Interviewing with confidence after an absence from the workforce

By Ken Pelczarski, Contributing Editor | TLT Career Coach July 2023

With preparation and motivation, you can overcome the challenge of returning to your career path.

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Have you ever voluntarily or involuntarily left the workforce for a year, two years, five years or even longer? If you have had this personal experience or know somebody who has been in this situation, you know how difficult it can be to obtain a good job offer. 

It is hard enough under normal circumstances to secure a great opportunity. It can become a daunting task when you factor in a competitive disadvantage such as having a lengthy absence from the workforce. 

So how do you approach a job interview with a positive attitude when you are re-entering the workforce after a long absence? Interviewing with confidence stems from planning, preparation, capabilities and motivation. You will be displaying your capabilities and motivation during the interview process, and your planning and preparation will be evident and impressive to a prospective employer. 

What are the most important ways to plan and prepare to rejoin the workforce? 
• Define your short- and long-term career goals: 
- Think carefully about goals over a long period of time. 
- Plan for types of positions and employers you desire. 
• Develop a job search action plan: 
- List target employers. 
- Research the latest news in your field. 
• Further your education: 
- Attend formal classes and seminars to stay current and sharpen your skill set. 
• Update your LinkedIn profile:
 - Include details of your experience and accomplishments. 
- Express clearly your desire to rejoin the workforce. 
• Organize networking contacts: 
- Keep in touch with these contacts during your workplace absence. 
- Update contacts on your active job search. 
• List your most recent accomplishments: 
- Include related achievements that display your skill set while out of the workforce. 
• Compose a template cover letter: 
- Emphasize your motivation and the benefit you bring to the employer. 
• Update your resume: 
- Have more than one resume for multiple types of positions. 
• Practice job interviewing: 
- Simulate interviews with family, friends and colleagues. 
• Attend industry events: 
- Go to trade shows, technical presentations and industry conferences. 
- Convey your career goals to industry professionals. 
• Research your average industry worth: 
- Determine in advance your flexibility on compensation. 
• Be prepared to discuss your workforce absence! 

This article is primarily about feeling confident during the job interview process, so I will now go into detail regarding what kinds of questions to expect from employers and some effective ways to respond. You will notice there are frequently similar recommended answers to the same question under different scenarios. 

Below are five of the most common reasons for leaving the workforce for an extended period (one year or longer) and then deciding to rejoin the workforce. 

1. EARLY RETIREMENT 
What questions might the employer ask: 
Why did you choose to retire? You will likely answer this question describing one of the following common scenarios: 
• You received an early retirement package that was too good to pass up. 
• You were encouraged by your employer to retire early. 
• Events in your personal life triggered your retirement. 
• You retired early to try a career change or start your own business. 
• It was your long-standing plan to retire at this point in your career. 

Why did you stay out of the workplace for so long? If your retirement was voluntary, express to the employer that you wanted to stick with your plan until you were certain it would not work for the long term. If retirement was encouraged by your employer, including through significant financial incentive, explain that you wanted to enjoy retirement for a while and spend time formulating your future career goals. 

Why have you chosen to rejoin the workforce? If your early retirement was strictly voluntary, you will need to answer as to why the sudden change of heart. Explain to the employer that you still have tremendous passion for your chosen career path and that you have a lot to accomplish yet. 

What are your career goals? Express to the employer that you are searching for a company with which you will spend the remainder of your career. Emphasize that you want a meaningful job with purpose, and one in which you can go out in a blaze of glory with exceptional achievements. Stress further that you want to mentor others. Finally, be transparent with the employer if money is not much of a driving factor. 

How quickly can you be up to speed? If you have only been out of the workforce for a year or two, state that your skill set is as sharp as ever, especially because of your many years of experience. If you left the workforce several years ago, convey that you have maintained your industry contacts and have stayed current with developments in your field. 

Is it possible you will choose to retire again soon? Specify the approximate number of years you are planning to work full time. Reiterate your excitement to rejoin the workforce. 

Why should we hire you instead of somebody with recent experience? Stress your wealth of experience, your motivation and especially your track record of success. Invite the employer to check your references. 

2. VOLUNTARY RESIGNATION OR PERSONAL LEAVE 
What questions might the employer ask: 
Why did you leave the workforce? There are many possible scenarios within this category. Your answer to this question will likely fall in one of the following areas: 
• You left your employer for ethical reasons. 
• You desired a career change or to start your own business. 
• The company was relocating, and you were not able to move. 
• You needed to take care of aging relatives. 
• You needed to take care of a close family member with a serious medical condition. 
• You needed to work full time on major projects in your personal life. 
• You and your family relocated to a new area. 
• You left during the COVID-19 pandemic for personal safety reasons. 
• You left during the COVID-19 pandemic to be with your family full time. 
• You left during the COVID-19 pandemic to reset your career goals. 

Why did you not rejoin the workforce sooner? It would not be surprising to most employers if you left the workforce voluntarily during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, you will need to explain further if there is a two- or three-year absence from working in your chosen career. The best answer is probably to state that reconnecting with your family and personal life was important to you, and that it took time to make a firm decision about returning to your original career path. 

It should be relatively easy to explain to employers if you left the workforce for personal reasons. It is best to just be honest about the extreme nature of the personal situation that caused you to quit your last job. 

Why are you rejoining the workforce currently? Express how happy you are now that impactful personal situations are behind you, and that you have never been this excited to start the next chapter in your career. 

How have your career goals changed since leaving the workforce? If you left the workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic and have not returned to your original chosen career, it will be important to explain the thought process that led you back to pursuing a position along the same path. 

If you left the workforce for personal reasons other than the COVID-19 pandemic, express that you have passion for your career and always intended to return when your personal life would not interfere. 

How quickly can you be up to speed? Stress to the employer the ways in which you have stayed current in your field such as 1.) attending seminars and presentations, 2.) attending industry conferences, 3.) reading about industry news and 4.) being in touch with your industry network. Attempt to convince the employer that you will be productive from day one because of your motivation. 

Is it possible that the same personal issues will arise again? The employer will feel most comfortable with your workplace absence if you are transparent about personal matters that kept you from working full time. You must explain thoroughly why it is extremely unlikely that these personal issues will resurface. 

Why should we hire you instead of somebody with recent experience? You need to convince the employer that you will be as productive and successful in a short time as somebody with recent experience. Prepare to give examples of your quick-learning ability and of new projects you have managed in the past with immediate success. 



3. MEDICAL LEAVE 
What questions might the employer ask: 
Did you need to leave the work force because of your medical condition? Answer this question by stating that either 1.) your medical condition temporarily prevented you from physically doing your job or 2.) your medical condition required too much time and attention that prevented you from excelling at your job. 

Did your medical condition cause you to leave the workforce for this entire time? Express to the employer that your medical condition was 100% responsible for your workplace absence and that you wanted to be sure that you were physically and mentally ready before returning to work. 

Are you now able to perform your job effectively without medical impairment? Answer that you feel strongly you can be as productive in your job now as you were before the medical issue occurred. If you have received official clearance from your physician to return to work, be sure to convey this point as well. 

Have your career goals changed since leaving the workforce? Emphasize that you have not wavered regarding your goal of returning to a career position as soon as possible. Express your disappointment that a medical issue temporarily derailed your recent track record of success. 

How quickly can you be up to speed? Express confidence and motivation regarding being up to speed quickly. Stress how eager you have been to return to the workforce, and that you have taken actions that are necessary to be productive from day one.

Is it possible that your medical condition will recur? It is recommended that you be as open as possible about your medical condition (at least categorize the issue), so the employer will recognize that your previous condition is not likely to return. 

Why should we hire you instead of somebody with recent experience? Once again, you need to prove to the employer that you will be a highly productive employee from day one. Promote to the employer that they will not notice the difference in the first few months between you and somebody with recent experience. 

4. INVOLUNTARY JOB DEPARTURE 
What questions might the employer ask: 
Why did you lose your previous job? Your answer to this question will likely be one of the following: 
• You were part of a companywide downsizing. 
• Your position was eliminated. 
• You were furloughed during the COVID-19 pandemic. 
• There was a mutual parting of ways. 
• You were let go for performance reasons. 

Why have you not obtained a job in your field sooner? Express to the employer that since you left the workforce involuntarily over a year ago, you have taken time off to reevaluate your career goals and not rush into another job that may end up being short term. 

If you took time off from your career for the past two or three years because of a furlough or layoff during the COVID-19 pandemic, convey that you have thought about or tried a career change but ultimately have become enthusiastic about returning to your original career path. 

If you were let go from your last position due to performance reasons, stress to the employer that you took time off to look at yourself and take the steps necessary to make sure that it does not happen again. 

How actively are you looking to rejoin the workforce? Emphasize that your time off work was relatively short and that you are excited about tackling the next challenge in your career path with conviction. 

What are your career goals? State to the employer that, upon losing your last job, you took some time off to recharge and take care of some personal matters. Express that you are excited to get back on the same career path as soon as possible and achieve big things. 

How quickly can you be up to speed? Emphasize that you have enhanced your skill set through new learning during your time off, and you expect to be even more productive with your next employer. 

If you were released from your job for performance issues, how have you changed since then? Convey your side of the story about being released from your last job, which could include describing a political situation or the employer’s unrealistic expectations. Acknowledge, though, that you have learned from the experience and will now be more thorough in discussing mutual expectations with prospective employers. 

Why should we hire you instead of somebody with recent experience? Promote to the employer that your time out of the workforce was a kind of positive mental reset that has increased your motivation, and that you are determined to have great success in the short term. 

5. RAISE CHILDREN 
What questions might the employer ask: 
Did you realize how difficult it would be to rejoin the workforce after so many years? This is frequently an extremely challenging scenario because you have likely been out of the workforce for five to 10 years or even longer. Answer this question by stating that, even though your career is important to you, family is your highest priority. Explain that you knew it would not be easy to rejoin the workforce years later, but you were willing to deal with the challenge. 

Why have you chosen to rejoin the workforce? Express firmly that returning to the workforce was always your plan and that you have been preparing for this moment for a long time. State that you are eager to prove a lot to yourself and to your new employer. 

How important is your career to you at the current time? Emphasize that you thoroughly enjoyed your career path before taking time off to raise your children and that it was a tough decision to leave the workforce. Convey your career passion to the employer, including your excitement to sink your teeth into new challenges. 

What are your career goals? State that your primary goal is to rejoin the workforce soon and be in a position where you will be satisfied, challenged and successful with an employer for the long term. 

How quickly can you be up to speed? It will mean a lot to employers if you have stayed current in your field while raising your children. Stress any continuing education you have acquired as well as the details of career planning you have done consistently over the years. 

Do you anticipate needing to take time out of the workforce again for family reasons? Convey to the employer that your children are now fully grown and that you are 100% dedicated to your career. 

Why should we hire you instead of somebody with recent experience? You need to convince the employer that they will be hiring a quality individual with a positive attitude, tremendous motivation and a well-suited skill set. Be sure to express if you are willing to start at a less than average salary and achieve specific goals before obtaining a significant increase in compensation. 

Answers to interview questions above are only general recommendations. Your own answers will be more specific in nature and will be based upon your career goals and planning. Answers also will be tailored to the types of jobs for which you are interviewing. The above recommendations are made with the assumption that you are continuing along your primary career path and not looking to make a career change. 

Rejoining the workforce after an extended absence can be extremely challenging. No matter what your circumstances, be sure to take a lot of time to plan and prepare when re-entering the workforce. Your confidence will show during the interview process and will give you the edge you need to beat out competing candidates for a great job opportunity. 
 Ken Pelczarski is owner and founder of Pelichem Associates, a Chicago-based search firm established in 1985 and specializing in the lubricants industry. You can reach Ken at (630) 960-1940 or at pelichem@aol.com.