Supercharge job search after absence
CareerBuilder.com
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For many, it can seem difficult getting back into the job market after you've been out of the game for an extended period.
For stay-at-home mothers and fathers, early retirees or individuals who have taken time off for reasons ranging from traveling the world, to caring for an ailing parent, returning to the workforce may be daunting.
With a little planning and a lot of persistence, however, going back to work is a task that is entirely manageable.
Here are some tips on how to reintroduce yourself into the workforce:
1. Create 'skills inventory:' Before you begin your search, make a list of your marketable expertise and achievements. Include accomplishments from your professional experience, as well as skills and knowledge you have acquired or others you have strengthened in your time away from the office.
Perhaps you have taken time off to raise your children and took your time-management skills to a new level, or kept your customer focus sharp through volunteer work. Maybe you spent time traveling and learned a new language or improved your negotiation skills.
If you think long and hard, you will probably come up with ways that you can apply your talents learned outside the traditional work structure to a new position.
2. Think ahead and revitalize industry knowledge: If you have been out of your industry for several years, it's a good idea to get reacquainted with it prior to starting your job search. You can do this by joining a professional organization, subscribing to a trade journal, or doing research on the Internet to brush up on your skills.
Employers are sometimes hesitant about hiring those who have been away from the industry because in a fast-paced market, things change constantly. But, if you are proactive and can demonstrate to an employer that you have taken it upon yourself to stay involved, it will show that you have initiative and a desire to be a part of the sector again.
3. Network, network, network: Any job search is something that is easier if you don't have to go it alone.
Pound the pavement and start getting your name out there again. Contact your former employers and let them know you are jumping back in, call other old contacts, and talk to anyone and everyone about your goals.
Many communities also have local networking groups that can help. Check with your local chamber of commerce to see if they can point you in the right direction. You can also utilize online resources, such as www.jobsandmoms.com.
Remember, the more people you talk to, the better.
4. Be willing to make concessions: Unfortunately, some employers feel that an individual returning to the workforce must prove him or herself again, despite past accomplishments. If this is the case for you, consider taking a job at a lower level than what you left in order to gain current experience.
While it can be frustrating to take a step down, just think of it as one step on a new career path. Once you get in the door and have the chance to shine, you will have new opportunities to move back up the corporate ladder.
5. Consider temporary work or classes to brush up on skills: For those who have been out of the workplace for a long time, basic skills may need to be enhanced, such as computer or typing skills.
Consider taking a refresher course or taking on a temporary assignment to improve your skills and gain real-world experience.
Another option might be http://www.sologig.com/soloist/?srccd=ptnrjsp>freelance work to remain competitive. You can tackle freelance projects from home, keep your skills sharp, and have applicable experience to tout to potential employers when you are ready to jump back into the job pool.
6. Don't apologize for your time away: Some individuals make the mistake of re-entering the workforce with the attitude that their time away was time off. In reality, your time away from the office has probably been just as busy and demanding as a professional full-time job. Approach your new job search with confidence. Being away from a professional environment certainly does not mean you have nothing to offer. In fact, it often means you have more to offer. Be proud of the decisions you have made and you will exude an air of confidence that most employers find desirable.
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