Looking To Get Back Into Work After A Career Break? Here Are Some Tips To Help You
Have you taken a career sabbatical due to family reasons, taken time out following redundancy, or temporary retirement?Have you decided to step back from work to have various experiences, such as exploring the world or just to rediscover yourself?
Whatever your reasons for taking a career hiatus, there may come a point when you decide to get back on the job ladder and pursue your goals. Getting a job might be intimidating enough, but returning to work after a period of unemployment can be even more nerve-wracking.
You might be nervous about starting a new job, or you might be concerned that your abilities are a little obsolete because a lot has changed since you last worked in your previous position.
If you believe you are in this position, the following are some practical suggestions to assist you to boost your chances of resuming your profession after a hiatus.
It is fairly usual for candidates to fear that having a gap on their resume will cause them to lose their job opportunities.
However, rather than considering it as a disadvantage, consider it as something beneficial that might help you stand out from other candidates. If you have been out of a job for an extended period of time, do not try to hide it. Even if it is only a chance for you to take a step back and re-evaluate your future profession, taking a sabbatical can bring a number of advantages that can make you just as, if not more, employable after you return.
Use a cover letter builder to include all of the new abilities you have acquired during your gap and explain how they connect to the position you are currently applying for in your cover letter.
For example, did you complete any training in new technology that was specialized in? Did you participate in voluntary work and hone your leadership abilities, which will allow you to lead a team more effectively in the future? Or maybe seeing the globe gave you a much-needed confidence boost that you were in desperate need of? Perhaps you participated in online sports nutrition courses? All of these can be great things to include on a resume.
Think about networking
When searching for your first job after taking a career pause, do not forget to tap into your current network of contacts. You should spend some time reaching out to your former coworkers, clients, acquaintances, and family members. Inform them that you are in the market for a new position.
Perhaps they can find you the perfect job or at the very least point you in the right way. This is also a good time to gather any possible references who may be able to provide support for your new employment applications.
Show your confidence
Getting back into the recruiting market after a period of time away from work, whether it is 12 months or 12 years, may be a nerve-wracking experience. The most important thing is to maintain your self-belief and self-assurance throughout the process.
If you lack self-assurance, it is easy to underestimate the value you can provide to a company. Make a list of your abilities and qualifications on a piece of paper. If you need a pick-me-up throughout your job search, you might refer to this to get you going. If you are not sure where your strengths lie, ask friends and family to provide input on where they believe yours are. They might make some suggestions that you had not previously considered on your own.
