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
Before you start rewriting your CV or LinkedIn profile, take a moment to look at your whole career journey.
Ask yourself:
- What am I most proud of?
- What experience do I bring?
- What have I learned during my career break?
- What motivates me now?
- What do I want an employer to remember about me?
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 back Creating a Vibrant Personal Brand in 4 East Steps
✅ Step 3
Refresh Your CV
Your CV should lead with your experience, strengths and achievements — not your career gap.
Use our Returner-Friendly CV Template to create a CV that:
✔ Highlights your professional experience
✔ Focuses on achievements rather than responsibilities
✔ Presents your career break positively
✔ Includes transferable skills
✔ Recognises volunteering and professional development
✔ Is easy for employers to navigate
Download our Returner-Friendly CV Template
Need more help?
Creating An Effective CV | 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
Tell the Same Story on LinkedIn
Your LinkedIn profile and CV should tell the same professional story.
Take 20 minutes to:
☐ Update your headline
☐ Refresh your About section
☐ Add your latest skills
☐ Include volunteering, study and professional development
☐ Check your employment dates
☐ Add a professional photo
☐ Make sure your career direction is clear
Watch back 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!
New to LinkedIn? Watch our LinkedIn: The Beginners Guide or LinkedIn: The Next Step
✅ Step 5
Practise Your 60 Second Introduction
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.
Download our 60 Second Introduction Workbook
✅ 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
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
Before You Finish…
Can you now:
☐ Explain your experience confidently?
☐ Name your key strengths?
☐ Explain your career break without apologising for it?
☐ Introduce yourself in around 60 seconds?
☐ Present a CV and LinkedIn profile that reflect where you’re going next?
If you’re saying yes to most of these, you’re ready to practise telling your story in an interview.
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
Learn how to answer common interview questions, use the STAR technique effectively and approach interviews with confidence.