Dear Readers: If you took a hiatus from work, whether it was a few months or several years, you may be wondering: How can you land a coveted new job?

If you took a significant break from work, you’re not alone. Countless Americans do it and then reboot their careers.

When I worked in recruiting, candidates who were most successful in reentering the workforce after a break, such as several months to more than a decade, prioritized their soft skills.

Rather than devalue them because they weren’t working a paid position (such as a volunteer role where they gained and honed important skills and also gained references through these opportunities), they shone a spotlight on them, front and center. Additionally, they convinced employers how these important skills parlayed directly into the job they were pursuing even if they didn’t have prior experience in that particular role.

For instance, hardworking stay-at-home mothers who secured interviews and jobs successfully highlighted their multi-tasking skills along with their time-, project- and budget-management skills. As technology advanced, and they didn’t have access to daily hands-on work with specific tech tools, they upskilled by earning certifications so their resumes remained relevant.

Hiatus job seekers also reignited their network, connecting with former business colleagues, and tapped into their current network of friends and peers in their “tribe.” These networks included connections if they took a break to pursue an MBA (their students, alumni, professors and the campus career office), other parents and online parent groups (if they were stay-at-home parents) and more. Connecting to ask your network who they know in certain industries and/or companies is key, as they can also vouch for you having highly valuable traits employers seek such as respect and integrity.

Leaning into the network you may have had during your hiatus can be helpful, and then speaking about these experiences may be a bridge to the job you’re pursuing. From an employer perspective, Iryna Mordovets, HR business partner at Storyby, said preparation is key to explain essential questions to the hiring manager.

“Clearly explain the reason for the pause and your motivation and willingness to work in this particular company. Studying during the break is a big plus. If you have taken courses or received new certificates, be sure to mention them in your CV and talk about them during the interview. This shows that you used the pause to your advantage,” said Mordovets.

Diana Bernal, founder, Corner Office Latinas, suggested doing some introspection as well to boost clarity and confidence. “Write out your top five accomplishments and top five strengths. Go back to old performance reviews if you need a reminder. Journal on this daily or weekly,” Bernal said.

Also, consider this new chapter an opportunity to pursue new paths that may be more meaningful to you than your previous roles and employers.

Tribune News Service