10 Signs You're Ready to Rejoin the Workforce (Even if You Don't Feel Like It)

Life has the ability to push us in diverging directions, and sometimes that's to move out of the workplace—maybe to start a family, provide care for someone dear, study further, nurture one's health, or take simply a very-needed break. As much as time off is fully acceptable, coming back to work can resemble attempting to ascend a mountain peak.

The biggest challenge? Not skills. Not a resume.

It's the persistent sense of "Am I really ready?"

If that resonates, you're not alone. And here's the best part: you might be more ready than you realize.

In this post, we'll take you through 10 clear, actionable signs that indicate you're ready to make your comeback—even if your confidence hasn't fully caught up yet.

1. You're Thinking About What's Next

That first question—"Should I go back to work?"—is more than just a passing thought. It shows that your motivation is coming back. Maybe you've started checking job websites, updating your LinkedIn profile, thinking about taking courses to stay updated or thinking about what kind of job you want. That interest and readiness for change is a strong sign that you're ready to return to work.

It signifies that you're no longer in pause mode—you're starting to plan and dream about your future.

2. You Feel Restless or Bored in Your Current Routine

Lately, have you felt like something’s missing in your life? Maybe your daily routine doesn’t excite you like it used to before. You could be looking for something fresh—new challenges, more mental strength, or just a change in your daily routine. likely, to say you want some changes to happen.

That feeling isn’t wrong—it’s your inner self informing you it’s time to grow. When your comfort zone starts to feel limiting, it is a sign that you’re ready to explore new things or achieve something.

3. You Miss Using Your Skills and Talents

Whether you're a great organizer, writer, manager, creative thinker, or problem solver—if you sense that your gifts are going to waste, that's a pretty good sign that you're ready to reconnect with work that values and leverages your specific talents.

Skills don't disappear. They wait.

And now, they're beckoning your back.

4. You're Curious About Learning Again

If you’ve been watching tutorials, taking free courses, or learning about what’s new in your field, you’re already getting back into a career mindset.

Even simple steps—like updating your skills or picking up something new—are signs that you are getting ready. You are slowly preparing for a comeback, even if you don't see it yet

5. You Hunger for Financial Freedom or Contribution

Money might not be the primary driver, but desiring to help out around the house or establish your own financial foundation is a strong indicator of readiness. It indicates that you're starting to think beyond the day-to-day and towards freedom, empowerment, and future aspirations.

Whether it's saving for your child's education, planning a trip, or taking back control of your own income—it all fuels your return.

6. You've Started Updating Your Resume or LinkedIn Profile

Even though you haven't pressed "save" or "publish" yet, opening those old files or writing a new profile indicates that you're willing to take back your professional persona. This little act takes a lot of guts, and it usually precedes our acknowledgment that we're serious about coming back.

Think about it: if you've even considered writing a resume, you're already half the way there.

7. You Want to Be a Role Model

For most, particularly moms, the desire to go back to work is usually born from somewhere more profound—to serve as a role model. You want to show your kids, your family, or even yourself that it's never too late to begin again, rebuild your career, or follow a dream.

Such a desire to inspire others is one of the best motivators driving a comeback to success.

8. You Feel More Emotionally and Logistically Stable

Sometimes, timing just didn't quite work before. But now, things might be stabilizing—your kids are older, you've come back from a health hurdle, or life just created room for something more.

If you're feeling balance returning, that's a message from the universe that you're ready to proceed.

9. You're Afraid… But Still Curious

Let's get real fear is always involved in a comeback. What if I'm not good enough for this role? What if I don't get hired? What if I fail?

But if you sense even a little bit of excitement beneath those fears, you're not trapped—you're at the threshold of something new. The mix of fear and curiosity means growth is on the horizon.

Sometimes "Being Courageous doesn't mean you're not scared. It means you act anyway, even while you're scared."

10. You're Reading This Blog Right Now

Yes, this is included.

You're actually looking for guidance, help, and clarification. You're doing the work. You're researching possibilities. You're thinking forward. That in itself makes you so incredibly brave and competent.

Reading this indicates that you're no longer simply considering a comeback.

You're beginning it.

So… What If You Don't Feel 100% Ready?

That's fine. Nobody ever is.

Coming back to work after an absence—be it 6 months or 6 years—is uncertain. Yet being "ready" doesn't equate to having all your ducks in a row.

It just means:

✅ You're willing to give it a go.

✅ You're open to development.

✅ You feel that you still have something of worth to contribute.

Because you do.

Final Thoughts: You're Not Starting Over—You're Starting From Experience

You've weathered adversity. You've emerged stronger. You've developed emotional intelligence, flexibility, and problem-solving skills—all these are extremely useful in the workplace.

You're not too late. You're on time for your own path.

And the greatest part? You don't have to go it alone. There's an entire world of resources, communities, and support systems (such as this blog!) available to walk with you each step of the way.

Ready to Take the First Step?

 Get our complimentary "Career Comeback Readiness Quiz" to see how you stand today and create your comeback strategy.

 Or begin with a new resume headline:

"Professional ready to relaunch career with renewed focus, resilience, and real-life experience."

You can do this. And I'm cheering you on all the way.