Whether you’ve taken off a few months or are deciding to return to work after several years, you may need some help figuring out where to start.
Here are six tips to help you return to work.
1. Choose a Career Field
Depending on how long you have been out of the workforce, what you’ve been training for in your spare time, or even what kinds of hobbies and interests you’ve developed, you might find that your old career isn’t the right fit anymore.
Look at your recent experiences, your skill set, and what excites you now to help you decide whether you want to stick with your previous career path or find a new career to pursue.
2. Consider Flexible Options
Do you want to work full-time or part-time? Maybe a flexible schedule? What about a hybrid schedule? Or do you prefer to freelance? No matter your flexibility needs, it’s important to nail them down before starting your search. If you know what you need to work from home, including search terms like “remote,” “work from home,” and “virtual” from the start will yield better search results and eliminate some unnecessary stress.
3. Tidy Up Your Resume and Cover Letter
Even if your resume is current, it’s always a good idea to give it a once-over to eliminate any typos or grammatical issues. If it’s been a while since you’ve updated your resume, now would be a great time to evaluate your skills, experiences, education, and volunteer activities to find transferable skills you can use in the workplace and to highlight all of the new skills you’ve gained.
While you’ll want to send out a customized cover letter (and resume) for every job you apply to, you can create an outline of what you will include in your professional documents in preparation for your search. For instance, if you have been out of the workforce, you will want to address this gap in your cover letter.
4. Clean Up Your Social Media
Social media is huge in a job search. Not only is it a great way to connect and network, but it is also used by recruiters and hiring managers to screen candidates. Make sure to update your profiles with relevant and professional information you will want recruiters to see. At the same time, clean up any potentially damaging photos, posts, or status updates that could be detrimental to your job search success.
5. Work Your Network
One you have a goal in mind and your documents and profiles are cleaned up, it’s time to reach out to others and get your search started. Let your network know that you are looking to return to work now. Your connections are great resources for finding opportunities and learning insider tips for making the most of your search.
6. Start Your Job Search
While some people might be ready to jump into the search head-on, for others, a more gradual start will make the process less overwhelming. Start by setting daily and weekly goals for your search, but make sure to keep yourself grounded with reasonable expectations. Yes, it is possible to find and land a job within a few weeks. But, for the majority of job seekers, the search usually lasts a few months. Take things slow and focus on quality over quantity.
Return to Work On Your Terms
Whether you’re dividing back into work headfirst or just dipping your toe in, knowing what you want and what you need from a job will help you focus your job search on the right jobs for your situation, saving you time and stress.
© Jessica Howington. All Rights Reserved.