If you have never taken a career break, you may find it difficult to understand the struggles of those trying to get back into the workforce. Transitioning after a career break is often challenging and can be overwhelming. People take breaks for different reasons, including maternity leaves, caretaking, traveling, or trying to find themselves. However, the process of getting a job after the break is often unnecessarily complicated. For one, the CV is looked at and treated differently. Thus, if you have taken a career break and want to restart your career, you will learn three tips to help with a smooth transition.
Figuring Out What You Want With a Career Break
Career breaks often arise out of necessity. However, despite their disadvantages, they also have numerous benefits. For example, career breaks can compel you to consider your previous and current choices. When returning to the workforce, you can ask yourself if you enjoyed working at your last workplace and still want to do the same job. Career choices also allow you to reflect on your skills and strengths and how they have evolved while you were away.
Additionally, you can consider your weaknesses and what areas you need to work on. This way, you can determine where your interests and skills are a good fit so you can align them with your career objectives. Therefore, if you only held a particular job because of financial reasons or because you had yet to figure out where your interests lie, a career break can help you recalibrate. Here are three tips for a smooth transition after a career break.
Update Your Skills
One of the things that can give you a competitive edge when restarting your career after a break is learning new skills. The good thing about most hard or soft skills is that you can pick them up at any age as long as you are committed. You can update existing skills or learn new ones to have an edge when applying for jobs.
To learn or update your skills, you can take short courses, do online training, volunteer, or pay for workshops and physical classes. This will make you a sought-after candidate and equip you with the qualifications employers desire.
Network
Networking will help you transition more easily when returning from a career break. Reaching out to your network will give you an idea of the changes since you left. This way, you can stay updated with relevant information. You can also ask for resources, insights, job openings, and training to help you transition.
Get Coaching
Sometimes, taking a career break can leave you doubtful of your skills. You may think you have lost sight and control over many things, making you unconfident. In such cases, getting a coach will help you regain confidence and mastery. Find a qualified coach who can mentor and offer guidance and direction.
They can teach you how to explain your career break and advise you on what courses and skills you need to return to the workforce. They can also advise you on combining the changes in your life so they don’t affect your productivity at work.
Navigating an ever-changing work landscape after a career break can be terrifying. However, following the tips in this article, you can avoid being overwhelmed and fearful and get a great job.
#Clique, have you ever taken a career break? What was your experience like after you returned, and what did you do to ease the transition? Let us know in the comments.