Returning to the workforce after an extended leave can be scary. You might not know where to start on your new job search. You might not know how to make your resume as impressive as possible, how to charm your potential employees during an interview, or how to explain your time off.
Have no fear. We’re here to help. Here are some quick tips to help you return to the workforce.
1. Get Up to Date on the Latest Tech
Technology evolves quickly, but there’s no excuse for not understanding the basics of technology in the modern office. If you’re a little rusty, you must update your tech skills immediately, both for general technologies, like social media, apps, and the newest Microsoft programs, as well as any specific technologies you might use in your industry.
2. Consider Transferrable Skills
Though you might not have set foot in an office setting in years, this doesn’t mean that you haven’t learned any new skills since you’ve been on an extended leave. If you were a stay-at-home mom, you might have perfected your multi-tasking or organizational skills. If you travelled, you might have picked up some new languages. If you took time off to find yourself, you might have learned new skills while volunteering.
3. Take Classes
Before returning to the workforce, it might be wise to take some college classes or even online courses that can help you get noticed by employers. Many of these courses are free and can be worked around your schedule.
4. Use a Functional Resume
The traditional resume uses a chronological order to highlight recent work experience. Naturally, this is going to quickly show employers that you have a gap in your work history. Instead, use a functional resume where you showcase your skills at the top, so that’s the first thing hiring managers see while scanning your application.
5. Lean on Your Network
When returning to the workforce, it’s important to contact your network. Your old supervisor and colleagues might be able to help you with job leads, or at the very least, become references.
6. Attend Events
If you haven’t kept in touch with old colleagues or bosses, then consider attending events or meetings in your industry in order to make some new professional connections that could help you find work.
7. Volunteer
Meaningful volunteering can be a great way to eventually land a job. It can help you brush up on your skills, learn new skills, and gain experience that you can add to your resume. Volunteering has often been known to help candidates find jobs.
8. Consider Temp Work
When returning to the workforce, you might only seek out permanent, full-time opportunities, but this could make your job search that much more difficult. Consider taking on some temporary assignments. Temp work can lead to new contacts, new skills, and new experience, which can give you a leg up on your job search later on. Temp work can also lead to a permanent position if you impress your employers.
9. Engage a Staffing Agency
A staffing agency can help you in myriad ways when returning to the workforce. Its recruiters can help you fix up your resume, give you interview tips, give you guidance and advice about a career path, and, of course, help you find job opportunities that match your skills and experience.
Moving from the home and returning to the workplace can be nerve-wracking and daunting, no matter the reasons why you left in the first place. Use these nine quick tips and remain confident, and you’ll find yourself a new job in no time.
Ready to get back in the workforce? Contact Liberty Staffing today.
