When you have been away from the workplace for a while, a job interview can be a nerve-wracking experience. Interviewing is a skill that can be learned and mastered. Give yourself some time to get in the right mindset. Take a deep breath and remember the three Be's - be prepared, be positive and be unapologetic.

Be Prepared:
Research the job, the company, its products/services and its competitors. Review industry buzzwords - show them you kept up with your career. Practice answering tough interview questions. Roleplay the interview with a friend or family member.
Develop three good questions to ask the interviewer about the job.

Be Positive:
Review your past successes and challenges
Remind yourself that you can learn new skills
Don't get overwhelmed by advances in your field since you left, you will catch up

Be Unapologetic:
When describing your time off, use phrases like "I chose to.." or "I felt it was important..."
Remember that the time you took off was spent doing something very useful Highlight the skills you have acquired during your time off - time management, budgeting and networking, to name a few.

Like any skill, interviewing takes practice. Don't worry if your first "back-to-work" interview doesn't go as planned. Learn what you can from the process and focus on the next one. Before you know it, you'll be a pro.