Published on Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008
You may have put your career temporarily on hold to raise a family, care for an elder, come to terms with bereavement or overcome a major illness. Else, it may have been a career break to continue your education or explore other options.
But, coming out of the self-imposed hiatus and returning to the workforce is easier said than done.
As you dust the dirt from your old certificates and draft a resume, the gap can engender feelings of reduced confidence and lack of certainty about your ability to perform a job. The very thought is quite nerve-wracking and daunting.
Even if you start out with hope in the heart, you cannot casually pick up your career from where you left off. Only if things were that easy…
Whether you have been away just for a year or ten, the rules will have changed. Especially stay-at-home parents and mid-life career returnees are shocked to find that their once-upon-a-time valuable education, qualifications and experience have now become obsolete and meaningless.
Trapped in the ‘over-age’ bracket, it is now difficult to compete with younger (read: enthusiastic, vibrant and energetic) candidates even for entry-level jobs.
With polite rejection behind every door, they find themselves facing a bleak future.
Making a comeback
Returning to the corporate world throws up difficult questions about childcare (for homemakers) and work-life balance.
Apart from these practical issues, here’s what you need to know and do to make a smooth transition:
Striking out anew – Since you have been away for a while it is not mandatory to go back to what you were doing earlier and continue in the same career field.
This career crossroad marks a perfect time to consider changing your work, particularly if it is out-of-date, too demanding or something that you don’t like. Figure out what you want to do in tune with your new interests, commitments, skills and personality.
Voluntary work, starting your own business, temping, freelancing or other flexible alternatives like working from home, part-time work and job sharing are appealing options that can help you to slowly brush up your skills while ironing out any hiccups in the transfer to the world of work.
You can even take self-assessment tests and meet with a career development professional to arm yourself with beneficial career tools as you step out in search of a job.
Making up for lost time – There would have been changes since you last worked; at times even the hiring parameters, preferences and work regulations can change drastically.
It is always advisable to keep track of what is going on even when you are not working. But, if you have negligently been out of touch, try to bone up professionally before you re-enter the world of work.
Read up industry news, professional journals and websites to keep abreast of your occupation, industry and working conditions. Research on what has changed, which skills are considered necessary and what you need to know to be competitive.
Talk to people in your network like former colleagues and supervisors about current trends, technology and expectations.
You will also have to refresh your skills, learn new ones and even retrain if looking for a new role.
Actual interview – Experts advise that career returnees should opt for a functional resume that highlights skills and work history instead of a glaring chronology of jobs. But, be positive and unapologetic about the gap in your employment history. Confidently explain that it was your choice to take time off to be a full-time parent or travel the world, as the case may be!
Get into corporate mode by promoting yourself and asking for what you want. Portray yourself as an effective and efficient worker who possesses the relevant skills and commitment even if you weren’t recently engaged in the workforce. But, be prepared, as you may have to start at a lower level or take a pay-cut initially.
Overcome the blues – Continue to be patient and optimistic, as it will definitely take time for you to land a job, especially if you are looking for flexibility to fit with your other responsibilities.
Steel yourself to handle the emotional strain, fear and depression as you can end up feeling torn and confused. Keep boosting your confidence and do not lose heart, as your perseverance will pay for sure.
This is a new chapter in your life with a good job waiting around the corner. Good luck!
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