Hi, I worked in IT industry for 12+ years. Then I had to quit my job because of family commitments. Its been 10+ years now. In those years, though I haven't been in a regular job, I have done a few freelancing jobs now and then. Also, run a couple of niche but non technical websites. I have also stayed in touch with latest technologies through certfications and self learning. Now, since my kids are grown up, I am thinking of resuming my career. But the huge career gap seems to hinder opportunities. Though I try to motivate myself to persevere, it is a bit frustrating as some of the jobs that suit my tech skills go past me because of the gap. What is the best strategy to restart my career? Kindly please advice. Thanks in advance.

Ans: It's understandable that the gap in your formal employment might be frustrating, but it doesn't diminish your 12+ years of experience and your ongoing efforts to stay updated. Here's a strategic approach to relaunching your IT career: Revamp your resume to showcase your core IT skills and accomplishments, not focusing heavily on the exact dates of your employment. Quantify your achievements with metrics whenever possible (e.g., increased website traffic by X% through SEO improvements). Frame your freelance projects as valuable consulting experiences where you independently tackled real-world problems. Your websites demonstrate your initiative and technical abilities in managing projects. Don't aim for the exact same senior-level positions you held before the break. Consider mid-level roles that allow you to re-enter the workforce and demonstrate your updated skills. You can gradually progress within a company. Reconnect with former colleagues or classmates on LinkedIn. Inform them you're re-entering the workforce and seek informational interviews to learn about current industry trends and potential opportunities. Update your LinkedIn profile and consider creating a professional website or portfolio showcasing your IT skills and freelance projects. Volunteer for a non-profit organization or take on short-term contract work to gain recent technical experience and build your resume. Remember, re-entering the workforce after a break takes time and perseverance. Focus on your strengths, strategically tailor your job search, and don't be discouraged by initial setbacks. By effectively showcasing your skills and experiences, you'll land the right IT opportunity to relaunch your successful career.