Joining the workforce after a long gap is intimidating, to say the least. The mere thought of facing the interviewer can turn even the most courageous of us into a nervous wreck. And that’s understandable. People often don’t know where to begin or seek help in such a situation, which is just what this article is all about!
The reason for a gap in a career can be due to various reasons, both voluntary and involuntary. Pregnancy, childbirth, illness, a sabbatical taken to quench the traveler’s thirst in you, or the unfortunate event of getting dismissed from a job only to remain unemployed for a few weeks or months. Here’s how you can break out of this rut and get back into the game!
Be clear about what you want.
What makes you get back into the workforce? Is it just because of the money? Or are you also missing out on the social aspect of being with your friends and colleagues? This is the right time to do a self-evaluation and how you can be useful to the industry you wish to be a part of.
Once you have made up your mind and set a target, it’s time to set the ball rolling and do some groundwork. Plan ahead and do your research. Remember the saying, “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail”. Planning in advance with a clear-cut goal in mind about what you want in life and from your job will ease the transition and help you achieve your target.
Figure out your skills and learn/brush up on them.
Don’t just grab whatever comes your way; find a job that you have a passion for, that fits your needs and interests. Keeping your skills up-to-date is crucial in getting that job you’re eyeing. It’s been a while since you last worked, and the industry has probably undergone a sea change during that period. Go back to school, attend workshops, do a refresher course, and read, read, and read a lot about the profession you wish to be a part of.
Remember, getting the best of both worlds is an option.
Maybe you want to try your hand at something new, something you always wanted to do but never actually got around to. As a new parent, you may want to work but aren’t ready just yet to part with your little one. In such cases, starting a home-based business or working as an independent contractor works really well. In fact, you can get the best of both worlds with a successful work-from-home career. Here are a few ideas to steer you in the right direction:
- Career options like medical transcription can work in your favor because they allow you to operate from home. Colleges like CareerStep offer online courses in medical transcription, so you needn’t step out at all.
- If you’re good with words, you can manage your own blog or write articles and get paid for publishing them on Problogger.
You might even want to consider part-time jobs such as:
- Dental hygienist – this is a well-paying job that allows you to work part-time. Take a look at online/distance learning programs.
- Other well-paid part-time career options include fitness instructor, massage therapist, or a school bus driver.
Rebuild your resume.
When was the last you updated your resume? You don’t remember, because you didn’t need to! But now you need to rebuild your resume without highlighting the obvious gaps in between. Don’t go in for the traditional resume, with a chronological sequence of events. Try the functional format. Ritika Trikha explains in her blog post on US News why it’s a great tool for job seekers with a hiatus between jobs, as it stresses achievements and downplays gaps.
Build a strong social network.
The process of shortlisting a few jobs, applying to them, and appearing for interviews has seen a tremendous change in the last handful of years. Thanks to the boom in social networking sites, job seekers can now stay connected to their peers and important people in the industry even when they aren’t a part of it. I’d recommend updating your profiles on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and reconnecting with former colleagues and friends if you’re hunting for a job. Make full use of social networking to portray yourself as employable. Strike up conversations, and you never know when an interview or a job offer might pop up, even from the most unexpected sources!
And last but not least,
Don’t lose heart!
Starting a job search after a considerable time gap is no laughing matter; but don’t let that get in your way. Things might not go as planned – you might not get a job immediately, but that’s not the end of the world! Prepare yourself to answer the inevitable question: “What put you out of the workforce for so long”?
Don’t take rejection to heart. Start off slow. Rushing into things will only overwhelm you without any fruitful outcome. Don’t burn yourself out — stick to your guns! Consider volunteering in your community, and put it on your resume. It not only improves your team-building, organizational, and communication skills, but it also shows potential employers you’re ready to get back to work!
Remember there’s only one person who can really get you back on track, and that’s YOU! Overcoming an employment gap is certainly not easy, but take it in your stride by preparing for interviews, refining your skills, and remaining focused on your goals. Invest in yourself; and joining the workforce after an extended period of unemployment might not seem so scary after all!
Frida Cooper has been working as a career guidance counselor for the last 12 years. She’s stayed on top of growing industry trends through market research and interaction with young students and working professionals alike. Her hobbies include swimming, meditation and music. She believes that everyone can enjoy a lucrative career by paying close attention to their passions and aptitudes.
