Typical situations
- You are coming back from parental leave and don’t want to go back to what you did before.
Your old job no longer fits the hours you have now. That is a reason to plan anew.
- You cared for relatives and need predictable hours.
Maybe you are still caring for someone. Your fresh start needs conditions that can handle that, without wearing you out.
- You were ill for a long time and want to get a foothold again.
Slowly, with consideration for your strength. The way back can happen in stages.
The break is not a gap
Anyone who raises children, cares for relatives or gets through an illness is working. Just without a payslip. Organizing, negotiating with authorities, holding on under pressure, setting priorities: These are skills that count at work too.
So don’t describe the break as an excuse, but as a period with content. “Three years of family time with responsibility for organization, finances and care” says more than “parental leave”.
Conditions first, occupation second
When you return to work, the conditions matter more than the job title. Clarify them before you search for occupations:
- Hours: How many per week are realistic today? And in a year?
- Times: Fixed mornings, no weekends, some working from home? What is a must, what is a wish?
- Place: How long can the commute be so that care arrangements and appointments work?
- Strain: Physical, emotional, responsibility. What can you handle well right now?
- Income: What is the minimum you need to earn so that returning is worth it for you?
With this list you quickly see which fields of work fit and which you put aside for now despite your interest.
Back step by step
Job shadowing (Hospitation) or trial day (Probetag)
A day at a company shows you more than any description. Ask for it openly and say honestly that you are exploring your options.
Starting part-time
A reduced start lowers the pressure and can be expanded later. Raise this openly, even if the ad only mentions full time.
Refresh your knowledge before you apply
If your professional knowledge is older, a short course helps you go into the conversation with confidence. This applies especially to software, regulations and procedures that change quickly.
Use advice services
There is advice especially for returning to work, for example from municipalities and training providers, in part with funding for courses. The checklist helps you prepare your request.
No guarantee of accuracy.
Talking about the break with confidence
The question about the break often comes up in an interview. Prepare a short, honest answer: what happened, what you take away from it, and why now is the right time. Three sentences are enough. Then you steer the conversation back to what you can do.
What you don’t have to do: explain illnesses in detail, justify yourself or bring up care arrangements unasked. What you should clarify: the conditions that are not negotiable for you. Better early than after you get the job offer.
Think about which experience from your break fits the occupation, and use the Experience translator also for time spent on family and care.
Your next steps
- Set your conditions: hours, times, place, strain, income.
- Describe your break in three sentences as a period with content.
- Ask the employer for a trial day to test your return.