Re-entering the Workforce
It's understandable that when you have kids, you're ready to trade in the day job for a life of more child-oriented chores. Who could blame you? But, as the years pass, your children grow-up and begin to need less supervision. And before you know it, they'll be at college or out in the workforce themselves.
You might find yourself with more time on your hands and feeling like there are too many hours left over to pass. That's when it becomes important to consider re-entering the workforce so that you can continue contributing something meaningful and productive to society while also providing an income that can supplement retirement savings or other investments.
Here are some things I've learned over the years that can help guide your re-entry decision:
Work for the right company – check in with your company to see if there's any openings for new hires. There might be a temporary assignment or a full-time role opening up.
Don't go it alone – hire a professional advisor to help you find work and navigate the job search process. You'll find that having someone there to advocate on your behalf will make all the difference when it comes to securing interviews and receiving offers of employment. And you'll want to make sure your resume is up to date and professional so that it receives the attention it deserves.
Ask for advice – network with family and friends, put out feelers with old colleagues, and talk to others who are currently re-entering the workforce. Ask them what they wish they would have done differently in their job search. The insight will be invaluable in getting you back in the game the right way.
Join an advocacy group – if you belong to a professional association or networking resource where members tend to share similar job experiences, use that as a platform to get advice on job search strategies and tips on how to succeed while re-entering the workforce.
Go back to school – consider getting an advanced degree if there are opportunities for employment that you can pursue in more specialized roles where more experience is required.
Make the most of your time – it's important to have a plan in place and to stay focused. Just be sure not to overcommit, and make sure you have sufficient resources available so that you don't burn out trying to do too much too fast.
Remember, the time you spend re-entering the workforce will only be as rewarding as the effort you put into it. Here are some things to keep in mind:
Be realistic – don't set your expectations too high. Remind yourself that you're coming back from a break and must use this time as a testing ground for what you've learned over the years that can help you get to the next level of your career development. Also, realize that it's going to take some time before you secure full-time employment again and that means having clear goals in mind and finding work-life balance with enough flexibility in your schedule.
Be patient – be sure not to expect immediate results and don't give up when time seems like it's passing by without any traction. Patience is going to be important in allowing your body and mind to recover from years of under-performing. Remember that no one is going to work overtime for you, so you're going to have to show initiative and adaptability on your part.
Have a plan – make sure you have an idea in mind of the direction you want your career development to take. Think about where your expertise lies and develop strategies for how you can achieve it using skills that didn't get utilized during the time spent out of the workforce. Figure out what kind of skills might be necessary now so that you can demonstrate those when it comes time to find employment again.
Get assistance – don't delay in getting help with your job search strategy. Ask for assistance when needed and work with a professional advisor to find interviews and potential employers. You're going to need a much more comprehensive plan in place once you re-enter the workforce, so work with a professional who can help you make the transition that much smoother.
Don't go it alone – it's very tempting to take control of your own job search, but the chances are very high that you won't have the right perspective to land an interview or secure an offer of employment. That's why you should work with a professional who can help lead the way.
Put yourself out there – as you develop your job search strategy, don't be afraid to reach out to potential employers to let them know that you'd like to be considered for available roles in their company. An unsolicited letter is one of the best ways to get your foot in the door, but it can also be a very effective way to get noticed once you've made it through the screening process.
Don't use up all your time – if you're re-entering with past experience under your belt, it's important not to overcommit. Your time away from the workforce has left you with a lot of time on your hands, so focus on work that you really enjoy and don't be afraid to pursue other things that may lead to new networking opportunities or professional development.
Think about long-term – as you enter this phase of your career development, think about what you want for the future. You might want to continue your education, pursue a certification or degree program, or choose a different career path altogether. Set goals for what you'd like to experience – develop a vision and then work backwards to figure out how you can achieve it.
Be patient – when it comes to getting employment, it's important not to expect an immediate result. You should appreciate the opportunity that you have right now, and make the most of this phase of your career development. Don't make a promise to yourself that you're going to be working at a job where you don't enjoy the environment or where your skills are underutilized. Figure out what is realistic in terms of months before re-entering the workforce, and start small with tasks that can help you re-connect with your industry and build credibility without compromising too much time away from work.
Take advantage of feedback – listen to feedback from your potential employers, so that you can make adjustments and keep moving forward. Remember that this is your chance to show your value – they're looking to you not only for the skill-set that you bring in with you, but also for proof that you're ready to re-enter the workforce and make an impact now.
Incorporate experiences into your job search strategy – if there's something that's helped you over the past five or 10 years but hasn't been utilized in your job search, don't feel like it's appropriate for this phase of your career development.
Conclusion
The job search process can be overwhelming, but there are strategies you can use to make it as painless as possible. You're going to need to wait for the right opportunity, and it's also going to require a significant level of flexibility in your schedule. Remember that you may have the experience and skills necessary in order to get back on track, but there are new strategies involved when it comes time for you to re-enter the workforce.
Use your network, develop your resume and complete an advanced degree in order to give yourself an edge over other candidates who might not be able to offer as much value as you can.