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How to Make Re-Entering the Workforce Easier
Many women (and an
increasing number of men) decide to put their careers
on hold from time to time.
The most common reason for doing
this is to become a full-time parent after a new baby
joins the family. Other reasons include taking time
off to care for an ailing parent, going back to school
to pursue a degree, starting a home business, or taking
an extended leave due to stress or illness.
Regardless of the reason, people who
have put their careers on hold often make the decision
to re-enter the workforce.
If they have been away from the workforce
for a significant period of time, they may be at a disadvantage
when they try to resume their career. Their values may
have changed due to their nonworking lifestyle; their
skills may not be as sharp due to lack of practice;
technological advances may even have caused their once
sought-after skills to become obsolete.
There's also the issue of lack of self-confidence,
as people desiring to re-enter the workforce consider
those and other roadblocks now in their path.
But all is not lost. Here are six steps
that will make re-entering the workforce easier.
1. Decide what's most important.
People who have been away from a regular job for a while
may find it difficult to get back into the rat race.
It can be dissatisfying to get a job, be there a few
months, and then realize it's no longer something they
want to do. They should consider various options, and
make sure that resuming their career is the right path
before heading in that direction.
2. Be picky. This could be the
perfect time to think about new career options, instead
of just going back to what was done before. People re-entering
the workforce might want to think about other jobs --
perhaps what they always wanted to try before they got
tied down to a specific job. Accepting temporary or
freelance work would be a good way to experiment with
new fields and opportunities.
3. Be realistic. People who have
been out of the job market for a while must realize
that significant changes may have occurred -- in themselves,
in the career field, in the competition. It may be unrealistic
to think a career that has been put on hold can now
be resumed without taking a step back on the career
ladder. People who were once mid-managers may now need
to consider entry-level positions.
4. Brush up on skills. People
who have become "outdated" should do whatever
is necessary to become marketable again (especially
in highly technical fields). They can do this by taking
classes, doing volunteer work, asking for assistance
and coaching.
5. Be positive and enthusiastic.
Yes, there are obstacles, but it's important to focus
on the advantages. People re-entering the workforce
have experience, skills and knowledge that make them
more desirable candidates than those entering the workforce
for the first time. To regain confidence and a positive
attitude, they should focus on those strengths while
updating their resumes and preparing for job interviews.
6. Use connections. Often the
best way to re-enter the workforce is to contact former
bosses and colleagues, and use networking to find out
where the opportunities are.
Re-entering the workforce can be a challenge,
but it's one that can be overcome. Having a plan and
being prepared will help to make the re-entry a successful
and rewarding experience.
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