Trying to get back into work place after a career break

[Helpisneeded100]

Hi all,

Would love any tips and advice to help me return to work after a career break. I’m a chartered accountant with over 15 years experience of working in the Financial Services sector and I took a career break after having children 10 years ago. I have kept up my CPD and qualification by teaching the AAT qualification online.

I have seen a job I would like to apply for and I feel I could do it well. However, I think my application would benefit from a cover letter to explain why I think I could do the role after a career break.

Any tips, advice on what I should include, structure of covering letter etc would be gratefully received.

thank you xx

I’m not sure I would call it a career break if you’ve been teaching during that time. I would frame it more positively than that and don’t bother explaining- if there is a gap between your last role and starting teaching leave it to them- if they ask then explain but don’t highlight a gap in your cover letter. In your CV state teaching 20xx to present (state part time if needed)

Instead of specific dates in your CV put the years that you worked.

If you want to put the gap in your CV I wouldn’t include the years when you were teaching. I saw one man (if you’re female I know we’re generally judged differently on this matter) put Full time parenting as his gap and he’s gone straight in to a job.

Good luck!

Thank you so much for this advice, I understand the point re making too much of a career break and I like the idea of changing from exact dates to years.

That is a very confident move to our Full time parent on your CV, I love it though!

thank you for all of your advice xx

Definitely highlight how you've stayed up to date with your CPD and qualifications—shows you’re still in the game! For the cover letter, I’d suggest focusing on how teaching has kept your skills sharp and how your experience managing everything at home makes you even better at multitasking and staying organized.

There are some great resources out there for women returning to work after a break that might help boost your confidence and give you some extra tips for your application, I know ivee.jobs has a CV template specifically for this and the government website has lots of advice for returners.

Best of luck!!