If you haven’t been in the workforce for a while, it’s normal to feel a little unsure. Maybe you’re worried your skills aren’t up to date, or you’re anxious about starting something new.
Confidence matters when applying for jobs. It can often be the difference between getting the role or missing out. If you’re feeling low on confidence, here are some practical tips to help you feel ready to return to work.
Identify Your Transferable Skills
No matter what you’ve been doing during your career break – raising kids, volunteering, traveling, or working on a passion project, you’ve gained valuable skills. These are called transferable skills, and they’re highly valued by employers.
Think about what you’ve learned and how it benefits a future employer. For example:
- Parenting might have strengthened your time management and budgeting skills.
- Running a start-up could show entrepreneurial thinking and problem-solving.
- Traveling might highlight flexibility and resilience.
When you identify these skills, include them in your resume and talk about them in interviews. Framing your experience this way helps explain any gaps and builds confidence in what you can offer.
Think About Updating Your Skills
If you’re concerned your knowledge is out of date, consider refreshing it with short, targeted learning. Options include:
- Micro-credentials: Affordable online courses focused on one skill. Many universities offer these, and they can count toward future qualifications.
- Short courses: Available through TAFE, universities, and community colleges. They range from a few hours to several months and cover a wide variety of topics.
- Volunteer work: A great way to gain experience, try something new, and add recent achievements to your resume.
These steps not only improve your skills but also give you a confidence boost.
Reconnect With Your Industry
If you’re returning to a familiar field, reconnect with old colleagues and networks. Follow industry leaders and businesses on social media, sign up for newsletters, and join professional groups.
LinkedIn is a great place to start. It helps you stay up to date with industry news, connect with people, and find job opportunities.
Make It Official
Don’t keep your plans to return to work to yourself. Let friends, family, and professional contacts know you’re looking. They can offer feedback, share opportunities, and introduce you to people who might help.
Develop an Action Plan
“A goal without a plan is just a wish.”
Write down your goals and break them into clear, achievable steps with timeframes. Use the SMART approach—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-related. Tracking your progress will keep you motivated and build confidence as you tick off each milestone.
Returning to work is a big step, but with the right plan and support, you can feel ready and confident about what’s next. At Skillset, we’re here to help you make that transition and find a role that works for you.
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Skillset would like to acknowledge and pay respect to the traditional custodians of the lands on which we work.We are honoured to be on the ancestral lands of those whose cultures are among the oldest living cultures in human history. We pay respect to the Elders, past, present and to the younger generation of the community who will be the future leaders in years to come.