5 answers
Sudharshni
Student
Roanoke, Virginia
1
Question
Asked
452 views
How does re-entering the HR job market after a career break work?
I have 4 years of experience in Talent Acquisition/Recruitment, but I’ve been on a 2-year break after moving to the U.S. from India post-marriage. I’m SHRM-CP certified and had my Master’s degree evaluated by WES for U.S. equivalency.
Is it harder to find opportunities after a break? Would pursuing a U.S.-based Master’s help, or is experience and certification enough to get started again?
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5 answers
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
971
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Sudharshni,
Great question! To start, congratulations on taking the initiative to resume your career. Getting your SHRM-CP certification and having WES analyze your degree are smart moves that will help you reenter the HR workforce after a hiatus. This demonstrates initiative and conformity to U.S. norms, both of which are highly valued by employers.
Your four years of experience in Talent Acquisition, along with your certification, can undoubtedly open doors — especially if you present your break as a transition period during which you still stayed engaged with the industry (e.g., through networking, certification, or any upskilling). It's true that career breaks can occasionally raise questions for recruiters, but they're becoming much more common and accepted, especially when the time away is explained with clarity and confidence.
A Master's degree from a U.S. institution is may not be required to reenter the field. Your practical experience and SHRM certification may be acceptable to reenter the workforce, especially for mid-level positions, even though an advanced degree from a U.S. college can add value and potentially open doors to higher-level employment later. Particularly in HR, where people skills, communication, and cultural awareness are crucial, employers are usually more interested in your abilities, recent education, and willingness to contribute than in where you received your degree.
To make it easier for your return:
- Make sure your resume is up to date with your most recent credentials and transferable abilities.
- Make connections with recruiters, HR specialists, and alumni associations by using LinkedIn.
- Consider contract or temporary positions as a means of quickly acquiring expertise in the United States; these may result in full-time chances.
- You may also research returnship programs or businesses that have return-to-work programs; some of these programs are especially designed to help women return to the workforce after a gap.
You're more ready than you may think; the important things right now are self-assurance, and maintaining consistency throughout your job hunt. You've already put in the effort to keep current; now you need to demonstrate to potential employers that you're prepared to contribute that experience to their team.
Best wishes!
Great question! To start, congratulations on taking the initiative to resume your career. Getting your SHRM-CP certification and having WES analyze your degree are smart moves that will help you reenter the HR workforce after a hiatus. This demonstrates initiative and conformity to U.S. norms, both of which are highly valued by employers.
Your four years of experience in Talent Acquisition, along with your certification, can undoubtedly open doors — especially if you present your break as a transition period during which you still stayed engaged with the industry (e.g., through networking, certification, or any upskilling). It's true that career breaks can occasionally raise questions for recruiters, but they're becoming much more common and accepted, especially when the time away is explained with clarity and confidence.
A Master's degree from a U.S. institution is may not be required to reenter the field. Your practical experience and SHRM certification may be acceptable to reenter the workforce, especially for mid-level positions, even though an advanced degree from a U.S. college can add value and potentially open doors to higher-level employment later. Particularly in HR, where people skills, communication, and cultural awareness are crucial, employers are usually more interested in your abilities, recent education, and willingness to contribute than in where you received your degree.
To make it easier for your return:
- Make sure your resume is up to date with your most recent credentials and transferable abilities.
- Make connections with recruiters, HR specialists, and alumni associations by using LinkedIn.
- Consider contract or temporary positions as a means of quickly acquiring expertise in the United States; these may result in full-time chances.
- You may also research returnship programs or businesses that have return-to-work programs; some of these programs are especially designed to help women return to the workforce after a gap.
You're more ready than you may think; the important things right now are self-assurance, and maintaining consistency throughout your job hunt. You've already put in the effort to keep current; now you need to demonstrate to potential employers that you're prepared to contribute that experience to their team.
Best wishes!
Thank you so much, Chinyere!
Your words are incredibly encouraging and have truly motivated me to keep going. I really appreciate the time you took to answer my question—it means a lot to me. Your support is very helpful. Thank you again!
Sudharshni
You're welcome!
Chinyere Okafor
Hari DR
HR
1
Answer
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Hari’s Answer
Taking a career break, especially for personal milestones like moving to a new country post-marriage, is absolutely valid and increasingly common. While it might initially feel like a challenge to re-enter the workforce, your 4 years of solid Talent Acquisition experience, combined with a globally recognized certification like SHRM-CP and a WES-evaluated Master's degree, already put you in a strong position.
Employers today are becoming more open to professionals returning after a break, especially when they bring relevant skills and demonstrate a willingness to stay updated. Your SHRM-CP certification shows that you’re aligned with U.S. HR standards, which is a big plus.
As for pursuing a U.S.-based Master's, it’s not strictly necessary—unless you’re looking to switch career tracks or deeply specialize. Right now, your focus could be on:
Networking within local HR groups (SHRM chapters, LinkedIn communities)
Volunteering or freelancing in recruitment/HR roles
Applying to returnship programs or re-entry initiatives
Your experience, certification, and proactive mindset are enough to get started again. The key is to confidently position your break as a life choice, while showing you're ready to contribute with updated knowledge and fresh perspective.
Employers today are becoming more open to professionals returning after a break, especially when they bring relevant skills and demonstrate a willingness to stay updated. Your SHRM-CP certification shows that you’re aligned with U.S. HR standards, which is a big plus.
As for pursuing a U.S.-based Master's, it’s not strictly necessary—unless you’re looking to switch career tracks or deeply specialize. Right now, your focus could be on:
Networking within local HR groups (SHRM chapters, LinkedIn communities)
Volunteering or freelancing in recruitment/HR roles
Applying to returnship programs or re-entry initiatives
Your experience, certification, and proactive mindset are enough to get started again. The key is to confidently position your break as a life choice, while showing you're ready to contribute with updated knowledge and fresh perspective.
I appreciate you taking the time to answer this. Thank you so much for your valuable inputs.
Sudharshni
Trisha Borme
Talent Acquisition - Hiring
34
Answers
North Kingstown, Rhode Island
Updated
Trisha’s Answer
I did this myself. I took a break from Talent Acquisition for 4 years for family reasons. It was a wonderful break. I will say going back into the work meant a fresh start. I needed to find a spot for entry and to have a strong leader to support me along my continued journey. I have been back many years and just love what I do. Good luck and reamain positive. Your position is there.
Thank you Trisha. It was really insightful to hear your perspective—I truly appreciate you taking the time to share it. I'm currently actively exploring new opportunities, so if you happen to come across any openings or hear of anything that might be a good fit, I’d be grateful if you could keep me in mind. Your support and input means a lot!
Sudharshni
Jane Wang123
Pre-Sales Project Manager
8
Answers
Dalian, Liaoning, China
Updated
Jane’s Answer
First off, you're in a great spot. You already have solid experience, SHRM-CP certification, and U.S.-equivalent education—those are big wins.
Now about the break:
Yes, re-entering after a break can feel tough, but it's totally doable—especially in HR, where transferable skills matter a lot.
Here’s what can help:
Update your resume to reflect any learning, volunteering, or certifications done during the break.
Network actively—LinkedIn, local HR groups, or SHRM chapters are goldmines.
Start applying to roles that match your past experience. Entry- or mid-level HR roles are great re-entry points.
Do you need a U.S. Master’s?
Not necessarily. You’ve already got the key ingredients: experience, certification, and U.S.-recognized education. If you want to study more, great—but you don’t need it just to restart.
Now about the break:
Yes, re-entering after a break can feel tough, but it's totally doable—especially in HR, where transferable skills matter a lot.
Here’s what can help:
Update your resume to reflect any learning, volunteering, or certifications done during the break.
Network actively—LinkedIn, local HR groups, or SHRM chapters are goldmines.
Start applying to roles that match your past experience. Entry- or mid-level HR roles are great re-entry points.
Do you need a U.S. Master’s?
Not necessarily. You’ve already got the key ingredients: experience, certification, and U.S.-recognized education. If you want to study more, great—but you don’t need it just to restart.
Thank you, this is really helpful.
Sudharshni
Dino Ubalde
Educator/Psychologist/Life Coach
225
Answers
Tracy, California
Updated
Dino’s Answer
Hello Sudharshni,
Thank you for reaching out to us. It's normal to feel uncertain in a new place, but remember, you're doing an amazing job working towards your career goals. Keep your eyes on the big picture and stay positive. Right now, it's important to start somewhere, even if the job isn't exactly what you did before. Taking any available opportunity can help you settle in and gain experience. Once everything is sorted out, you'll be ready to dive back into what you truly love. When the time is right, you'll be ready to grab your dream job! Wishing you all the best on your journey ahead.
Thank you for reaching out to us. It's normal to feel uncertain in a new place, but remember, you're doing an amazing job working towards your career goals. Keep your eyes on the big picture and stay positive. Right now, it's important to start somewhere, even if the job isn't exactly what you did before. Taking any available opportunity can help you settle in and gain experience. Once everything is sorted out, you'll be ready to dive back into what you truly love. When the time is right, you'll be ready to grab your dream job! Wishing you all the best on your journey ahead.
It’s really encouraging to hear your perspective—it gives me a lot of clarity and motivation. Thank you so much for your advice.
Sudharshni
You are very much welcome! Life is good, chase your dreams!
Dino Ubalde