Back-to-School Career Reset: Why “Complicated” Is the Perfect Word—and How to Take Your First Step Back to Work
The quiet after school drop-off can feel like possibility and pressure at the same time.
If you’ve decided this is your year to go back to paid work, you’re likely feeling excited, guilty, scared, happy and everything in between. Returning after a career pause is rarely one feeling. It’s exciting to rediscover yourself, nerve-wracking to face a changed workplace, bittersweet to trade daily moments for a new routine, and… yes, very complicated.
Here’s the reframe: “complicated” doesn’t mean impossible. It means you will need to navigate all of the feelings you are having but continue to move forward.
The Skills You’ve Built Are Real (and in Demand)
Nearly 9 in 10 employers say they look for problem-solving on resumes (it’s the top attribute), with teamwork and written communication close behind.
(NACE Job Outlook 2025 Report)
And hiring is moving skills-first: almost two-thirds of employers report using skills-based hiring to find potential, not just pedigree.
(NACE Job Outlook 2025: Spring Update)
If you’ve managed calendars, advocated at school, coordinated carpools, run a budget, or captained a PTA project, you have practiced the exact skills employers say they want.
Your First Action: Write Your Current Job Description
Before you open your old resume, or stress about how to talk about this time prioritizing your family- capture the work you’ve been doing.
Try this 15-minute exercise:
Title your role (pick one that fits): Household Manager, Full-Time Caregiver, Family COO, Personal Sabbatical, Community Volunteer.
Time period & location: “Jan 2019–Present, Salt Lake City, UT.”
2-sentence summary (purpose + growth):
“Managed a multi-schedule household, coordinated care/education logistics, and led family operations. Developed strengths in project management, communication, budgeting, and problem-solving.”
3–5 responsibilities (start with action verbs):
Coordinated four overlapping calendars using Google Calendar and school portals.
Managed weekly meal planning, shopping, and budget; reduced food waste by 15%.
Led IEP advocacy: tracked data, prepared agendas, and facilitated meetings.
1–2 achievements (what changed because of you):
Built a new morning routine that cut late arrivals from 3/week to 0.
Organized a 120-family PTA event with sponsors and volunteers (this could also be listed as it’s own professional experience with 3-5 bullet points).
Transferable skills (from NACE-aligned list): problem-solving, communication, teamwork, initiative, organization, time management.
How to Talk About Your Skills
Identify your daily problems solved.
“Resolved childcare schedule conflict by coordinating with two caregivers and school; ensured on-time coverage.”Translate with confidence.
“Shuffled family schedules” - “Coordinated complex calendars under time constraints; maintained on-time execution.”Own it in your narrative.
“Honed problem-solving, strategic time management, and collaborative leadership—ready to bring those strengths to [role/title].”
If “Complicated” Is Your Word, Here’s Your Gentle Plan
Today (15 minutes): Write the job title, time frame, and your 2-sentence summary.
Tomorrow (15 minutes): Add 3 responsibilities (action verbs).
Next day (15 minutes): Add 1–2 achievements + a short skills list.
You’ll feel momentum and clarity—before touching your old resume.
A Final Word for Your First Week Back
You don’t have to do everything at once. Pick one step. Do it well. Then take the next.
A comeback isn’t built in a week—it’s built one clear, doable action at a time and a lot of small movements forward.
Want the plug-and-play template? Send an email with the subject line- “JOB DOC” and I’ll send you the full Write Your Own Job Description worksheet.