1. Chalk out a Career Path
If you are entering the hiring pool again, you need to have a good idea of where you want to go in your career. You need to define your career goals and create a plan to get there. It will help you in figuring out the jobs you should apply for and the ways you need to approach interviews. Additionally, you will also be able to present yourself as the right candidate to potential employers when you are able to clearly express your reasons for wanting to work for them.
If you have had a career break, you are likely to be a little fuzzy on a career plan and it is pretty common. Your first step should be to sit down with a cool mind and define your career goals. It might include the type of jobs or roles that are important to you and where do you want to be in the next 5 or 10 years. Once you have defined these, you’ll be able to figure out the things you need to do to get there. It will help you in formulating a guide to make important decisions when you start searching for your next job.
2. Qualifications and Skills – Refresh
When you have been away from the workforce for some time, you will find that the existing skills you possess are a bit rusty. You should consider opting for a course or some training to refresh your skills and bring them up to date. It will make you feel comfortable and give you confidence. It will also show to future employers that you have been keeping up and you will have some qualifications to show for your efforts. It’s easy to find courses in the UK to refresh your skills and have something recent on your CV.
3. Embrace the Career Break
Don’t think of your career break as something you need to hide. Instead, it is important for you to embrace the break. Taking a career break offers a number of advantages and it should be used as a selling point to convince future employers.
Update your resume with your career break along with the new skills you have managed to acquire during the break. For instance, if you have done volunteer work during the break and that has helped you develop skills in working with a diverse set of people, it should be mentioned in your cover letter as well as interviews. You need to clearly outline how your newly acquired skills are an asset to future employers.
4. Broaden Your Network
When it comes to finding a new job, one of the best ways is networking. It’s possible that your network is thin after taking a career break. You need to take time to rebuild or expand your network. These connections could go a long way in helping you land that dream job.
Get in touch with your past clients and colleagues. Even if you haven’t been in contact with them for quite some time, you should contact them and let them know that you plan to come back to the workforce. Don’t forget to contact your friends and family members and ask them if they can introduce you to someone in the industry where you want to work.
5. Confidence is Everything
Hunting for a job after taking a career break can be intimidating and therefore, you need to have confidence in your abilities. You need to be confident to apply to new jobs, take interviews and face rejection. Rejection isn’t uncommon when you are searching for a new job. You need to have the ability to sell yourself to employers if you want to be a strong candidate and this ability will only come with confidence. You need to believe in yourself if you want others to believe in you.
6. Thorough Preparation for Interviews
Everyone finds interviews intimidating, especially when you’re trying to get a job after a career break. In fact, your first interview after the break could be the first time in a while for you to be in a professional situation. Don’t worry as you will get used to it. You will also feel the nerves of being interviewed for that dream role. It is important to understand body language and ensure that you are giving the interviewer a great positive impression.
Therefore, it is important to be thoroughly prepared for the interview. Don’t forget to prepare for questions about the career break. Sit down and think with a cool head about the questions that might be asked by potential interviewers. These might include concerns regarding your career break. You need to be prepared with answers. Practising with a friend or a family member can be immensely helpful and will help you develop a natural flow to your answers.
