Beginning a second inning, i.e., getting back to work after a career break can be extremely difficult for women. There are a lot of personal and professional constraints that hinder their way of getting back into the industry. Even before applying, a dozen of questions hover the mind.
The first and the most difficult question is from where to begin. Another concern is about resume, whether it is up to the mark. Another challenge that women face is to explain their break and this challenge becomes even more intense when they want to look for options like work from home and that too in a field different from their experience. Employment gap proves to be a trouble for many.
To get somewhere, you need to start first. Get one thing straight to your head that no one can stop you if you want to move ahead. You can do multiple tasks and a career break doesn’t mean the end of you.
Mentioned below are a few tips to get you started with your career, again:
#1 Have faith in yourself
This is very basic and yet the most important factor. You should be confident in your appearance, skills, expertise, and experience. If you are not going to believe in your skills and capabilities, it is a bit too much to expect it from others then. Sometimes we turn to be the villain of our own story and by losing out on confidence and doubting yourself, you make things go against you. Believe that you can do it, and this will reflect in your actions and speech. Positive and confident people always attract others to them, and any employer would want an employee who is confident enough in her capabilities and skills.
#2 Jot down your competence
You have worked previously and during that time you may have learned a variety of skills and core competencies. Make sure you know each of your skill and make a note of it. It would be helpful for you as you will be able to tell the interviewer why he should hire you. It also will help you determine your worth. When mentioning your skills, don’t just stick to the technical skills but also include your interpersonal skills like communication skills, logical skills, etc. This would add a brownie point to your candidature.
Mentioning all the skills you possess to help employers to know what you’re bringing to the table and makes a positive impression about you. This step would also help you in knowing yourself better and becoming more confident.
#3 Mention your negotiable skills
If you are planning to switch to some other field that you might not have worked before into, make sure that you mention clearly why you might be a good choice for that specific field. Every point that you make needs proper logic in order to be supported and accepted. So is the case with choosing alternate career options. The employers might want to find out why you want to change your career path and if they are going to hire you, how would you be of any help to their organization.
Negotiable skills are those skills which can be passed on to other professions too. For example, if you possess writing skills then you can write to build your personal brand as well as write for organizations in need of writers. One can never lose the skills they have, no matter how long a break they have taken.
#4 Upgrade your skill-set
The world is dynamic, and change is the rule of the universe. You cannot expect to be the one for a long haul if you are outdated. Whether returning after a career break or not, learning new skills and getting to terms with new technologies is a must to survive. Think of this as an investment you are making on yourself. Getting some relevant certifications done would keep you ahead in the race of job, especially if you are making a comeback.
#5 Craft your resume
Once you are clear with what you want to do and what you can do in the job market, get your hands to build an impressive resume which is concise and crisp and delivers all the information a recruiter might want to know. Do not make it verbose rather stick to the point focusing on your skills, qualities, and experience.
Recruiters don’t spend much time screening resumes so make it strictly pertinent. It should be tailor-made for the job you’re seeking.
#6 Announce your comeback to the world
You are returning after a break and to be accepted you need to hit at the right spot. Search for jobs at right place and today there is no better option than looking for jobs online. Various social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Quora, etc. have recruiters looking for the right talent. It is contingent upon the type of job you are seeking. LinkedIn has lately become a good source to hunt for jobs. Just tap at all the places ad you don’t know which door might open for you. Just make sure to let people know that you are looking for an opportunity.
#7 Expand your social horizons
In the modern world of technological enhancements and internet, it is very important to be actively involved in building your network. What matters is who you know not what you know. Start making connections on platforms like LinkedIn. A professional platform will help you in learning various things and assist you with job search.
Engage in conversation with your connections. Like and comment on their posts/content. Attend any relevant offline or online meetings, seminars or workshops. Connect with the people who are right for you.
#8 Fix it like your routine
Searching and applying for jobs occasionally is not going to help. You should make it your routine to search for relevant jobs and apply. Make frequent connections and engage with them. Create your online presence and stay active on social media platforms. Finding a job is not a child’s play. Your success initially will be measured in the number of rejections you receive in comparison to your applications. Handle rejections positively and stay motivated.
#9 Set a timeframe
Develop a habit to look for jobs on daily basis. Bound yourself in a timeframe. Decide in how much time you want to get how many leads. Say in a 3-weeks' time you want to receive 10 leads, then apply accordingly and determine how many requests you need to send to achieve your target. Setting a time limit will help you keep on track.
#10 Don't be afraid to make mistakes
To err is human. Don't fear making mistakes, rather learn from them. Until you give it a shot you won’t know what would work and what not. While you are applying, fine tune your resume and stay prepared. Be flexible and kill it with confidence.
It might be challenging to get back to work post break but not impossible. You should be confident and prepared enough to face all kind of situations. Move ahead with the right approach and knock the right doors. There are people out there looking for talent and skills you possess. Just know whom to contact and project yourself in a positive light.
Turacoz Foundation, an organization of, for and by the women, understands the struggle of a woman. We know it is very difficult to find a good job post career break. We offer women work-from-home opportunities post training them in medical writing.
We believe in making women independent financially, emotionally and mentally. We are of the opinion that ‘a woman is more than just a gender’ and we happily extend our support to women all over the place and working towards women empowerment.
To know more about us and be a part of our family, write to us at [email protected]