You’re ready. Now let’s find the right opportunity.
You’ve rebuilt your confidence, recognised your skills, explored your options, developed your career story and prepared for interviews.
Now it’s time to take the next step.
Back To Work Connect works with employers who recognise the value of experienced professionals, Returners and career changers. This roadmap will help you search strategically, apply with confidence and stay motivated throughout your job search.
Estimated time: Ongoing until you secure the right opportunity.
Before You Begin
A reminder…
Looking for a job can be exciting, but it can also be challenging.
Not every application will lead to an interview, and not every interview will lead to an offer.
That doesn’t mean you’re failing.
Every application is helping you:
✔️Build confidence
✔️Improve your CV
✔️Practise your interview skills
✔️Understand the market
✔️Learn what employers are looking for
Your goal isn’t to apply for the most jobs. It’s to apply for the right jobs.
✅ Step 1
Get Set Up for Your Job Search
If you haven’t already, create your free Back To Work Connect account. Sign up HERE
By registering you’ll be able to:
- Apply for Returner Friendly jobs
- Receive weekly Job Alerts
- Access our Membership area and resources
- Discover employers committed to inclusive hiring
- Stay informed about community events and workshops
✅ Step 2
Search Strategically
Don’t apply for every vacancy.
Instead, spend time identifying roles that genuinely match your:
✔️Skills
✔️Experience
✔️Interests
✔️Lifestyle
✔️Career goals
Quality applications are far more effective than quantity.
Watch back 10 Ways To Job Search Like A Pro
10 Ways To Job Search Like A Pro with Eoghan Crosby
During the session Eoghan will discuss:
- being honest about skills/ transparency
- importance of including gaps in the resume and explaining why
- tracking applications and staying resilient
- transferable skills (parent focus)
- employer’s mindset
✅ Step 3
Look for Returner-Friendly Signals
Before applying, spend a few minutes learning about the organisation.
When researching an employer, look for:
- Flexible or hybrid working
- Training and development
- Inclusive recruitment language
- Evidence that different career journeys are valued
- Employee stories and experiences
- Clear information about workplace culture
Read our Employer Spotlights to understand:
- Company culture
- Flexible working opportunities
- Career development
- Returner-friendly practices
- Employee stories
Finding the right employer is just as important as finding the right role. Explore Employer Spotlights
✅ Step 4
Tailor Every Application
Avoid sending the same CV for every role.
Instead:
- Read the job description carefully
- Match your experience to the role
- Highlight relevant transferable skills
- Include examples of your achievements
- Explain why you’re interested in that employer
A personalised application is far more likely to stand out.
Download our Job Search Tool Kit
✅ Step 5
Keep Track of Your Job Search
Once you’re applying for several roles, it’s surprisingly easy to lose track.
Record: Role | Employer | Date Applied | Closing Date | Status | Next Action
Don’t rely on your inbox to manage your job search. Keeping a simple record helps you stay organised and see how much progress you’re actually making.
✅ Step 6
Stay Resilient
Job searching can be challenging. There may be applications you never hear back from, interviews that don’t lead to offers and days when your confidence takes a knock.
That’s why it’s important to recognise progress along the way.
Celebrate:
✔ Sending a strong application
✔ Getting an interview
✔ Making a new connection
✔ Improving your CV
✔ Learning from an interview
✔ Trying again after a setback
Need a little extra support? Watch: Building Resilience on Your Returner Journey
Join a Community Event | Read Returner Stories | Contact Community Care
Before You Click Apply…
Ask yourself:
☐ Does this role match my strengths?
☐ Can I explain why I’m interested?
☐ Have I tailored my CV?
☐ Have I researched the employer?
☐ Can I demonstrate the key skills they’re asking for?
Community Support
Whether you’ve had a rejection, need help deciding whether to apply, or simply want someone to talk things through with, our Community Care Team is here to support you.
We’re here to answer questions, share resources and help you keep moving forward.
Contact Community Care on email at communitycare@backtoworkconnect.ie or mobile 089-4057839
You’re Ready to Put Your Roadmap Into Action
Can you now:
☐ Identify the type of roles you’re looking for?
☐ Recognise a Returner-Friendly employer?
☐ Decide whether a role is worth applying for?
☐ Tailor your CV to a vacancy?
☐ Keep track of your applications?
☐ Manage setbacks without giving up?
You don’t need to wait until you feel completely ready. You’ve done the preparation. Now it’s about taking consistent, manageable action.
You’ve come further than you think.
Take a moment to recognise everything you’ve achieved. You’ve invested time in rebuilding your confidence, identifying your strengths, exploring new possibilities and preparing for interviews.
Now it’s time to put all of that into action. The right opportunity may be closer than you think.
🎉 Congratulations!
You’ve completed your Back to Work Roadmap.
Whether you complete it in a few days or over several weeks, every step you’ve taken has been an investment in your future.
This isn’t the end of your journey. It’s the point where everything you’ve worked on starts coming together.
Browse Returner-Friendly Jobs
Sign Up for the Weekly Job Alert
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