Getting yourself back into work

As the kids head back to school many parents will be thinking of going back to work or taking on a role with more hours. This can seem daunting and many will wonder how to explain the gap on their CV. We’ve teamed up with Anna Purchas, head of people at KPMG, for her top tips for getting back into the workplace...

Don’t worry about being open about time spent away from the workplace. Whether it’s time off for caring for your family or redundancy, long or short career breaks won’t count against you. Any business worth their salt will understand everyone has different personal circumstances. If there are transferable skills you’ve learnt during your career break via volunteering or any ad hoc work, always mention them.

Going back to work is an opportunity to really consider the kind of role you want. You could retrain and try your hand at something new or think about the skills you have that you could apply to a different job or industry.

Job and industry intel, via a bit of research, can make all the difference. Knowing the latest trends, industry news and the average salary for a particular job can help you secure both the role and wages that you want.

Have a real think about what working hours or flexible working arrangements would suit you best. Many companies promote what they offer on their recruitment websites. If it’s not available, ask – either before you apply or before you accept it.

Know your value. It’s easy to think you might struggle to find a role but your skills and previous experience are hugely valuable and will be recognised.