Raising a child, long-term travel, volunteering, dealing with a personal crisis – these are just a few reasons why people leave the workforce for an extended period of time. But getting back in the swing of things isn’t always easy, and many people experience difficulty when re-entering the workforce after a leave. Here are some specific tips that can help you with this process and make your transition a relatively smooth one.
Assess Your Situation
Have you learned anything new, obtained a certification or developed any new skills that might influence your career path? Answering these questions can provide you with some much needed direction.
You will also want to consider if your interests are the same or if they have they changed since your last job. A thorough assessment should shed light on which avenue you should take to find the most rewarding career possible.
Update Your Resume and Cover Letter
There’s a good chance these will need a little tweaking, so review your resume and cover letter and make the necessary adjustments. If you gained any valuable experience such as volunteer work or travel, be sure to highlight it as this can make you more desirable to employers.
You’ll also want to explain your prolonged absence because gaps in employment can be red flags to recruiters. Be honest and briefly explain the situation on your resume. Never try to hide it.
Research Industry Trends and Updates
The modern workplace is always changing and evolving. If you’ve been out of work for six months or more, you’re probably out of the loop. But according to Marc DeBoar, president of A Better Interview, “In order to re-enter the workforce, job seekers must prove how they have stayed current with their industry and profession.”
Go ahead and spend some time reading industry blogs, publications, webinars and so on to ensure you’re on the cutting edge. Doing so shows recruiters you’re passionate about your industry and should make it easier on you once you inevitably land a job.
Use Your Network for Leverage
Odds are you probably have at least a few contacts that could prove useful for finding available positions. This could be a friend, former colleague or even someone you interact with on a social network. Regardless of the specific relationship, see if they know of any opportunities that would potentially suit you.
Re-entering the workforce after a leave isn’t always easy. But with the right approach, you can get back in the groove with minimal friction. Following these tips should help prepare you for success and streamline the process significantly.
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