What are the most important mistakes when returning after a longer career break?

Returning after a longer break (parental leave, care leave, illness, sabbatical) has specific pitfalls. Most common mistakes: (1) Apologising instead of positioning -- 'Unfortunately I had a break' vs. 'During this phase I developed X'. (2) Hiding outdated skills instead of addressing them -- better to show 2-3 targeted upskilling certificates. (3) Setting salary expectations at pre-break levels instead of market-appropriate rates (BA Entgeltatlas Q027). (4) Applying too broadly instead of strategically -- wasted energy. Legal aspects: Parental leave is protected by BEEG -- discrimination based on parental leave violates the AGG. Care leave is protected by PflegeZG and FPfZG. IAB: Returners after parental leave earn on average 10-15% less -- negotiation is particularly important. Xing: Candidates who proactively frame breaks as 'development phases' are rated more positively.