In a world where work-life balance can collide with mental health struggles and an ageing population, more people are embracing extended career breaks.

Traditionally thought to be favoured by parents taking time out to raise children, career breaks can now range from anything from a year off to travel, caring for someone who’s sick or a sibling with a disability to a stint of unemployment.

Regardless where you sit, navigating a return to the workplace can be tricky.

Here are some tips and example scripts to help you tackle the potential daunting question of how to explain a career break.

These tips were taken from Shortlisted, FW’s step-by-step guide to getting the job.

Check out the full episode below and follow Shortlisted wherever you get your podcasts.