There are many reasons people may have had a chosen gap in their resume. Whether it was to raise a family, care for a loved one, or other personal matters that temporarily caused them to leave the workforce, it’s not uncommon and not something to be ashamed about. Trying to return to the workforce after months to years of a break, however, may be a little challenging. In today’s blog, we’ll provide tips to make the transition as easy and quick as possible.
Refresh Your Resume and LinkedIn
A strong resume and LinkedIn profile is step one in re-entering the workforce. In an article on Forbes, they write, “Start with a resume that showcases both your previous professional achievements and any additional skills or experiences gained during your break. Highlight roles and activities that demonstrate transferable skills, such as leadership, project management or technological proficiencies.”
Let Your Network and Contacts Know
Finding a job through a connection and/or referral is a great way to re-enter the workforce. They will be able to speak to your knowledge, abilities, and skill set so you can get your foot in the door. You may have to work up the corporate ladder a bit but think about finding a job at a company that has a lot of room for growth. If you personally don’t have anyone in your network who knows of jobs that would be a good fit, or you’d like to widen your reach and possibilities, working with a recruiter is another great avenue for landing your next job. They will know the ins and outs of what companies are hiring in your area, and what their company culture is like, so you can feel informed and confident in your decision.
Think About if You Want Part-time or Full-time Work
It’s important to be honest with yourself and what you can manage in your life right now with the level of work and hours you can put in. If it’s not realistic to jump into a full-time job right now, then you need to consider part-time or contract work. In an article on Indeed, they write, “Transitioning from not working a standard schedule to returning to traditional work can be a challenging experience for many people. Although you may look forward to returning to work, consider how such a change in your routine may make you feel. If you think it may be a lot to process, consider looking for part-time positions or accepting contract work to ease back into a full-time work schedule. You may be most interested in temporary-to-hire contract positions that allow you to work as a nontraditional employee and then accept a job offer at the end of your contract period if you feel the company is a good fit for you.”
Prepare for Your Interview
There are some basics when preparing for an interview that are always helpful. This includes reviewing the job description, thoroughly researching the company and interviewer ahead of time, practicing answers to the most common interview questions, having a list of questions you’d like to ask during the interview, and practicing a mock interview ahead of time. In an article on NPR, they provide some additional tips for how to stand out in interviews recommending: “1. Reference examples that emphasize your ability to collaborate with and learn from others. 2. Ask questions about your interviewers’ experiences working with the role you’re applying for. Ask them what a successful candidate for the role looks like. Ask them what sort of qualities or skills they want the optimal candidate to have for the position. Another piece of advice I’d give anyone in an interview: Connect with your interviewers. Interviewers like engaging candidates because they naturally feel like if you can engage them, you can engage the team, the work, and your stakeholders. Bring your personality to the interview with you. Ask good questions. Show genuine interest. Be a real person–be yourself!”