Reentering the Workforce After a Long Absence
The reasons why an individual may leave the workforce indefinitely are multi-faceted. The most common include maternity/paternity, palliative care for a sick or elderly relative, raising children, additional education, starting a business, stress-related leave, or simply taking time for creative endeavors.
A parting can take place in an official capacity, such as a sabbatical, while some workers may choose an early retirement. Yet, while the reasons for prematurely discontinuing your employment may vary, the rationales which motivate one to return to the workforce also range in basis.
Voluntary Return
In some cases, it’s simply a matter of daily monotony that attracts the willfully unemployed back into the workforce again. Children reach adulthood, personal goals were reached, retirement was unfulfilling, or various circumstances may have left you seeking additional purpose in your life.
Obligatory Return
In a situation where there is a compulsory decision to return to work for financial reasons, for instance, your options may be more limited; however a great deal of the same logic applies. It’s possible that when you planned your sabbatical or early retirement, you didn’t properly anticipate certain life circumstances that may have caused you personal economic strain. However, don’t despair because this is an obvious and common concern, which can also be met with an additional sense of fulfillment if approached in the correct capacity.
Consider the Climate
Businesses are losing an immense amount of talent in a short span of time due to the large group of baby-boomers who have reached retirement age, and employers are scrambling to find their replacements. In most cases an early-retiree is welcomed back with open arms, and possibly, a certain sense of relief. These returned employees have expertise; they already know the ropes, and can work autonomously. If these experienced employees choose to spend a few extra years training the newer recruits for future leadership roles, then that is also a tremendous bonus for any company.
Therefore, whatever your line of work or reason for leaving, don’t necessarily look upon your absence as a hindrance. For every company looking to hire the twenty-something college graduate with no actual hands-on experience, there are countless employers who appreciate maturity and a longer range of experience, despite some work history gaps; so it’s important to maintain your confidence, and focus on these types of opportunities.
First Presentation
Chances are, if you have been out of the workforce for a substantial length of time you may not even have an electronic résumé. If this is the case, focus on converting your hard copy paper resume into a format which modern employers can handle. Remember that the long gaps in your work history can be addressed during an interview, yet any volunteer experience you may have acquired during your absence should certainly be included; as good employers appreciate a well-rounded job candidate.
If you furthered your education and earned an MBA or any other degree or certification which would be valuable in your chosen field, no further explanation is necessary. An employer will be happy to speak to somebody who's interested in expanding upon their education.
Spotlight your accomplishments, your abilities, and how they are relevant to the job you're seeking. If your extended absence was due to strictly personal reasons, adding “further details available on request†is more than sufficient, and no added concentration is necessary. If your initial reason for leaving the workforce was to raise children or care for a family member, it’s important to remember that you are not the first person to make this decision and you certainly won’t be the last. A modern and sensible employer is aware of this and should be respectful of this fact.
Updated Skills
If your absence only spanned a few years, your job skills are most likely still valid, however, you may find that you need to brush up on certain proficiencies. Nowadays, five years can seem more like ten due to the speed at which workplaces are evolving, due mostly to technological advancements and changes in communication techniques. Try looking into training webinars, online tutorials, and adult education programs in your area.
If you have been unemployed for close to ten years or longer, then it is well worth your time to investigate many of the free online schools (including some fine ivy-league colleges that would surprise you) to get a new certification, or even a degree.
If you have been out of the workforce for a considerable amount of time, but walk in to an interview with a freshly minted diploma or certificate, you are demonstrating that you are self-directed, well-versed in your field, and ready to work.
Game-Changers
What is extremely important for candidates who have been out of the job-seeking world for ten years or longer to remember is that the methods for seeking employment have changed drastically. While individuals were utilizing online job searching techniques ten years ago, there is a possibility you have never personally experienced these changes, especially if you spent many years working for the same employer before your departure.
There is currently an expansive array of employment websites to register with as well as mobile apps to get you started on your search. Luckily, they are not difficult to find, and a little extra time searching the internet should direct you toward the right path.
Moreover, don’t forget to set up a LinkedIn profile, since employers in recent years have been relying heavily on LinkedIn as a viable recruitment source. This will also give you the opportunity to network toward the job you want. In addition to listing your skills and experience, be sure to display on your profile that you are seeking employment.
Starting Out
In all cases, seeking out a reputable employment agency or career counselor can also help you reenter the work force through proper coaching and correct representation of your talents. Inform them of your skills, and try out some of their assessments. Another important part of their job is that they can reveal overlapping areas of interest that can lead to a new career you haven't even considered.
Consider accepting a part-time or temporary position through an employment agency to help you acclimate yourself back into the working world, and don’t be afraid to agree to a temporary position that is outside of your original line of work. Temp assignments can be short-term and consecutive, and may even offer you the opportunity to discover a new endeavor you never realized you had a talent for.
If this is the case, the agency can help you focus on acquiring full-time employment in the particular area you are interested in. You can build credibility with a particular employer, while seeking out the full-time position you want. You can also attain a reputation as a reliable worker for the employment agency, and they, in turn, will find you better quality opportunities once you have proven yourself as a valuable, dependable worker.
Additionally, a career counselor or recruiter can help you brush up on your interview skills; which will be invaluable when seeking employment after a long break. Job interviews can be nerve-wracking for the job-seekers who have never left the market, let alone for someone returning from a long absence of non-employment. This is also something you can do at home by reviewing and answering practice questions, and even video-taping your replies to assist you in smoothing out your verbal (and non-verbal) communication.
In the Meantime
While we may be living in a digital world, especially in terms of job-hunting and employment in general, there is still much to be achieved through the fading art of making in-person connections. Print up some business cards and keep them handy. On the occasion you encounter someone with a connection to your field of interest, whether at a dinner party or walking through a shopping mall, don’t hesitate to hand out your card.
The Takeaway
Regardless of the reason you left the workforce to begin with, or your reason for returning, the world is full of opportunities. Approaching this new stage in your life with a smile and an upbeat attitude will get you there faster. Positivity is a very attractive attitude to employers -- and people in general -- and quite possibly, one of those people may just lead you to your perfect job after all these years.
Stewart, Cooper & Coon, has helped thousands of decision makers and senior executives move up in their careers and achieve significantly improved financial packages within short time frames. Contact Fred Coon – 866-883-4200, Ext