Friday, April 5, 2013

How to Stage an Occupational Comeback



Raising a family, recovering from an injury or illness, taking time to travel abroad -- there are many reasons to take a month-long or even a year-long absence from the workforce. Just as many are the reasons for wanting to get back in. You could be a stay-at-home parent eager for a change of pace or in want of a new direction in life. Perhaps you need the money or you're just bored.   

Regardless of the reasons behind it, the prospect of going back to work can be intimidating or downright scary. At the speed with which the world moves these days, you might think yourself unable to keep up with the latest technological skills needed in today’s workforce. If you've been traveling a lot you might be worried about having to integrate back into a sedentary work life. Or maybe you're anxious about having to explain those long gaps in your resume to potential employers.

Before you even start, the most important thing to keep in mind is that returning to work is hardly impossible. There is no shortage of people who've resumed careers or started entirely new ones after lengthy periods away from the workplace. As with most things in life, a little self-confidence is the greatest asset you can have when undergoing the process of getting back to work. The following these tips should help out, too.

Assess your skills

Without recent work experience to back you up, it's your skills that are really going to end up selling you. If you're wondering how you're going to parlay two years of backpacking around the world into an office-applicable context, remember that skills are built on experience, and you earn experience whether you're on the clock or not.

Employers look for two different types of skills: 'hard' skills are job specific and entail more technical abilities, such as programming or mechanical knowledge, while 'soft' skills are personal attributes that relate to your ability to interact in social and professional scenarios, like leadership and effective communication.

While you've been away from work you've most likely developed skills that any employer would find attractive. Raising kids shows that you're adept in the ways of organization, negotiation, and time management. And that you possess no small amount of patience as well. Learning a different language makes traveling overseas easier, but it also looks irresistible on a resume. Remember: there is no difference between life skills and work skills. Ask your family and friends what they think you've got to offer.

Explaining the gaps in your resume

If you're worried about how gaps in your work history look on you CV, consider a functional resume instead of the more traditional reverse chronological format. A functional resume focuses on your skills and calls attention to your accomplishments rather than a continuous work history. If you don't have your heart set on resuming a previous career, functional resumes are ideal as they can be made applicable to multiple job fields. Many job search websites have functional resume templates available for free. (Microsoft Word even has one in their template selection.)

As these gaps will inevitably be brought up during the interview process, be ready to summarize your time off. Be calm and concise. Provide the highlights of your experiences while listing the skills you picked up as a result. Don't accentuate the negative; focus instead on why you're ready to get back to work.     

Networking and support systems

The value of networking can never be overstated. If you know someone in a sector you're interested in, let them know. They can offer indispensable advice, and if you show what you're capable of they might just put in a good word somewhere it counts. Take advantage of the internet and find online communities of other people in your situation. And learn from what they’re doing.

Don't forget that reentering the workforce will not just affect you, but your family as well, especially if you're returning from being an at-home parent. It's important to share your job search with those you're close to. It secures support and prepares everyone, particularly the kids, for drastic and sudden changes should an opportunity present itself.

Be proactive
 
You might recall from your first time around that finding work is not a quick task -- you could be waiting another year before you land that ideal gig. Spend that time wisely. Start with what kind of career you want, and go from there. A basic IT class can open up a host of new job opportunities – skills like programming, data analysis, and digital marketing are in high-demand because of the role computers now play in our daily lives. Make sure that, if your field involves the use of computers, you’re up-to-speed with core functionalities (like social media and job-specific applications). 

Volunteering, as well, can ease you into old work habits without the pressure of paid employment, but can introduce you to new contacts and improve any resume. Attend your university’s alumni events, or join a business-oriented social group. Sites like Meetup.com are perfect for networking in a fun, friendly fashion. 

It's too easy to lose confidence when you stumble into those first few blocks. As long as you stay positive, you'll have no trouble bearing in mind that every contact made, every resume sent, and every job posting investigated is a step in the right direction. 

Angie Picardo is a staff writer for NerdWallet. Her mission is to help consumers stay financially savvy, and save some money with Crate and Barrel coupons.

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