Your experience has value. Learn how to tell it with confidence.
One of the biggest concerns Returners have is explaining a career break. The good news is that you don’t need to apologise for your journey—you simply need to tell your story clearly and confidently.
This roadmap will help you create a compelling CV, develop your personal brand and confidently communicate the experience, skills and perspective you bring.
Estimated time: Work through at your own pace (around 1–2 weeks)
Before You Begin
A reminder…
Your career break is only one chapter of your story. It does not define your career, your experience or your future.
Employers are interested in:
👉What you’ve done
👉What you’ve learned
👉What you can offer
👉Why you’re excited about returning
The more comfortable you become talking about your journey, the more confidence you’ll bring to applications, networking and interviews.
Your story isn’t about explaining why you stepped away. It’s about showing the value you bring today.
✅ Step 1
Understand Your Story
Take a few moments to reflect on your career journey.
Think about:
What you’ve achieved ✔️
What you’ve learned during your career break ✔️
What motivates you now ✔️
What makes you different ✔️
Every career journey is unique. Employers value authenticity.
Download your Career Story Reflection Worksheet
✅ Step 2
Create Your Personal Brand
Your personal brand is simply the way you communicate who you are and the value you bring.
Our Creating a Vibrant Personal Brand in 4 Easy Steps workshop will help you identify your strengths, clarify your message and build a consistent professional presence across your CV, LinkedIn profile and interviews.
Watch Creating a Vibrant Personal Brand in 4 East Steps
Creating a Vibrant Personal Brand in 4 Easy Steps with the award-winning Carol O’Kelly
You never get a second chance to make a first impression—so let’s make it one that will set you apart, build trust and reflect who you are.
Professional Personal Branding is not about headshots and adding colour to your wardrobe. It’s so much more than that, it’s about how you want people to see you.
This session will be fast paced, great fun and highly interactive. You’ll learn how to build out each value pillar in a clear framework that’s easy to adapt and personalise. You’ll quickly see the transformative results of having a strong personal brand.
✅ Step 3
Refresh Your CV
Now it’s time to update your CV.
Focus on:
✨Your achievements
✨Transferable skills
✨Results you’ve delivered
✨A positive explanation of your career break
Remember, employers are looking for the value you bring—not just your employment dates.
Explore these recources
Creating An Effective CV: The Dos And Don’ts
How Tailoring Your CV Can Get You Noticed by Employers
Six Tips on Writing a Compelling Return-to-Work CV
Watch back Is AI the Future of CV Writing with Laura Griffin
Is AI the Future of CV Writing with Laura Griffin
Artificial Intelligence is topical in every arena right now, and recruitment is no exception. The question is: should you be using AI to write your CV?
During this session, we will explore:
- How to use AI to stand out from the crowd.
- Top tips for creating a compelling CV.
- Do’s and Don’ts for using AI effectively in CV creation.
- How to target your job search and maximise your chances of success.
- The role of LinkedIn
✅ Step 4
Optimise Your LinkedIn Profile
LinkedIn is often the first place employers look.
Take 20 minutes to:
Update your headline ✔️
Refresh your profile summary ✔️
Add your latest skills ✔️
Include volunteering, study or professional development ✔️
Upload a professional photo ✔️
Your LinkedIn profile should tell the same story as your CV.
Watch back
LinkedIn: The Beginners Guide will take you through the process from setting up your LinkedIn account, networking, the job search and the many opportunities that LinkedIn Learning can offer. 
Part 2 of our LinkedIn Webinar – LinkedIn: The Next Step will re-cap getting started on LinkedIn PLUS will look at the job search, what types of jobs are available in Ireland and the top skills that are required now in the Irish jobs market.
Unlocking Your LinkedIn Network
Unlocking Your LinkedIn Network
An introductory session to the 900m members that are the global LinkedIn network, and the importance of ensuring that your profile is set up in the best way get value from this. This will be a session walking through tips and tricks to make sure that your profile stands out from the pack, but is also authentic to your own brand and your professional goals. Feel free to ask whatever you would like to get value from the session, no question is too small!
✅ Step 5
Practise Your Elevator Pitch
Imagine someone asks:
“Tell me about yourself.”
Can you answer confidently in 60 seconds?
Write a short introduction that includes:
✨Your professional background
✨The strengths you bring
✨What you’ve been doing during your career break
✨The type of opportunity you’re looking for
The more you practise, the more natural it becomes.
60-Second Introduction Template
✅ Step 6
Get Professional Feedback
Before sending applications, have someone review your CV and career story.
Our CV Review Clinics provide practical, supportive feedback from experienced career coaches who understand the Returner journey.
Sometimes one small change can make a big difference.
Book a place on our next CV Review Clinic
Instead of focusing on what you haven’t done, think about what you have.
Try completing these sentences:
👉During my career break, I developed…
👉One challenge I’m proud of overcoming is…
👉The experience I’m bringing back to the workplace includes…
👉I’m excited to return because…
You don’t need to justify your career break. You simply need to explain it with confidence and honesty.
Community Support
Need help telling your story?
Writing about yourself can be one of the hardest parts of returning to work. If you’re struggling with your CV, LinkedIn profile or explaining your career break, our Community Care Team is here to help.
Whether you need a second opinion or simply someone to encourage you, we’d love to support you.
Contact Community Care on email at communitycare@backtoworkconnect.ie or mobile 089-4057839
Sign up for our weekly Returner Friendly Job Alert HERE
Your story is your strength.
Your career journey may not have been a straight line, but every experience has shaped who you are today. The right employer won’t just see your career break. They’ll see your experience, resilience, perspective and potential.
Own your story with confidence.
Continue Your Journey
Ready for the next step?
Now that you’ve learned how to communicate your value, it’s time to prepare for interviews and confidently share your story with employers.
Next Roadmap
🎤 Prepare for Interviews
Learn how to answer common interview questions, use the STAR technique effectively and approach interviews with confidence.
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Roadmap Find Returner-Friendly Jobs