Purpose This study aims to explore the career transition process of women professionals when they return to the workplace after a break and re-integrate with their career aspirations. Design/methodology/approach This research used a qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews for data collection. All 20 women participants have returned to their careers after a break. Findings The data analysis reveals women’s career transition and re-integration process into the workplace after a career break. Supervisory support, work–life balance practices, role models, coworker support and career success emerged as factors enabling successful transition. The employing organisations’ diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) hiring strategy emerged as an important mechanism for re-entry. Originality/value Although previous research has studied women professionals returning after a break, the “transition process” that enables re-entry is missing.