People leave the workforce for all types of reasons – they may decide to stay home with children for a time, they may have moved and are having trouble finding a job, they may have switched industries and are struggling or they may simply have wanted a break from working.
Whatever the reason, it’s more important to focus on your skills and abilities rather than stress about your hiatus.
As the following article shows, to find a rewarding career after a long hiatus from the workforce will be challenging; it won’t be impossible.
To start, do some research in your desired industries and see what the requirements are.
You may need to return to school or get a certification, and at the very least, you’ll need to update your resume.
While it’s not necessary to explain gaps of unemployment in your resume, you should include what you have been doing that may be relevant – such as volunteering at your children’s school, helping care for an aging parent, taking a class, freelancing, etc.
Tips on Getting Back Into Workforce After a Break
Among the tips to keep in mind:
- Network – The best thing you can do for yourself when trying to get back into the workforce is to network. You can network with friends, family members, old coworkers, neighbors and even via social media. Social media is an extremely powerful tool when it comes to finding a job. Follow your favorite companies and employers and don’t be afraid to reach out and start a conversation with someone. When it comes to getting a job, especially after a long break, it’s more about who you know than what you know.
- Volunteer – Depending on what type of career you’re looking for, volunteering at that organization can be a great way to get your foot in the door. Once you establish solid relationships with the other employees, it can be relatively easy to get hired on as a full-time staff member. Organizations that seek volunteers include the health care industry, non-profit organizations and government agencies. A large number of these organizations are active on social media, informing the public of what they do and where they need assistance.
- Start you own business – Perhaps instead of working for a company, you can start your own business and work for yourself. While running a business comes with its own set of challenges, the advantage is that you can start now without having to go through the application and interview process. Becoming self-employed may make the transition from being out of work to working again easier, too, since you can set your own hours and take time off when needed. Use social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and more to promote your company.
- Go back to school – When re-entering the workforce, it’s important to reassess your interests and see if you still want to work in the same field as you did before leaving. There is nothing wrong with making a career switch if you know it’s what you want to do. Explore your options before jumping into something you may no longer be satisfied with. If your new career of choice requires you to return to school, that can be a great transition prior to returning to work. Many top-notch schools nationwide are active on social media, promoting myriad of educational opportunities.
Take all of the options above into consideration when looking to return to the workforce.
You can be strategic about your plan and explore your options before making a final decision. Be confident in your abilities and apply what you learned during your time off to the workforce.
By focusing on your talents and skills, you’ll be certain to find a career in no time.
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