Re-Entering the Workforce After a Break - FlexJobs

Re-Entering the Workforce After a Break - FlexJobsRe-Entering the Workforce After a Break 66There are all sorts of reasons for being out of work starting a family, helping care for a sick parent, just needing a break, and of course, losing a job. No matter your reasons for being unemployed, when you arethinking about re-entering the workforcethe job search process can seen daunting. If youve been out of employment for a period of time, there are several specific dos and donts for re-entering the workforce.We spoke with three collegiate career counselors who work with unemployed professionals to get their advice for re-entering the workforce after a break.Starting Your Job SearchWhen youre just starting your job search, its important tocreate a foundation by really analyzing what you want out of your future job.When Amy Soricelli, the Director of Alumni Career Services atBerkeley College, sits down with a person re-entering the workforceThe first thing I ask a returnee to do is to ma ke a list of what he/she is looking for in order of importance. What is the reason for the return? Then, we can strategize from that point depending on the most importantneeds first ( for instance, some need money, some need benefits).What job seekers might notlage realize is thata variety of free resources exist to help them in their search.Prospective employees should first visit their states workforce services department in person or online. Here they can research which jobs are in demand, view average salaries and even apply to open jobs. College grads can check with their schools Career Services departments as many schools offer lifetime placement assistance to their graduates, says Scott DeCloedt, the Associate Director ofCareer Services at Broadview University. This is a great resource for people re-entering the workforce.Resumes and Cover LettersTodraw attention away from your work history gap, and toward more relevant information, its important for people re-entering the wo rkforce to place emphasis on other areas.Resumes with large gaps of employment should be tailored to give emphasis to items other than employment history. Make the objective or summary, relevant skills, and any community or volunteer work the focus of the resume. Job seekers should always tailor their resume and titelbild letter to speak directly to the skills and experience called for in the job description, recommends DeCloedt.Deborah Smith, the Coordinator forCareer and Employment Services at San Jacinto CollegeSouth, recommendsusing a functional-style resumeto focus more on what you have done than on when you did it. A functional resume is a great way to de-emphasize gaps in employment since the emphasis is on skill sets instead of dates. Above all, honesty is essential. If the gap has been extensive, the job seeker may want to consider including a letter of explanation with their resume and cover letter.Professional NetworkingPeople re-entering the workforce after a break shoul dsurroundthemselves withtheir professional peers.Smith recommends joining professional organizations, and if possible, look for a mentor who is well respected and willing to guide and coach you in your new career.Professional networking websites like LinkedInallow returning professionals to network online, building and reconnecting with their network, and finding new job opportunities through people and companies theyre already familiar with. Soricelli recommends that all her alumni clients create a LinkedIn profile as one of the their first job searching steps.Job InterviewWhen you sit down for a job interview, it can be tempting to talk a lot about the reasons for your unemployment. However, even though it can be easy to become negative, especially if youve been unemployed and struggling to find work for a while,its vital that you remain upbeat during the job interview.Says Smith, The candidate must remain positive about their situation anddemonstrate what skills/experiences they gainedduring their period of unemployment. Positivity draws the interviewer in, whereas negativity, even when its understandable given the circumstances, naturally pushes people away. Keep your answers positive and forward-thinking.Minding the GapSoricelli also recommends that professionalsreframe their gap entirely.The gaps in ones career are never really complete gaps.Were they involved in their childrens school? How? What committees were they on? Did they volunteer? Do temp or contract work? If there are no outside activities then we would explain the gap with simple sentences like 1978 1985 HomeMaker Responsibilities included but not limited to the scheduling and care of three (3) children ages 8-13.And if you dont have any non-work experience yet, theres no time like the present tostart filling your gap.Smith advises, One of the best things you can do while unemployed is to embark on some volunteer/community experiences. That not only strengthens your resume, but also demons trates that you were proactive during their unemployment. Focus on the present and identify ways to become actively engaged in your job search and career decision making.If youre ready to see what sorts of flexible jobs exist for people re-entering the workforce, check out latest job postings available in over 50 career categoriesand ranging from entry-level to executive experience.