Everyone has a different career path and climbs their ladders at a different rate. Don’t be embarrassed or discouraged if you’ve taken a break in your career, and you’re ready to start working again. While getting back into the workforce after an extended time off can be intimidating, don’t let it scare you. Be confident and follow our steps to confidently search for a new job.
You may be tempted to take the first job that is remotely related to your desired career because they are willing to hire you, but don’t. Take your time to find the right job that is a good fit for you. Decide if it is a job you really want to do and if the company culture is a good fit. If it’s not, then most likely you will be job hunting again sooner than you’d like. Just remember to be confident in your interview. If you seem unsure of yourself, then the interviewer is going to feel unsure about hiring you.
Before you start your job search, make sure to freshen up your resume and your LinkedIn profile. Don’t hide the gaps but strategize. Include a brief explanation of your extended time off in a cover letter and prepare to discuss the gap in your interview. You don’t need to be detailed in your answer, be short and to the point. Answer the question and move on to your skills and what you’re doing now. Again, stay confident. Don’t be embarrassed.
Now that your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile are updated, it’s time to start your search. That includes networking. While using job boards, like AgHires, is a great place to search for jobs, there are some positions that hiring managers might not advertise for various reasons. Or maybe there is a new opening that hasn’t been officially posted yet that a family member or friend knows about. Networking doesn’t have to be a long daunting process. All you need to do is make sure your friends, family, and other contacts are aware you are looking for a job and what kind of opportunities you are looking for. Then just check in with them occasionally so they don’t forget about you. Check out more networking tips here.
In between job searching and sending out resumes, make sure you’re brushing up your skills and staying up to date on industry trends. Depending on how long you’ve been out of the workforce, you may want to consider taking some classes, doing some volunteering, or doing some small side projects to polish up some of your skills. Listen to podcasts, read newsletters, watch some videos, etc. to make sure you’re up to date on any new trends or terminology.
Even before you’ve landed an interview make sure you start brushing up on your interview skills to help you to become more confident during the interview. Practice your answers with some common interview questions. Have a friend or family member help you with a mock interview. The more you rehearse your answers, the more confident you’ll feel and the smoother your responses will sound.
Don’t be discouraged by your career break. Just follow the tips above to help you prepare and feel more confident about entering the workforce again after your extended time off. It may take some time to find the right job and the right company but be patient and keep brushing up on your skills.
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