m looking for a role where I can bring [X] to the business while working in a way that supports balance. I’m open to discussing what that looks like.”
5. Trying to Do It All Alone
Returning to work is a transition — emotionally, mentally, logistically. It’s a lot. But so many people try to quietly figure it out without asking for support, advice or guidance.
What to do instead:
→ Get help. Speak to a recruiter who understands the market (we do). Talk to other professionals who’ve returned. Get a mentor. You don’t have to do this solo.
One Last Thought
Your career doesn’t come with an expiry date! Taking time away doesn’t mean you’ve fallen behind. And bringing that perspective, resilience and emotional intelligence back into the workplace is valuable.
So if you’re returning to work, stop playing small. Show up with clarity, confidence, and the reminder that you’ve still got it — even if you haven’t “used it” in a while.
We help people across Northern Ireland re-enter the workforce every week — and we’d love to support you too.
Whether you’re looking for flexible roles, CV advice, or just a bit of encouragement to get started, drop us a line. You’re more ready than you think.
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