Just as there are many reasons to leave your job, there are many reasons why you may choose to go back to work. For many individuals, financial standings may be the main reason that drives the decision to return to the workforce. Whatever your reasons are, going back to work may seem intimidating, but it is often easier than it looks.
As the economy advances, more job openings have been added to the current job market, which leads to more opportunities for job seekers. If you’ve been out of the office for more than a year, here are some things you should check before you go back there.
Remain A Positive Mental State
Let’s face it: the longer you’ve been out of work, the more anxious and insecure you may feel when planning to go back. It’s normal to be afraid or feel intimidated. However, attitude is in fact a crucial part of your job search, and a negative mental state will only drag you downward in your job search.
If your anxiety or depression is significant, don’t be afraid to seek counselling. Talk to your family and friends, or simply breathe and meditate when you feel nervous. It’s essential to relax and clear the mind, so you’ll know the right actions to take and be able to magnetize the opportunities you want. Connecting with nurturing friends who’ve been in the same situation before and sharing your feelings can also help if you’re feeling isolated and insecure.
Decide What You Want To Do
It’s impossible to achieve anything if you don’t know which direction you want to go. The first step in returning to the workforce is always finding the position and industry that you are interested in. You could be going back to the same position where you left off, or you could be brave and pursue a new career.
If you decide to test the water in a new industry, use online job boards such as indeed, glassdoor, or linkedIn to see what’s out there, and research how you can reach your goal. You could even reach out to influencers in your targeted industry and get more information about the positions you’re interested in.
Make Sure Your Resume Is Ready
As we all know, your resume is the most important element of your job search. Once you’ve decided to go back to work, the first thing you should do is to update your resume and make sure the entire document is focused on your targeted position. Every accomplishment, position description, and keyword that aligns with you goal should be highlighted.
Since you have a visible time gap in your resume due to your break, make sure you’re still up-to-date with the latest trend, most popular software/program, and most desirable skills in your targeted industry. Also, don’t forget to addressed specifically why you are the best candidate for the position and how your expertise aligns with what their company is looking for.
Contact A Former Employer
If you decide to go back to the industry where you last worked, contact your former employer to see if they have any opening available, or reconnect with old colleagues and find out if they know any good opportunities
If you have a former employer or coworker who you got on well with, get in touch and chat about future work possibilities. Reconnecting with people from your professional network is a great way to explore potential opportunities that you might be interested in. Plus, getting familiar with the latest trends from someone in the industry and having a professional conversation will help you get into your work routine faster.
Practice Interviewing
If it has been a long time since you have written a resume, it has probably been years since you’ve been interviewed. The best way to prepare is to search the most popular and most frequently asked interview questions for the position you’re interested in. Read some sample answers and write out what you find is suitable to say for your future interviews. You could also get a friend or family member to conduct a mock interview with you, just to get you familiar with the interview process again.
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