Don’t be afraid to get back into the job search game

People leave the workforce for many reasons. You may have left your job to raise children, because of an illness or to take care of a family member or loved one. My mother left the workforce for more than a decade to raise my sister and me, for example.

While looking for work after months or years without a job is intimidating, you need to know that there is a place for you in the workforce. Finding a job will take time and effort, however. You also need to know where to start.

The starting point

You’ll likely want to first sit down and type out a resume or profile, but that can be discouraging when your most-recent employment is months or years in the past. Hannah Morgan, a job search strategist and founder of CareerSherpa.net, suggests you first figure out what you want to do and what kind of job would fit into your life. You may not want a high-pressure job right of the proverbial gate, for example.

Morgan told me it’s then time for you to take stock of what skills and expertise you’ve gained or used while out of the traditional workforce.

“What I’ve found, especially with stay-at-home moms, is that they are actively engaged with nonprofit activities or on boards that keeps their skills fresh,” she said. Those can be added to your resume to help fill the gap in employment.

If you don’t have experiences at nonprofits or on boards to lean on, you can add your sabbatical or leave to your resume or profile. “In today’s environment, companies and recruiters are a bit more forgiving than they were years ago.”

You should also spend some time learning what skills you need to for the type of job you want. Job descriptions are one place to find out what skills are required for those types of positions. You can also reach out to people doing that work for some guidance.

Ask your network for help

Networking isn’t easy, but Morgan told me it’s a must — especially for people returning to the workforce. Your connections, such as other parents or neighbors, can leverage their networks to get you inside various companies. “The people you used to work with many years ago may be fine but start with the people who know you best and may go out on a limb for you.”

For people who don’t have large networks, Morgan suggested looking for local or online job search groups, which are filled with other job seekers looking for connections. “If they can join a group of people or create their own, they’re so much more likely to be successful.”

In addition to suggesting you to their friends and colleagues at various companies, Morgan said networking with people who believe in you can help build up your self esteem. “Staying positive is one of the most important parts of a job search.”

Don’t sell yourself short

Once you do get a job interview, don’t sell yourself short during the conversation. “Human nature— especially for older people and women — is to be too honest,” said Morgan. You may have the urge to start off job interviews by admitting you’ve been out of work for a long period of time, but it’s best not to draw attention to the gap.

Instead, focus on the skills you have and how you will solve the employer’s problems. If or when they ask about your employment gap, be honest but make sure to redirect the conversation to your strengths.

Additionally, Morgan said it’s important to keep a positive mindset and remember that it’s possible to find a job. “You need to be good to yourself and remain confident.” 

Did you return to the workforce after months or years? Or, are you going through this process now? Join the conversation.

? #GetHired LIVE:

Exciting news! We’re bringing this newsletter to life starting Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 1 p.m. EST. Watch the video below for more information and don’t forget to follow the LinkedIn Editors’ page.

? The follow-up:

Many job seekers think they should lock down their social media accounts during a job search. While that may keep unsavory posts from recruiters and hiring managers, it can also make them wonder what you’re hiding. Also, you’re ignoring a powerful job search tool. Kerri Twigg, founder of Career Stories Consulting, told me for the last edition of #GetHired that you should use your social media to your advantage. She suggests cleaning up your social media posts and connections, have a consistent story and message, and play to the strengths of the different platforms. Here’s what people are saying about the advice.

? Other news to help you #GetHired:

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? Up next:

You send a lot of your information to companies when applying for jobs. In the next edition of #GetHired, we’ll take a look at what companies do with the information once you’re hired or removed from consideration. Is it deleted? Destroyed? Or, is it kept in the company’s applicant tracking system? Tell me in the comments below if you’ve ever experienced issues with the data you submitted to potential employers. 

Thanks for reading! Feel free to reach out to me if you have ideas on topics or questions I should address in future editions of #GetHired. You can also email me at GetHired[at]LinkedIn.com.