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This article is part of Making Moves Week, where were exploring the ways you can change your career effective immediately. Dont change who you are, change where you are.
A little over two years ago, after spending ten years as an at-home parent to my two daughters, I started thinking about how to get back to workpaid work, as opposed to the unpaid labor Id been doing for more than a decade.
At the ages of 12 and nine my kids were at a point where they didnt need as much constant care, and my wife and I were looking for ways to add savings for their college funds and set aside some extra money for emergencies.
At first, most of my thinking led me to the conclusion that I couldnt get back to work in a realistic way. My parenting duties were still just enough to make the idea of going back to workeven part timefeel daunting, and Id been out of work for so long I was sure Id have to spend years going back to school to find a job worth doing.
I remember thinking if only there were a way to make money from home without burning two-to-four years I didnt have earning a new degree, that would be the perfect scenariobut it all sounded like something out of a get-rich-quick scheme.
There were definitely challenges and an adjustment period while going back to work, but if I could do it you certainly can!
Create A Cover Letter
Your cover letter is the perfect place to explain your career break. In this short letter you should detail why you took a career break and why you want to return to work. You can also use your cover letter to communicate your passion and enthusiasm for the sector or tell an employer that you are looking to take on a new challenge.
We recommend that you personalise every cover letter you send to the job you are applying for. This will show an employer that you have taken the time to read the job description/person specification and shows how keen you are to undertake the role. This doesnt mean that you have to write a brand-new cover letter for every job you apply for. Instead, you could write a template which can be personalised for each job you are applying for.
Going Back To Work After Long Career Break 2
desordma · 07/03/2014 16:53
Hello, I am planning to go back to work after long career break. First I can only go back part time as child has a medical condition and so cannot commit to a full time position …Booo.. Anyway … The dreaded CV. I have been in investment banking and a manager for over 10y and now I am going back to work to be a receptionist/administrator. I can see that the transferable skills are there but it is annoying to have to re-write all of my CV. I do not want to go back in banking anymore, I am too old, not so career driven anymore as priorities have changed … ideally I would like to work in admin position in a school. But guess what they told at one interview? you were not selected for the position as you did not give examples more related to a school environment!!!! what??? I never worked for a school how can I make it more orientated…. not happy.
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Make Time For Learning
You have to make time and take courses, find a mentor, and learn. There is no easy way to do this. Take notes, be ready to watch videos twice, and go to various sources for a given topic. For example: If you are learning Java, then utilize Udemy, YouTube, Blogs, and available sources on the internet. With this, you should be able to:
- Write a program and make it work
- Optimize the program
- Explain the logic and improve upon it
This approach works for any other track, such as QA Automation.
How To Get Back To Work After A Long Career Break
Whether you had to leave your job to care for a family member, you were on parental leave, or you were on sabbatical returning to work after a long career break can be daunting. Here are a few tips to help you get back into the world of work.
See how your industry has changed
Every industry changes over time, some more so than others. It is important that you do some reading on how your sector has changed during your career break. You can do this, for example, by checking industry-specific websites and social media channels. Do not be afraid to join industry-specific networks and forums and ask your peers for advice.
Freshen your skills
It may be that during your career break a new set of skills has become more in demand. Or perhaps you need to freshen your professional skills because you have not used them in a while. Whatever the reason, take the time to practice or refresh your professional skills. For example, you can take a refresher course online or at your local community.
Update your CV
Now that you want to get back on the job market, you need to update your CV and LinkedIn profile . Make sure to include any relevant skills and professional experience and take out anything that is not pertinent to the type of jobs you will be applying for. Do not be afraid to show the gap in your employment history. You can add a explanation for it in your CV.
Contact a EURES Adviser
Reach out to your network
Reflect on your career break
Prepare to step out of your comfort zone
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Tip : Prepare For Your Interviews
A lot can change in an industry in just a few months, let alone years. You dont want to come across as behind the times during your interviews, so do your homework to make sure youre up to speed on your industry. Look for sample interview questions like this list of 50 questions for SEO analysts and managers. Doing so might give you insight into areas of your field that have changed so youll know where to brush up on your knowledge ahead of time. This will also help you to be more confident going to an interview if youve done your homework, and that confidence will come across to the interviewer as well.
We will now look at the next tip for women returning to work after a career gap.
Heres What I Wish Id Known When I Started:
As you get back to work, dont be afraid to express interest in projects youre not already attached to, or to let your managers or coworkers know about skills or interests you have that arent typically part of your job title. Try saying something like I hear that were developing a podcast. I have some audio editing skills and Id love to be a part of the project. Or, Id love to learn more about how we track our audience. May I sit in on the next numbers meeting and observe?
Nobody will think youre being pushy . Remember that your colleagues and managers want you to succeedand if they dont, youre working for the wrong company.
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Reflect On Your Career Break Or Sabbatical
Consider what you did during your career break. If you learned noteworthy skills, had a side job, volunteered or took classes, you can use these details to your advantage during future job interviews. Employers want to hire proactive individuals. Showing that you continued to develop your skills during your career break or sabbatical highlights your motivation and commitment to your career.
Related:FAQs: Taking Time Off Between Jobs
Tip : Convey Confidence
Dont be apologetic. Dont be embarrassed. And dont discount the value of your career gap. If you were taking care of young children or aging parents, that is admirable. If you were laid off and went back to school, good for you. And besides, youre back looking for work now, right? In our society, it can be easy for a woman to think not working means not contributing, but get that thought out of your mind and replace it with self-confidence instead. Self-confidence is so important that one interview coach says it is the most important thing you can bring to a job interview!
Just because you didnt work straight through doesnt mean youre not as fit, qualified and capable as the next job candidate. And, if a potential employer judges you harshly for your career gap, you probably dont want to work for that company anyway.
We will now look at the next tip for women returning to work after a career gap.
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Tip : Reach Out To And Rebuild Your Network
If you were too busy to stay in touch during your career gap, theres a good chance you havent kept up with your professional networkeither your in-person one or your online one. Now is the right time to reconnect with those people. Set up some coffee dates and start following what people are doing on LinkedIn. Perhaps join a new LinkedIn group or get re-engaged with an existing one. Start attending association meetings again.
We will now look at the next tip for women returning to work after a career gap.
What Is An Absence From Work
An absence from work is any period when you are not working. There are many reasons an employee may take an absence from work, including a personal injury or illness, the need to care for a family member or the desire to explore volunteering for a year. Even during an absence, individuals can gain new skills and build current ones, stay connected with their network and take on projects that will enhance their employability later on.
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Dont Forget Your Network
Your network can be a rich source of information when investigating your work options, and a helpful introduction to the field you want to go into. And LinkedIn and other social networks make it easier than ever to locate people who would be useful to speak to and connect with them.
So if you havent done so already, get your LinkedIn profile up . Then connect with ex-colleagues, friends and any other potentially useful acquaintances.
If someone may be useful, send them a message and ask them if they can help you. Often people who enjoy what they do are very happy to talk things through or provide tips and sources.
And if they know someone who needs your skills, they may also be happy to refer you. A recommended potential employee is much more attractive to an employer than someone they dont know, so you are more likely to be ahead of the crowd when introduced.
How To Get A Job After A Career Break
Here are a few steps to follow that can help one land a career break job and start careers after break successfully by drawing an efficient game plan.
Examine the situation
One must examine their current situation thoroughly before applying for random jobs in the havoc. One must check their existing skills and be sure about the career path they want to follow during this new start.
Research
To increase their chances of getting career break jobs, one will need a proper plan for which once they have decided the career path they are looking forward to pursuing in the future, they must conduct a deep study about that field, the positions available, along with the company and skills they need o target to maximize their chances.
Perfect resume
A resume is a tool that puts up the very first impression on the employer way before calling candidates for an interview. Where they say the first impression is the last, a big adult gap year might not look appealing and might negatively impact the chances of selection. Therefore one needs to be very smart with their resumes, the overall format must be perfect, and the required training programmes or volunteering work must be added to the CV.
The cover letter
A cover letter provides one with an excellent opportunity to get their resume selected and make it through the first round. One must not leave any chances and take full advantage of this opportunity by briefly explaining their career gap in the cover letter.
Confidence is the key
FAQs
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Determine Your Needs And Wants
Spend time considering what you want from your future career. Determine what type of job you find both fulfilling and gratifying. You can also consider whether you want a role similar to the one you had before you took a career break or whether you want to try something different. It’s also important to consider why you want to rejoin the workforce.
While considering your wants out of your future job, make sure to consider your needs as well. For example, you may have a salary range you’re looking for or a particular type of schedule you want to adhere to each week. Make a list of both your needs and wants when it comes to a future job to help you decide on your future employment.
Prepare For Your Interview
One way to secure a return to work is to give a great interview. To do this, it’s important to prepare for your interview by practicing answering questions about your absence. When developing your answer, remember to share what you did during your career break and consider explaining why you made that choice. Project confidence in your answers so the hiring manager can also feel confident about you as a viable candidate for the role.
Related:How To Explain Employment Gaps in an Interview
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Consider Pursuing Additional Education Or Training
If its been a while since youve been in the workforce, you may want to consider pursuing additional education or training. This can help make you more competitive in the job market and ensure that you have the necessary skills for the jobs youre interested in.
Paramedics are vital members of the healthcare team, providing critical care and transportation to those who need it most. If youre interested in becoming a paramedic, there are a few things youll need to do. First, youll need to complete an accredited training program how to become a paramedic.
Explaining A Career Break To An Interviewer
An interviewer may ask you about your career gap. They do this to better understand your situation and see if you’re ready for returning to work. There are many reasons for taking a career break. If you decided to do it because you wanted to further improve your qualifications by attending university or role-specific courses, you may choose to discuss this openly during the interview. Showing confidence and sharing that taking a break was a part of your long-term professional goal may position you as someone who knows how to prioritise and organise your career.
If you took a career break for personal reasons, you might decide not to mention the details during the interview. Instead, consider assuring the interviewer that although recent months or years have been challenging for you, you’re ambitious and ready to return to work. Sharing some of your goals that you’d like to accomplish and showing how your skills can help the employer may increase your chances of advancing to the next round of interviews.
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After A Career Break: Tips To Getting Back To Work
Life happens. Many times, working professionals take a break from their careers to care for a young child, an aging parent, a sick family member, or for other reasons.
Getting back into the workforce can be a challenging obstacle to overcome, but its a necessary step to getting back to a rewarding career.
Here are some ways you can make these first few steps easier :
How To Update Your Resume After A Long Break
If youve been out of the workforce for a while, one of the first steps youll need to take before applying for jobs is updating your resume. While it may feel like all of your recent experience is now irrelevant, there are ways to focus your resume so that it highlights the skills and knowledge youve acquired during your break.
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Explain Your Career Break
Whether in a cover letter or interview, its important to consider how you explain your career break to employers. When you do so, do it with confidence. Some examples could be:
- Ive been caring for a sick relative
- Ive been home taking care of my young child
- I took a break to gain practical experience and skills, so I could make a career pivot
Whatever your reason for being away, try to keep the explanation honest but brief. Then refocus the conversation on your past accomplishments and work history.
How To Get Back To Work After A Career Break
Many working moms take a break after the birth of their child for an average of two years. And it’s not just moms: Whether it’s due to unemployment or personal factors, and whether your career break was planned or unplanned, taking time away from work is not uncommon.
But returning to the workforce after an extended period away can be challenging. Some recruiters and hiring managers will be understanding about years away from the nine-to-five grind, but others may feel trepidation about hiring you.
And, with time away from the workforce, your skillsalong with your resume and interview skillsmay need an update. It may be hard to feel confident and qualified, too.
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