Rediscovering your career path after a break: How coaching can help 

By Anna Wilk, Career Coach in St Albans

A career break, whether due to maternity leave, redundancy, or other life events, is a significant transition that can leave you uncertain about your professional future. As a coach specialising in career reentry, I’ve seen firsthand how challenging it can be to step back into the office after time away. However, with the right strategies and support, these transitions can also be an opportunity for growth and renewal of purpose.

Understanding your new career landscape

Feeling lost or disconnected from the professional world after a career break is very common. You might wonder how the job market has evolved or how your skills and previous experience fit current demands. Coaching can help you find clarity and build confidence. I help clients navigate the new landscape they’re stepping back into, adjust to trends, understand what employers are looking for, and highlight any gaps that need addressing.

One practical step is to start by assessing your current skills and experiences. What new skills have you acquired, even indirectly, during your time away? For example, the organisational skills and resilience developed during maternity leave are highly valuable in any workplace. A coach helps you recognise these hidden strengths and how they can be reframed to fit a new landscape.

Setting clear, achievable goals

Reentering the workforce after a break isn’t just about landing a job—it’s about finding the right job that aligns with your new life situation, personal purpose, and professional aspirations. Often, clients come to me feeling overwhelmed with where to start. This is where goal setting becomes crucial. Together, we look at your situation and long-term goals while remembering your purpose and drivers.

A practical tip for anyone in this position is to think in terms of “next steps” rather than “big picture’ and “final destination”.

What is one small action you can take today that moves you closer to where you want to be?

Whether updating your LinkedIn profile, reconnecting with an old colleague, or signing up for a relevant course, these small steps create momentum.

Building confidence through preparation

Confidence can be one of the biggest hurdles when returning to work after a break. Feeling a sense of imposter syndrome or questioning your abilities is normal. A career coach can help you rebuild your professional confidence by focusing on preparation and practice.
Another essential element of confidence is your professional image. Nothing creates a better impression than a strong, updated headshot. A well-crafted professional photograph is more than just a picture; it’s your introduction to potential employers and clients. Feeling good about how you present yourself boosts your confidence in networking situations and interviews. And you only get one shot at first impression!

Crafting your personal brand

A break in your career can be an opportunity to rebrand yourself. Think of it as a fresh start where you can align your professional identity with your personal growth, values and purpose. What do you want to be known for? What are your core values, and how do they align with your career goals?
As a coach, I help clients articulate their unique value propositions.

This personal rebranding might also involve updating your wardrobe and professional headshot. A polished, current photo conveys that you’re serious about your return to work and aligns your visual presentation with the new narrative you’re building for yourself. It will give you a lift in real life and online as part of your LinkedIn update.

Achieving work-life harmony

One of the biggest concerns for many returning from a career break, especially after maternity leave, is balancing professional and personal responsibilities. The concept of work-life balance sometimes feels like an unattainable ideal. I prefer the term life-work harmony, and I collaborate with my clients to create scenarios where their career and personal lives coexist harmoniously.
This is where a coach’s role can be particularly impactful. Together, we can develop time management strategies, boundary-setting techniques, and self-care practices to ensure that you don’t just survive your return to work but thrive in it. One practical exercise is to map out a typical week and identify where to allocate time for focused work, family, and, importantly, yourself.

Continuing growth beyond your return

The journey doesn’t end once you’ve reentered the workforce. Career growth is ongoing; having a coach by your side can provide continued guidance and support. Whether navigating workplace dynamics, identifying further skill development opportunities, or exploring leadership roles, coaching helps ensure you’re always progressing with the right support.
For those who see coaching as an unnecessary expense, I’d challenge you to consider it an investment in yourself. A good coach doesn’t just help you land a job; they equip you with lifelong tools for professional development, confidence-building, and personal growth.

Conclusion

Returning to work after a career break can be both exciting and daunting. With the right support, it’s also an opportunity to redefine your professional identity, values, and purpose and align it more closely with who you are today. Coaching provides clarity, structure, and motivation, while an updated professional headshot can powerfully convey your personal brand and the confidence and readiness you bring to your new chapter. Both are invaluable tools in helping you get back to work and thrive there.