Choosing to return to work after a career break reflects a quiet courage. Whether your time away was for motherhood, caregiving, retrenchment, study, or personal survival, this is not simply a return to your old self but a reclamation of your identity. You are not stepping back; you are moving forward with different resources, greater awareness, and a unique perspective shaped by everything you have experienced.
This transformation is not only acceptable, it’s commendable.
At RecruitMyMom, we have had the privilege of witnessing the return journeys of thousands of women. We know the private courage it takes to start again, especially when your confidence feels like a whisper rather than a roar. But confidence, you see, is a creature that follows motion. It does not wait at the start line; it joins you somewhere along the road.
So begin, even if you feel unready. Begin, not because you have all the answers, but because you trust that you will find your footing as you go.
You are not returning to work less than; you are returning refined
According to the 2025 Working Women in South Africa Report, 43 per cent of women have taken a career pause. Child-rearing, retrenchment, caregiving, relocation, the reasons are as varied as the women themselves. Yet 94 per cent return.
You are in fine company.
During this so-called gap, you honed judgment, sharpened empathy, negotiated chaos, and led without fanfare. These are not soft skills; they are executive-level competencies. The world may not yet speak that language fluently, but RecruitMyMom does - and so do the clients we work with.
You will likely want different things than before
The woman returning is not the woman who stepped away. Your values may have shifted, your ambitions redefined, your non-negotiables clarified. That is not regression, that is evolution.
Data shows that 68 per cent of women want full-time work with flexibility. Not because they lack ambition, but because they have seen what matters. If you now seek purpose over prestige, presence over posturing, do not apologise. You have earned the right to curate a working life that fits you with dignity and discernment.
You can begin small without shrinking yourself
Not every return needs to be a thunderous re-entry. Begin where you are. You might choose a contract role, a reduced week, or a freelance project. These are not lesser options, they are wise ones. They allow you to reawaken your professional self while honouring the cadence of your current life.
Many of the women on our platform re-enter gently, and then, quite naturally, rediscover their full power.
You deserve support, not just opportunity
This journey is not to be navigated alone. Speak to your recruiter. Ask thoughtful questions in interviews. Let your network know you are open. The right employer will not view your break as a red flag. They will see your return as an opportunity, wrapped in maturity and depth.
Do not be afraid to articulate what you need. You are not asking for favours, you are offering immense value. And the right companies will know that.
You are still that professional, and more
We often hear, “But I have been out too long. Will they still want me?” Yes. If you are willing to put yourself out there.
Mothers, in particular, are among the most reliable, resourceful, and productive employees. Our data shows they stay longer, deliver more, and enrich culture quietly and powerfully. You are not a risk. You are a wise investment.
Let this be your reclamation, not just a return
There is no perfect moment. No magical signal that says, “Now you are ready.” You may still be juggling supper and spelling tests, brushing up on Excel after bedtime, or rewriting your CV during nap time. That is not a detour. That is determination.
Let your return be honest, grounded, and sincerely yours. Let it be less about proving and more about becoming. You are not too late. You are precisely on time for your next chapter.
Looking for work that respects your life and values your experience?
Explore flexible, remote, and professional roles on RecruitMyMom.co.za. We are here to help guide your return. We have seen it many times before, you are not alone.
