If I were preparing for a $200k+ role after a career gap, here’s exactly what I’d do.
I speak to a lot of women who took a break, and most of them assume they need to start from the bottom again.
But that’s not true.
- A break doesn’t erase the years of experience you’ve built.
- It doesn’t make you less capable.
- And it definitely doesn’t mean you’re not worthy of a high-paying, senior role.
However, most recruiters and hiring managers often look at gaps as a red flag.
Their biggest worry is if you are still in touch with the industry.
So if I were preparing for a $200k+ role after a career break, here’s how I’d do it:
1) Build a strong mindset
I’d never settle for less just because I’ve been out of the workforce.
The experience, leadership, and results I’ve delivered still hold value.
A gap isn’t what defines my career - what I do next is.
2) Bridge the gap in my resume
I’d highlight how I stayed engaged - whether through certifications, pro bono work, consulting projects, or volunteering.
Hiring managers need to see that I never truly stepped away from growth.
3) Reignite my network
I’d reach out to former colleagues, managers, and industry peers a few months before actively starting to apply.
The best opportunities don’t always come from job boards - they come from conversations
4) Sharpen my interviewing skills
After spending more than a decade in the industry, I've learned confidence is everything.
I’d do as many mock interviews as I can to get comfortable answering tough questions about my career gap and my value as a candidate. The goal is to sound natural and impactful.
5) I won’t accept an offer without negotiating
I’d never undersell myself simply because I took a break. I’ll negotiate hard and ask for my market worth.
6) I’d work with a career coach
The most successful leaders and athletes have coaches too.
I’d stop wasting time in trial and error and find a coach to help me refine my positioning, rebuild confidence, and create a strategy to land the right role.
This is exactly the roadmap one of my clients followed when she returned to work after taking a 3-year career break to care for her young family.
RESULT: She landed a Senior Audit Manager role with HP within 90 days of working together. (screenshot attached in the comments)
