Do you miss your days in the office? Getting back to the workforce after a long break can seem like a pretty daunting task. It might feel overwhelming, like you have missed so much and there is no way that you are going to be able to keep up with all the latest trends and innovations. But the truth is just the opposite. You had a career before the break, and you will have one long after. Regardless of was it a maternity leave, personal time, health issues or something else, be motivated and be ready, and we will help you take care of the rest.
Work on yourself first – that is the most important part
If you are getting back to work after taking some time off, chances are that you are not really aware of your qualities and capabilities. While your attention was elsewhere the industry changed, your colleagues got promoted and it might seem like you don’t really know how are you going to fit back in.
The first thing you should do is bring your confidence back up. Do some work on yourself mentally and do your homework in terms of everything that you have missed. Consult with your coworkers what happened while you were gone and make sure you are up to date. Focus on important events, not everyday challenges and look at the big picture.
Update your CV and LinkedIn profile
Now that your head is in the right place, it’s time to get out there! The first step is updating your resume and making sure that you have highlighted all of your strengths. Yes, you did take a break but if you explain the reason and don’t linger on it too much, no one will either. Mention all of the successes you have achieved throughout the years and the experience you have gathered.
Do the same with your LinkedIn profile. Try to reach more people and make sure you have informed people in your environment that you are ready to get back to work. They can help you spread the word and reach out to more potential employers. Now you need to create some interesting content, so they will be drawn to your profile and keen to get to know you better!
Hire a coach to help you overcome the obstacles on the way
Even with a very healthy and positive attitude, trying to get hired after a break can be a very stressful process. Sometimes, the stress and the pressure aren’t external. In many cases it’s you making thing worse for yourself. Perhaps you are having doubts, or you aren’t sure where to go, you are second guessing yourself and are hesitant on making firm steps.
This is where having a coach comes very handy. Someone on the outside, giving you help and guidance and enabling you to reach a conclusion yourself – a coach can have a significant impact on the process. It is always beneficial to reach out to someone and allow them to provide you with clarity and support. A coach won’t do the job for you but they will make sure that you are able to do it yourself.
Think outside of the box and don’t compromise!
If you have spent your entire life in a certain industry you might be keen on getting back to it. And there is nothing wrong with that. We just want to make sure you know that there are many, many different options out there. Just because you were working in marketing your entire life that doesn’t mean that you can’t dip your toe in sales, finance or HR. Staying in the same industry after a career break seems like a logical step, but today’s job market allows for flexibility, innovation and out-of-the-box thinking.
Don’t let your past experiences box you in, break the mold and see what happens. You are already brave enough to get back to the workforce after being absent, so why not take it even further? It is way better to be patient, search for the best opportunity and allow yourself the possibility of a choice than to take the first thing that comes our way even if we won’t really be happy with it.
Once you know what kind of work do you want to do, don’t compromise. Do you need flexible hours in order to take care of your kids? Ask for it. Are you looking for health benefits and insurance? Don’t settle for less. Know your worth and find an employer that agrees with you.