Thinking about reentering the workforce? Corps Team CEO, Allison O’Kelly shares 10 tips for career planning, resume writing, networking and more.
- Start by evaluating what you want professionally and what you can commit to personally. This will help you set realistic expectations and criteria for evaluating opportunities.
- Next, understand your skills. Make a list of your expertise from previous jobs, community commitments, etc., and ask your friends what they see as your strengths. Look for opportunities that match these skills.
- Fill the gaps in your resume with strategic volunteering and contract work. Note the word “strategic” – look for opportunities that are relevant to the career you want to pursue or will help build skills you are lacking. Resume gaps are better than irrelevant fluff.
- Network! Start small by letting your friends know you’re looking. And remember – everything you do can be networking, from standing on the sidelines at your child’s ballgame to waiting in line at the coffee shop.
- Consider working with a recruiter – they have access to unlisted jobs.
- Look for stepping stones. Your first job when you reenter the workforce may not meet every single standard you desire, but look at its long-term potential and whether it will get you closer to your ideal career.
- Look into internships and returnships in addition to permanent positions. Selected strategically and with clear expectations, these can be just the refresher you need to get back into the workforce.
- Create or update your LinkedIn profile, using keywords relevant to your field and desired job. Recruiters see LinkedIn as an invaluable tool for finding qualified professionals.
- Don’t upload your resume as a PDF – it’s not searchable!
- Don’t apologize for your choices! A gap in your resume is only a big deal if you make it one.