I work with different clients, at different career stages. One of those is of adults reentering the workforce.
In some cases, these were the designated and dedicated parents who tended to the kids, home, budgets and family management while their spouses earned the paycheck. It can also be the out-of-work professionals who, once laid off, haven’t been able to land back on their feet. Or, like another client I had, she took time off from her career to tend to her ailing parent. The scenarios are plenty. But the struggle is same: How do you position yourself for a steady job when you’ve been applying your skills in a different direction?
1 Plan Ahead
Consider your long-term goals and those of your family. If you are considering going back to work that’s outside the home, then give yourself 6-12 months to prepare yourself for that transition. This will help you stay proactive and to have the tools you need once you’re ready to dive into the job search.
2 Read the Trades
It’s really important to signal that you’re on pulse with your industry, and one way to do that that is to read the trade publications best suited for your sector. Open a Twitter account and start following the feeds that consistently break the latest and most relevant news stories. Reading those headlines alone with help you feel more on top of current events. If you want to stay here in Cleveland, and want to stay informed, then be sure to read Crain’s, as well as neighborhood and community publications.
3 Sign Up For a Class or Seminar
It’s really critical to showcase that your skills are as current as the industry itself. Sign up for a social media certification class, a Six Sigma program or the local Toastmasters group. Knowing the latest technology, mastering process improvement tools or honing your public speaking skills will build your confidence.
4 Research the Jobs and the Companies
Scan the job boards, work your network and see what’s out there. Read those job descriptions and company websites, especially the Investor Relations page, which offers great insight on the inner workings of the organization. What are they looking for? What’s their culture? Will they support your family needs? What does the board look like? Do any of the board members look like you? What is the turnover? Will you be a good fit? This is all important to know before you start applying.
5 Inventory Your Wardrobe
Maybe you haven’t left your home in years in anything but yoga pants and sneakers. Perhaps you have professional attire from your last working days, but that was from a decade ago. Maybe your body has changed. Perhaps you want to get in shape before the grueling job search process begins. And it is grueling. Now’s a good time to open your closet and mercilessly go through everything — shirts, skirts, pants, suits, dresses, shoes, belts, bags, ties — all of it — and try everything on to see if it’s worth keeping. Then plan a budget and time to go shop for the essentials.
Going back into the workforce is an overwhelming experience. I don’t know of a single man or woman who took is casually or who didn’t lose some sleep over the process. Being prepared and proactive, and thinking long term, will only help you succeed.
image: Chris Cooper, The Company Men, IMDb.com
Alexsandra (Alex) Sukhoy. I’m a writer, marketer and career coach at Creative Cadence LLC, and teach business students at CSU. You can find my first business book, Date Your Career: The Longest Relationship of Your Life, on Amazon. I’m currently writing a film noir screenplay called Cleveland City.
Twitter: @creativecadence. #letstalk