At our recent Back to Work Connect community event, we welcomed Monica Haughey, conscious coaching psychotherapist, for a powerful and practical workshop on “Creating a Back to Work Mindset.”
With over 90 registrations, it was clear this topic struck a chord.
As midlife returners and career changers know all too well, returning to work is rarely just about updating a CV. It’s about navigating confidence, identity, fear, ambition, family responsibilities — and sometimes, systemic barriers like ageism.
This session went deeper than job search tactics. It focused on the psychology of re-entry.
The Real Barrier: Limiting Beliefs
Monica opened the session by addressing something many Returners experience but don’t always voice — self-doubt.
Common thoughts shared in the room included:
“I’m not ready yet.”
“Things have moved on without me.”
“I don’t want to put myself out there.”
“I’m too old for this now.”
Monica encouraged participants to identify these internal narratives and gently challenge them. Awareness is the first step. Once we name a limiting belief, we can question it.
Rather than suppressing negative thoughts, Monica advised acknowledging them — and then consciously choosing not to let them dictate our next move
Clarity Before Action
One of the strongest messages from the workshop was this, clarity builds confidence.
If you don’t know what you want, you won’t get what you want
Before sending out applications, participants were encouraged to reflect on:
- What do I actually want?
- Why do I want to return to work?
- What are my strengths and values?
- What does success look like for me right now?
For many midlife professionals, returning to work isn’t just about income. It’s about purpose, contribution, stimulation, independence, or creating a new chapter.
Monica stressed that realistic, achievable goals are key. Small, experimental steps rather than dramatic leaps help rebuild momentum and self-belief
Confidence is Built — Not Found
A major theme of the session was confidence. Confidence doesn’t magically reappear when we decide to job search. It’s built through action.
Some practical strategies shared included:
- Seeking feedback from former colleagues to gain an objective view of your strengths
- Recognising and valuing experience gained during career breaks (including parenting, caregiving, volunteering)
- Preparing mentally and physically for re-entry
- Taking roles that may not be “perfect” but can open new doors
Be realistic
One participant shared how reconnecting with former colleagues helped counteract her own internal negativity. That outside perspective can be powerful.
Monica reminded attendees that employers are often lucky to have experienced, capable professionals returning to the workforce — even if we don’t always see that ourselves
Addressing Ageism and Modern Recruitment
The conversation also turned to structural challenges — particularly ageism.
Participants discussed:
- Feeling overlooked due to age
- The impact of AI-driven screening tools
- The lack of flexible and part-time opportunities
- The emotional toll of modern recruitment processes
Practical advice included removing older dates from CVs to focus attention on skills and experience, and staying focused on aligned, returner-friendly employers.
At Back to Work Connect, we continue to advocate for age and gender diversity and greater flexibility in hiring practices. The value of midlife workers — resilience, perspective, work ethic, emotional intelligence — is enormous. It deserves recognition.
Balancing Career and Family Realities
Another powerful thread throughout the discussion was balance.
Many Returners are navigating family commitments alongside career ambitions. Monica and Gina emphasised the importance of realistic job searches that align with life stage and responsibilities.
Sometimes the first step back isn’t the dream job — it’s a strategic stepping stone.
That is not settling. That is strategy.
From Insight to Action
The session closed with a simple but powerful call to action:
Write down three specific next steps for your back-to-work journey.
Not vague intentions, specific actions, because mindset shifts when behaviour shifts.
Finally
Returning to work is as much an emotional journey as a professional one.
This workshop reminded us that:
✨Your experience still matters.
✨Your strengths didn’t disappear.
✨Your next chapter is not behind you — it’s ahead.
At Back to Work Connect, we are committed to supporting midlife Returners not just with practical tools, but with the confidence and community needed to take that next step.
And if you’re considering your own return-to-work journey — know this: you are not alone, and you are more ready than you think.
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