How do I get back into the job market after a long absence
How do I go back to work after a long break
How do I find a job after a career break
How do I explain a gap year in an interview
No matter why someone has been out of the workforce for a long period of time, choosing to return to work can present a whole new set of challenges. Not only is it a difficult time in the economy as workers of all skill sets jockey for fewer and fewer job openings, but preparing to return to the workforce isn’t something that job seekers can take lightly. It takes planning.
It’s not a matter of just dusting off the old resume and sending it out to potential employers. Looking for work after a long absence requires some forethought and advance warning before job seekers even begin their job search.
Because looking for a job takes time and energy, here are five areas that job seekers should consider before they jump back into a career after a long absence.
Job seekers who haven’t held down a full-time position in several years just may want to take a look at their wardrobe to make sure it hasn’t gone out of style. This happens a lot with stay-at-home parents who trade their business suits for sweat suits. Sometimes they give away their work clothes thinking they will never need them again or perhaps they put on a few pounds and when it’s time to go back to work, their old wardrobe doesn’t fit properly or looks outdated.
Whatever the particulars are, it is important that before job seekers accept the opportunity to interview, they sort through their current closet of clothing and determine what still works. Clothing that is worn out should be thrown out and new pieces to compliment current items should be added. It doesn’t take a large bank roll to supplement a wardrobe. It's just a matter of shopping wisely to dress for success.
Anyone who has worked in an office environment knows how quickly technology can change. However, brushing up old job skills goes beyond just relearning a software program.
In addition to making sure they know the latest programs, job seekers who are returning to the workforce need to ensure they have other skills such as networking, resume writing, job interviewing, written and verbal communication, project management, organization and planning. Taking computer classes is a great way to learn new and brush up on old software skills.
Equally helpful are classes in how to a write a resume or conduct a job search as well as general business classes. And to stay ahead of what’s happening in the business world, don’t forget to read business news and periodicals.
When job seekers have a large gap in their employment history it is important to handle it in such a way that employers are not left scratching their heads with wonder. One of the best ways to do this is to substitute a functional resume for a chronological resume.
While most candidates will create a resume which lists their work history in chronological order starting with the most recent work experience first, job seekers who haven’t worked in a few years would be better served by organizing their resume to eliminate this glaring fact.
There was a time when gaps in employment were an immediate red flag to signal that someone had issues or was a less than desirable hire. However, with the current economy, more employers understand that there may be times when even the best job candidates have been without work.
That being said, it is still important for job seekers to help potential employers understand they have not been idle during this down time. Be sure to emphasize skills sets over work history and capitalize on how the unemployed time was spent – volunteering at a child’s school, helping a friend with her business, taking classes, and other activities.
Just because it may have been a few years since someone was in the workforce doesn’t mean that he doesn’t have the skills that employers want and need. It’s just a matter of taking a potential negative and turning it into a positive.
It’s like that country song – “old enough to know better and young enough to still care". Job seekers need to be able to demonstrate that they have the experience and are excited to return to work and eager to learn new things. Don’t let assumptions about family commitments, energy levels, lack of skill sets, or other potential concerns get in the way.
Whether job seekers are returning to the workforce, looking for their first job or their fifth job, doing it right is all about preparation. Job seekers need to know what they want and take the proper steps to jump back into their careers.
How do I go back to work after a long break
How do I find a job after a career break
How do I explain a gap year in an interview
No matter why someone has been out of the workforce for a long period of time, choosing to return to work can present a whole new set of challenges. Not only is it a difficult time in the economy as workers of all skill sets jockey for fewer and fewer job openings, but preparing to return to the workforce isn’t something that job seekers can take lightly. It takes planning.
It’s not a matter of just dusting off the old resume and sending it out to potential employers. Looking for work after a long absence requires some forethought and advance warning before job seekers even begin their job search.
Because looking for a job takes time and energy, here are five areas that job seekers should consider before they jump back into a career after a long absence.
Update the Wardrobe
Job seekers who haven’t held down a full-time position in several years just may want to take a look at their wardrobe to make sure it hasn’t gone out of style. This happens a lot with stay-at-home parents who trade their business suits for sweat suits. Sometimes they give away their work clothes thinking they will never need them again or perhaps they put on a few pounds and when it’s time to go back to work, their old wardrobe doesn’t fit properly or looks outdated.
Whatever the particulars are, it is important that before job seekers accept the opportunity to interview, they sort through their current closet of clothing and determine what still works. Clothing that is worn out should be thrown out and new pieces to compliment current items should be added. It doesn’t take a large bank roll to supplement a wardrobe. It's just a matter of shopping wisely to dress for success.
Brush Up Old Skills and Knowledge
Anyone who has worked in an office environment knows how quickly technology can change. However, brushing up old job skills goes beyond just relearning a software program.
In addition to making sure they know the latest programs, job seekers who are returning to the workforce need to ensure they have other skills such as networking, resume writing, job interviewing, written and verbal communication, project management, organization and planning. Taking computer classes is a great way to learn new and brush up on old software skills.
Equally helpful are classes in how to a write a resume or conduct a job search as well as general business classes. And to stay ahead of what’s happening in the business world, don’t forget to read business news and periodicals.
Refresh the Resume
When job seekers have a large gap in their employment history it is important to handle it in such a way that employers are not left scratching their heads with wonder. One of the best ways to do this is to substitute a functional resume for a chronological resume.
While most candidates will create a resume which lists their work history in chronological order starting with the most recent work experience first, job seekers who haven’t worked in a few years would be better served by organizing their resume to eliminate this glaring fact.
Fill in the Gaps
There was a time when gaps in employment were an immediate red flag to signal that someone had issues or was a less than desirable hire. However, with the current economy, more employers understand that there may be times when even the best job candidates have been without work.
That being said, it is still important for job seekers to help potential employers understand they have not been idle during this down time. Be sure to emphasize skills sets over work history and capitalize on how the unemployed time was spent – volunteering at a child’s school, helping a friend with her business, taking classes, and other activities.
Accentuate the Positive
Just because it may have been a few years since someone was in the workforce doesn’t mean that he doesn’t have the skills that employers want and need. It’s just a matter of taking a potential negative and turning it into a positive.
It’s like that country song – “old enough to know better and young enough to still care". Job seekers need to be able to demonstrate that they have the experience and are excited to return to work and eager to learn new things. Don’t let assumptions about family commitments, energy levels, lack of skill sets, or other potential concerns get in the way.
Whether job seekers are returning to the workforce, looking for their first job or their fifth job, doing it right is all about preparation. Job seekers need to know what they want and take the proper steps to jump back into their careers.
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