How do you network and reconnect with former colleagues or employers after a resume gap for personal reasons?

If you took a break from your career for personal reasons, such as caring for a family member, pursuing education, or dealing with health issues, you might wonder how to reconnect with your former colleagues or employers when you are ready to resume your job search. Having a strong network can help you find new opportunities, get referrals, and receive feedback on your resume and skills. Here are some tips on how to network and reconnect with your former contacts after a resume gap for personal reasons.

1 Update your online presence

Before you reach out to anyone, make sure your online presence reflects your current situation and goals. Update your LinkedIn profile, resume, portfolio, and any other relevant platforms with your latest achievements, education, projects, or volunteer work. Highlight the skills and value you can offer to potential employers, and use keywords that match your target industry and role. You can also join relevant groups, follow industry news, and share or comment on posts that showcase your expertise and interest.

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2 Rekindle old connections

Once you have updated your online presence, you can start rekindling your old connections. Identify the people you want to reconnect with, such as former managers, coworkers, mentors, clients, or vendors. Send them a personalized message that reminds them of your relationship, expresses your interest in their current work, and explains why you are reaching out. For example, you can ask for their advice, feedback, or referral for a specific opportunity, or simply catch up and share your plans. Be respectful, genuine, and concise, and avoid asking for favors right away.

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Colleen Paulson

Executive Career Consultant | Former Fortune 50 | Featured by Forbes, LinkedIn News, Yahoo Finance, FlexJobs | Community Board Leader
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You really want to make sure that you are establishing reciprocal connections. If you haven't talked with someone in 20 years, you probably don't want to start with a big ask (i.e. find me a job, refer me for a job, etc). Most people want to be helpful, but asking for too much is a definite turn-off.

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3 Expand your network

Besides rekindling your old connections, you can also expand your network by meeting new people who share your professional interests and goals. You can use online platforms, such as LinkedIn, Meetup, or Eventbrite, to find and attend virtual or in-person events, webinars, workshops, or courses related to your industry or field. You can also join online forums, communities, or groups where you can participate in discussions, ask questions, or offer help. When you meet new people, introduce yourself, express your curiosity, and exchange contact information. Follow up with a thank-you note and keep in touch until you build a rapport.

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Colleen Paulson

Executive Career Consultant | Former Fortune 50 | Featured by Forbes, LinkedIn News, Yahoo Finance, FlexJobs | Community Board Leader
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Your network isn't just people that you have worked with - its the other parents on your child's soccer team, your neighbors, and the other people that you see on a daily basis. Make sure to let those people that you see regularly know your goals so that they can help you to reach them.

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4 Showcase your value

As you network and reconnect with your former colleagues or employers, you want to showcase your value and demonstrate that you are a qualified and motivated candidate. You can do this by sharing your accomplishments, insights, or ideas that are relevant to their work or needs. You can also offer your assistance, support, or referrals to them, or introduce them to other valuable contacts in your network. By providing value, you can build trust, credibility, and goodwill, and increase your chances of getting noticed and recommended.

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5 Address your resume gap

One of the challenges of networking and reconnecting with your former contacts after a resume gap for personal reasons is addressing the gap itself. You might feel anxious or embarrassed about explaining why you took a break and how it affected your career. However, you don't have to apologize or hide your gap. Instead, you can address it confidently and positively, focusing on what you learned, achieved, or contributed during your time off. You can also emphasize how you kept your skills updated, relevant, and aligned with your goals.

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Colleen Paulson

Executive Career Consultant | Former Fortune 50 | Featured by Forbes, LinkedIn News, Yahoo Finance, FlexJobs | Community Board Leader
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Career breaks are natural: 62% of Americans have taken a career break at some point during their career. I advise my clients to show their break visually in their resume through a career note. Examples: Career Note: Served as primary caregiver for 3 children from 2010 - Present. Key accomplishments include serving as PTA Vice President and raising $25,000 in school fundraising campaign. Career Note: Completed PMP coursework and volunteered at North Hills Community Food Bank in 2022.

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6 Follow up and maintain relationships

The last tip on how to network and reconnect with your former colleagues or employers after a resume gap for personal reasons is to follow up and maintain your relationships. Networking is not a one-time event, but a continuous process of communication and collaboration. You should follow up with your contacts regularly, thank them for their help or support, update them on your progress, and offer your assistance or value. You should also maintain your relationships by staying in touch, sharing useful information, celebrating their achievements, or inviting them to events. By following up and maintaining your relationships, you can nurture your network and create long-term opportunities.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How do you network and reconnect with former colleagues or employers after a resume gap for personal reasons?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Update your online presence

2 Rekindle old connections

3 Expand your network

4 Showcase your value

5 Address your resume gap

6 Follow up and maintain relationships

7 Here’s what else to consider

Resume Writing

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How do you network and reconnect with former colleagues or employers after a resume gap for personal reasons?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Update your online presence

2 Rekindle old connections

3 Expand your network

4 Showcase your value

5 Address your resume gap

6 Follow up and maintain relationships

7 Here’s what else to consider

Resume Writing

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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