For many women who have taken time out of their career to
spend with their children, going back into the workplace can seem rather
daunting. Whilst it’s lovely being at
home with the kids there comes a point for most mums (or dads) who have stayed
at home when they want to get back out there. It could be that your family
needs the money, that you have ambitious career plans or just that you want to
start talking to adults again! But the good news is that you can stage your own
career comeback. By following the four easy steps below you’ll be able to make
sure that you are prepared and ready for a successful return to work.
1. Create a compelling CV
First impressions count and your CV will be your primary way
in to any new job. It’s usually
recommended that a CV is only 1-2 sides of A4 so you really have to get it
right. A patchy or badly written CV can mean that you fall at the first hurdle
so get pro-active in planning how to make yours stand out. If you are returning to work and feel out of
your depth or have lost touch with your industry then a professional CV writing service can
be a wise investment. They can make sure that your CV includes everything that
you need to get the interview for that perfect job.
2. Volunteer in your chosen field
If you have been out of the workplace for a while it’s a
good idea to brush up on your skills and volunteering is the ideal way to do
this. It also looks great on your CV and enables you to get some current
experience in your chosen field. All sorts of businesses and services are happy
to welcome volunteers and it is often a brilliant way to get the inside track
on what a job is really like. Volunteering can also lead to paid employment
opportunities, and can let you get a foot in the door of the industry you would
like to work in.
3. Network, network, network
Networking can be a great way to find out about potential
new jobs and to get your face known again. You can use online forums such as
LinkedIn to connect with people in your industry, and it can also be a good
idea to go to a local networking group to meet businesses who may need your
help or expertise. You can also get your friends and family to spread the word
that you are looking for employment. Word of mouth referrals are very powerful and
so make sure that you shout about the fact that you are looking to get back in
to work and make the most of all of your contacts.
4. Give your confidence a boost
Mums tell us that they can lose some of their work mojo
after being at home with children so before you start searching for a new job why
not take a bit of time to give your self-esteem an overhaul. You could visit a
careers councillor to chat through your long term career strategy and to help
you understand your work strengths and weaknesses so that you are more
confident in your choices. You might also fancy an image re-vamp and it can be a great idea to review your wardrobe. Many large
department stores offer free personal shopping consultations so that you can
get a stylish work wardrobe that will give you that extra confidence when you
go for an interview!
We are sure that these
simple steps will set you on the right path for your career comeback. There are
lots of fabulous opportunities out there for mums returning to work and they
make up a really valuable part of the workforce. Good luck with your job hunt!
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