DiscovergleReturning to Work After a Career Break: A Practical Approach
Gaps in a CV are common: caring for family, retrenchment, health, study or simply needing a rest. Employers see them more often than you might fear.
Key takeaways
- Career gaps are common and easier to explain than people expect.
- Keep the explanation short and honest.
- Part-time or contract work can be a gentle restart.
- Refresh your CV, references and skills.
Say it simply and honestly
One or two calm sentences are enough: what happened, what you learned or did during that time, and what you want next.
Restart small
Part-time or contract work can rebuild confidence, references and recent experience without the pressure of jumping straight back to full time.
Freshen your profile
- Update your CV with recent skills, courses or volunteering.
- Ask a former colleague for a short reference.
- Look into SkillsFuture options to top up relevant skills.
Take the first step at a pace that feels right. There is no deadline on starting again.
See our job types guide for a gentle place to start.
Common questions
How long a gap is too long?
There is no fixed limit. Employers care more about what you can do now and how you explain the gap.
Should I take part-time work first?
Part-time or contract work can help rebuild confidence and recent experience, and many people use it as a first step.