How to Use the “Cocoon” of a Career Break to Launch you into Flight After Your Return to Work   

It often seems that the business community expects those returning to work after a career break to be like a butterfly — a creature that goes from a purely dormant state to one of flight and exploration. In fact, while a career hiatus is frequently anything but dormant (since there are new skills learned, etc.), in the eyes of businesses, those who have “paused” their careers for multitude of reasons have, effectively, been in a cocoon.

It’s worth it to examine that metaphor further, however: a cocoon is, after all, a place of metamorphosis.  And as with the butterfly, during a “career break,” a transformation does take place.  That transformation is usually in the form of developing and honing skills that are quite useful in the workplace, but that come without formal training and certainly no certifications. For example, many have stopped their careers to care for children, travel abroad for a spouse’s careers, or learned to care for aging family members (not to mention those who undergo health-related “breaks”). Thus, once the decision to stop working for a particular company or in a particular industry has been made, advancement still takes place in the area of sometimes incredibly useful life knowledge.

However, here’s the problem: the changes/advancements in one’s abilities and skills have come without merit increases or performance reviews — and no monetary bonuses at all. Yet despite this lack of recognition, most who have taken a job hiatus handle their unfamiliar but practical duties very well, and at some point decide they are ready to share their newly gained talents and repressed energy back into the business culture.  But how?

Acclimatizing Back into the Business World

On the whole, the business community welcomes employees back.  However, they somehow have the expectation that once “out of the cocoon,” you should be able to return to the workforce without hesitation. At that point, of course, there’s the question: where is your training?  How can you re-enter the work force ready to “fly,” to create spreadsheets, write business plans, set up global meetings (the list goes on and on), without having all or at least some of the necessary latest skills? Yet your re-entry is expected to be seamless, despite the changes in technology during the time that you have taken a so-called “break.” Thus, unlike the butterfly, and without thousands of years of genetic coding, it can be difficult to “fly” back into the workforce. Whether you are returning to the career that you left or are embarking on a new role, re-entry can be daunting.

So, when choosing to re-enter the workforce and make that next turn on your path in life, it is imperative that you find people to act as “road signs” along the way, giving direction to help you achieve your goals.  If you are one of the many who have taken a career break and don’t know where to turn, going to a conference such as Back to Business or iRelaunch is a great way to start.  Conferences such as these are both empowering and energizing, and a great place to meet others to help you reach your goals of re-entry.

Identify Your Career Confidants

One of the best takeaway messages that you will hear from these types of events is that it is imperative to find people for whom you have a high level of respect (whether you know them well or not), and to ask them to help you.  It only takes one person to be your “road sign” to guide you to the next turn in your life.

For instance, I found the conference that I attended via a French Language classmate (learning French will be a forever hobby of mine) when I was not working.  My classmate had a job, but was also willing to help me find the stepping-stone that I needed. You can find that same person, too, if you have the courage to ask those whom you respect and who are part of your daily life.

One of the speakers at the conference made a very helpful comment.  She said that, as you re-enter the workforce, you should select your very own “Board of Directors.” They will be crucial to your development.  She was right.  There are only a handful of people who will truly identify with you, and provide you with appropriate guidance for a truly positive outcome  that fits your needs.  They know you.  They know your family.  And most importantly, they want the absolute best for both.  Your Board of Directors can be any group of people on whom you can call for advice, and they will give you their honest opinion — with good intentions — for your best outcome.  This invaluable “Board” can be comprised of family, former colleagues, friends, or even the savvy carpool moms you know. The point is to select the members wisely.

Re-Entry Rules for the “Business Butterfly”

So in summary, if you are one of the many who have taken the (misleading!) term of “career break,” consider these points:

• Remember that you are not alone AT ALL!  There are likely people with the same dilemma right in your neighborhood.
• Know that while technology has changed, the basic understanding of your field of expertise has not.
• Seek out those whom you respect and ask for help.
• Don’t get discouraged.  Find out how others have overcome the hurdles and establish those that will be your “road signs.”
• Then when you are on the right path, establish your Board of Directors.
• Go out there and get what you want!

We are in unchartered territory being “Re-Launchers.” Just like the butterfly, we have gone through a major transformation during our time not working for a company, but unlike the butterfly, the next phase in our life does not have to be completely instinctual.  Rather, as humans, through attending useful conferences and establishing our Board of Directors, we can change what could be a bumpy course and smooth the process. So if you are hesitant about returning to work, don’t be! Look forward instead to using the life knowledge acquired during your hiatus and taking flight, charting a new path.