Lydia Martin

Healthcare Associate Director, APCO

 

Don’t mind the gap – returning to work after a career break

My advice to anyone who is on a career break and thinking about returning to work, is not to be self-conscious about a gap on your CV. 

I took a six-year break from a career that started in healthcare at Hill and Knowlton and continued in Government communications. My route back to work started in 2020 with F1 Recruitment’s Back2Businessship. On this returnship programme, it didn’t even occur to me that the other delegates’ expertise would have diminished during the time they spent looking after their families. Indeed, none of the recruiters I spoke to at this time were concerned about my career break, or even interested in what I had done during my time out. If you can talk compellingly about what you did during your career, you are already demonstrating that your experience is still valid. It doesn’t expire. 

Some of the most important talents in PR, like news sense and creativity, are more like instincts than technical skills that must be kept up to date. Whilst technology continues to evolve, our communications expertise is just as relevant as it ever was. For example, if you’re worried that influencers didn’t exist when you were last in the office, remember that we all played them into our communications strategies ten years ago, it’s just that then we called them “key opinion leaders” or “third-party advocates.” 

Shortly after the Back2Businessship, I secured two contracts with a charity and the NHS. It was exciting to do all the things that brought me into communications in the first place: identifying opportunities, creating a story, mitigating risks and providing trusted advice. For the last three years, I have worked at APCO, an inclusive consultancy that recognises that a diverse workforce achieves better results.  

Returners should know that the strongest teams incorporate diverse career paths and be confident that their experience is no less impressive now than the moment they stepped away. Taking a break doesn’t derail your career. It’s just about pressing pause.  

BACK2BUSINESSSHIP PROGRAMME

The CIPR is a long-standing partner to Back2Businessship. Nearly 500 women have been through the programme and are now back into their careers contributing over £12million year on year to household incomes.

The programme is designed to help parents and carers in the Marketing, Sports Marketing & Communications sector to get back into work after extended ‘time-out’ for family/childcare/caring reasons.

25% of Back2businessship delegates are from black, Asian and minority ethnic communities and 40% are first in family to go to University.

“An intensive refresh and re-boot in a supportive and inspiring environment. I am still blown away by the investment and kindness we were given and the amazing value each of us received.” One of many endorsement quotes received from 2024 attendees.