No matter if it was for raising children, caring for an elderly relative or recovering from illness - there can be numerous reasons for taking time off work that you find yourself feeling ready to return after an extended absence.

Reentering the workplace after an extended absence can be daunting, so here are a few strategies to help ensure success: 1. Hone Your Skills.

1. Take Stock of Your Skills and Experience

Many individuals take career breaks for various reasons, from raising children to caring for an ill family member. No matter why they took time away from the workforce, technology may have advanced while you were away and expectations may have changed significantly during your absence.

Prior to returning to the workforce, it's vitally important that you evaluate your skills. Consider enrolling in classes, subscribing to industry publications and websites, and browsing job postings online within your desired field - these actions will allow you to understand what's new as well as if any of your skills may have become outdated in your time away.

As part of your plan for reentering the workforce and building skills for your desired role, a returnship or bridge job could provide invaluable assistance in getting back into full-time employment. It allows you to practice interview techniques and demonstrate work ethics. Furthermore, this experience can ease any lingering doubts hiring managers may have regarding gaps on your resume and give insight into what you enjoy about working - helping make the transition back into full-time employment much simpler.

2. Update Your Resume

Even if your time away was due to raising a family, furthering your education or caring for someone close, any work experience gained is still valuable. Be sure to update your resume by emphasizing relevant skills and abilities that can translate to any position applied for. For long gaps on your resume consider using functional format instead of chronological one as this emphasizes skills rather than work chronology.

Use volunteering or freelance work to keep your professional skills current and lessen any employment gaps in your resume and LinkedIn profile. In addition, explore programs such as IRelaunch that offer job placement services or mentorship for professionals returning after long absences from the workforce.

If you already have industry contacts, arrange informational interviews with individuals at target companies. This will give you the chance to test the waters while also giving your contacts the chance to recommend you positively and refer potential employers directly. In addition, ask these connections if they would mind providing referrals - this way no referral fee will be assessed from them either!

3. Update Your LinkedIn Profile

Staying current on LinkedIn is vital to maintaining an excellent professional image and showing potential employers how your career has progressed.

If you've recently been promoted within your current organization, add it to your profile to showcase your advancement while assuaging any worries a hiring manager may have about an extended leave of absence. This will serve both purposes.

Redefining your title, responsibilities, skillset and qualifications are also beneficial when adding new positions to your professional profile. Don't hesitate to ask your boss or supervisor for an endorsement to bolster this aspect of your professional life!

Be mindful that, without changing your privacy settings, much of the information on your LinkedIn profile is public and can be seen by anyone searching for your name on the platform. As a result, when making changes it's advisable to make them in stealth mode so as to avoid alerting current employers that you're actively looking for employment elsewhere; otherwise they could see your LinkedIn activity as a red flag and take appropriate measures against it.

4. Reach Out to Your Network

Reconnecting with former colleagues and acquaintances is vital when searching for a job. A strong network can expose opportunities, connect you with hiring managers, and provide references.

As it's essential to your success to know where people are working now and what they are doing, conduct a mental scan of your current circle and identify those you could consider 'bumblebees'; people that know many people and cross pollinate everywhere in your community. Reach out to these 'bumblebees' by reaching out via email or calling to catch up - ask if any work for companies you'd like to join them at.

Consider seeking professional assistance, such as from a career coach or someone familiar with helping people reenter the workforce after an extended absence. Many communities offer free or low-cost career counseling through public agencies and libraries; furthermore there are numerous online resources that offer guidance for returning to work after taking an extended break; reading success stories of those who have done just this can also prove helpful.

5. Prepare for Interviews

Be prepared to explain any employment gaps when applying for positions or conducting informational interviews. Be honest but avoid dwelling on why the time away has made you stronger as an applicant.

As part of your interview process, be sure to emphasize your transferable skills like communication, time-management and creativity. Showing employers that you are open and willing to adapt will demonstrate flexibility as well as willingness to learn new tasks and responsibilities.

Keep smiling, maintaining eye contact and respecting the interviewer's time during an interview - it can be nerve-wracking to return to the workplace after an extended absence, but these tips should help prepare and land a job you love! For extra assistance consider reaching out to a career coach that specializes in helping those returning from maternity leave back into work. They may provide invaluable advice regarding interview preparation, salary negotiation and more - some even provide their services free or at an extremely reduced rate!