Stepping away from your career is something many professionals do at some point in life. Maybe you took time off to care for family, pursue personal goals, support your community, or simply recharge. Regardless of the reason for your unemployment, you may feel nervous at the thought of returning to work after a career break. But you don’t need to be!
Today’s job market is more welcoming than ever to professionals with career gaps. Employers increasingly value life experience and fresh perspectives. With the right plan, you can step back into the workforce with confidence and clarity or even discover a new path you hadn’t considered before.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to frame your career break, rebuild your confidence, and explore the freedom and flexibility of becoming a licensed real estate broker in North Carolina.
Key Takeaways
- Career Breaks Are Common: Over half of professionals have taken time off from their careers.
- Your Experience Has Value: Life lessons, caregiving, and community involvement all build skills that transfer to professional roles.
- Confidence Can Be Reclaimed: Reflecting on past wins and learning new skills can help you rebuild your sense of purpose.
- There Are Tools to Help You Learn: Online education and short courses make it easier than ever to brush up or re-skill.
- Real Estate Offers a Fresh Start: North Carolina’s real estate industry gives returning professionals a flexible, fulfilling career path.
Why Career Breaks Are No Longer a Setback
There was a time when a gap in your resume felt like a disadvantage. That’s no longer the case. LinkedIn reports that over 60% of professionals have taken time off at some point in their careers, and employers are becoming more open-minded about nontraditional work histories.
Time away from your job doesn’t mean time away from growth. Many professionals use this period to develop new skills, manage household responsibilities, volunteer, or support others. These activities help sharpen soft skills, like communication, decision-making, and organization, that are essential in today’s workplace.
How to reframe your time away as a strength
Think about what you accomplished during your career break. Were you coordinating a household? Leading a volunteer group? Working within your community? Learning something new? These experiences demonstrate initiative and responsibility.
Transferable strengths may include:
- Time and project management
- Leadership and collaboration
- Financial decision-making
- Patience, empathy, and resilience
If you completed training, took courses, or earned certifications during your time away, be sure to highlight them. It shows employers that you stayed committed to personal and professional growth.
Talking about your break with confidence
Keep your explanations about your career break simple and forward-looking. Explain what you did, what you learned, and why you’re excited to return.
Example:
“I stepped away from my previous role to support my family and pursue professional development through online courses and volunteer leadership. I’m now ready to re-enter the workforce with fresh energy and focus.”
Stay Current with Skills, Tools, and Trends
Things change quickly in today’s job market. Taking time to familiarize yourself with updated workplace tools, software platforms, and industry trends will help you feel more prepared and make a stronger impression during job interviews.
Here are a few easy ways to get started:
- Read industry news and blog articles
- Subscribe to newsletters or follow thought leaders
- Take free or low-cost online courses to refresh skills
Learning about AI and new tech tools
Artificial intelligence is increasingly shaping how we work. Even a basic understanding of how AI supports productivity and communication can help you stand out.
Consider:
- Watching beginner-friendly AI tutorials
- Exploring how tools like chat platforms or automation software are used in your field
- Taking short courses that introduce AI concepts
Being curious and proactive about technology shows employers that you’re adaptable and eager to grow.
Rebuilding Your Confidence and Addressing Gaps
One of the biggest challenges of returning to work after a break is regaining your confidence. Start by making a list of things you’ve accomplished, both during your career and during your time away. Remember: your value isn’t defined by a job title or timeline. It’s defined by what you’ve done and what you bring to the table now.
Listing a career break on your resume
Don’t be afraid to name your career break directly on your resume. Here’s an example:
Career Break (2020–2023): Focused on family care and completed professional development courses in communications and CRM platforms.
Be honest, but stay focused on what you’ve gained and where you’re headed next.
Get ready for interviews with preparation and clarity
Interviews can be intimidating after time away, but preparation makes all the difference. Craft a short elevator pitch that explains who you are, what you’ve done, and why now is the right time for your next step.
Tips to prep for a confident interview
- Practice your elevator pitch until it feels natural
- Prepare answers for common questions, especially about your break
- Research the company’s values and goals
- Practice with a friend or mentor to get feedback
The more prepared you are, the more clearly you’ll be able to communicate your strengths and enthusiasm.
Reconnect With Your Professional Network
Returning to work doesn’t mean starting from scratch. You already have a network—you just need to tap back into it. Update your LinkedIn profile to reflect your current goals and professional interests, and reconnect with colleagues, classmates, and mentors.
North Carolina is home to vibrant professional communities and industry events. Attending a local meetup, seminar, or networking function can help you make new contacts and feel like part of the working world again.
Consider a New Direction: Become a Real Estate Broker
After time away from the workforce, many professionals realize they want more freedom and control over how they work. If a traditional 9-to-5 no longer fits your life, real estate may be the career shift you’ve been waiting for.
As a licensed real estate broker in North Carolina, you can enjoy independence, flexibility, and a business that grows around your lifestyle.
Why real estate is a great fit for returning professionals
When you become a broker, you can:
- Set your own schedule and pace
- Work where and how you want—on-site, from home, or in your community
- Build your income based on your effort and goals
- Choose the clients, neighborhoods, and properties you want to serve
No previous real estate experience is needed—just a willingness to learn, and a desire to help people navigate one of life’s biggest decisions.
Real estate also offers:
- Accessible training and licensing
- Opportunities to connect with others and rebuild confidence
- A flexible career that evolves with your lifestyle
Take the Next Step with Superior School of Real Estate
Returning to work after a career break is a bold, inspiring move, and you deserve a school that supports every step of your journey.
At Superior School of Real Estate, you’ll gain more than just a license. You’ll learn from North Carolina’s most respected instructors. Superior has licensed more real estate brokers than any other school in the state because our programs are flexible, practical, and expertly designed.
Superior offers day, evening, and weekend classes with instructors who are active brokers in your own community. You’ll get real-world insights and the support you need to succeed.
Whether you’re ready for a fresh start or exploring your next big move, let Superior guide your comeback.
