A long break, whether planned or not, makes it challenging to return to work.

The need to update your skills, write a professional resume, and prepare for interviews can be overwhelming.

Besides, some hiring managers and recruiters may be hesitant to get you back on the workforce.

But don’t be nervous, you can go back into the job market by following a few essential steps.

How to Return to Work After a Long Break

There are opportunities to return to the workforce, as US companies eagerly seek talent.

This is due to the projected labor shortages, particularly for experienced workers. There has been a 4.1% decrease in the unemployment rate as companies begin to understand the significance of tapping into the underutilized skills and talents of professionals below retirement age.

So, how can you make your job search successful?

Assess Your Professional Needs & Goals

Take time to consider your job needs and wants: Will the position you’re seeking fulfill and gratify you?

You should evaluate whether you want to go back to a role you held before or try something different. Aside from financial reasons, try to identify other reasons for your interest in working again, this will help guide your search. Make a list of all your personal requirements for your next job, including salary, the flexibility of hours, and insurance coverage.

Consider how to best showcase any new skills you developed, side hustles you started, or the classes you took while away. Even if you were not in formal employment, you might have notable accomplishments to add to your resume or mention during interviews.

If you are a woman who took a career break to raise a family, be aware that you are not alone but that it’s important to keep the personal and professional separate when you reenter the workforce. The number one reason why women in the US drop out of the workforce is to care for other family members. The good news is that companies are now more willing to hire women with career gaps as they try to re-enter the workforce and even consider the nurturing and management skills that those women have developed to be useful.

Learn The New Aspects of Your Industry to Find Potential Jobs

Technological advancements have facilitated the growth and evolution of industries at breakneck speed.

As such, you must familiarize yourself with any new changes that affect your industry, or the daily life of workers in general, as you plan to return to work. While you must do this research to succeed in a new role anyway, examining your industry itself can actually lead you to find potential employers or roles.

Here are some essential steps to take to ensure that you’re aware of all job opportunities in your industry:

• Research what leading companies in your industry are up to; pay attention to the salary range of different roles and job descriptions. Conducting extensive research on prospective employers is one of the best ways to prepare for a job interview. You should research every company that strikes your interest for possible open roles or consider reaching out to them personally.
• Reach out to your former colleagues and use their networks to find potential job leads. Not only can your contacts get you leads, but they’ll also update you on the latest trends, including the new jargon and big players. Ask for tips and general advice for your comeback. Let them know that you’re looking to return and ask them to keep you in mind.
• Attend informational interviews to get updated with new references for your real job interviews. Conferences will also keep you up to speed while allowing you to expand your professional network.
• Seek the services of a recruitment consultant. Work with a company that has close relationships with clients to get valuable insight into your prospective employers. A consultancy will also recommend suitable roles to you and help you prepare for interviews.
• Manage your expectations as it may take a bit longer to get a job, especially if your industry has fierce competition. Stay motivated, and you’ll find the right job opportunity with time.

Do You Want Return to Work Like a Pro? Update Your Skills

During your research, you’ll discover that there are new words, trends and essential programs in your industry. Even if some of the tools are still the same, you’ll still need some time to get used to them again. Try downloading some of the new and old programs that you might use to learn your way around them. Refreshing your skills before you send out cover letters or go to interviews will make you a more suitable candidate for companies.

Here is how to stay ahead of the competition during your job search:

• Volunteer for work, even if it’s in an unrelated field. Employers like to hire a candidate who is accustomed to a structured environment and can work as part of a team. Many organizations and non-profits need extra help in their offices, this is also a good way to develop contacts and skills.
• Take classes either online or enroll for an in-person course. Technological advancements have revolutionized all industries, and there may be new programs or products available that are unfamiliar to you.
• Subscribe to premium content online, such as podcasts and newsletters. For some industry fields, you may want to read your old textbooks and daily industry news to refresh your skills.
• Follow the leaders in your industry on social media to stay up-to-date on any relevant content they share. This will enable you to expand your knowledge by educating yourself on key industry trends and give you the opportunity to show off your knowledge and commitment in interviews.
• Refine your narrative so that it’s both authentic and compelling. With a career story that everyone wants to hear, you’ll be at a better capacity to get satisfying job offers.

When writing your resume, use a functional version instead of a chronological one as this will not highlight your employment history gap during the career break. However, make sure that this resume is as easy to read and skim as possible, so that you can make it past the first screening. As you update your skills and resume, update your profile on the various online job boards.

A Final Word

Don’t be nervous if you’ve been out of work for six months or longer, but be ready to explain to your interviewer why you were away while keeping your answer as professional and unemotional as possible.

Keep in mind that refreshing your skills by learning all new aspects of your industry will raise your chances of getting hired.

Once you get a job offer, return to work with a bang by learning how to negotiate salary and benefits packages.

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