Re-entering the workforce?

In today’s economy, individuals are facing a new reality. Whether you have recently been discharged from the military or returning from active duty; a retiree realizing that you need to return to work for financial reasons or because you WANT to work; or re-entering the workforce after being a stay at home mom; there are things you should consider prior to starting your job search.

Before you jump in, really think about what you want to do, if you want to go back to what you were doing before, great. If not, do some research on your potential new field and really find out if it is for you. Don’t be afraid of making a career change.

If you choose to go back to what you were doing before, don’t expect to make the same salary or get the same position. The requirements for your old position may have changed. Further, stay up on new developments with your old company; acquisitions, mergers, product launches, etc. That may be the ideal first place to look for re-employment.

Refresh your skills and don’t be afraid to learn new ones. Read industry publications, take classes, go to seminars and conferences. If you are not the most technologically savvy, get some help. You don’t want to seem out of date.

Keep in touch with colleagues from your past jobs. E-mail them regularly, meet them for coffee or lunch, connect with them via social networking sites (Linked In, Facebook, Twitter, etc.). Let them know when you are ready to go back to work.

Think about hobbies you enjoy and think about ways you can turn a hobby into a profitable business. If you are really good at repairing cars or household appliances, carpentry, lawn care, gardening, making jewelry or knick knacks, cooking, etc.; any of these skills can be turned into a lucrative business.

Have you done volunteer work? If not, do it! This offers more than a great philanthropic experience. If you get more involved and take on greater roles and responsibility, you can get exposed to different work experiences you otherwise would’ve never had the opportunity. Taking on greater responsibility also has a greater possibility of turning into full time PAID employment. Also, this is a great outlet to meet new people.

When you’ve decided your strategy, the next step is refreshing your resume. It may be difficult to draft an effective resume if you’ve been out of the workforce for a long period of time. Consider your marketable skills that are relevant regardless of industry or role and draw a parallel to how they are transferable to the workplace. Be careful not to inflate your experience. When you fine tune your resume, highlight accomplishments even from past work; especially if it’s relevant to the role you are looking for now.

Consider part-time or freelance work not just to put some money in your pocket but more so to get you acclimated to a work routine and work environment.

Once you get called for an interview, research the company and hone your interview skills. If you were in the military, be careful not to use lingo inappropriate for the civilian workforce. If you were a stay at home mom, be sure not to focus on work hours and talk too much about your children. The important thing is to be genuine.

My recommendations for individuals re-entering the workforce are similar to those I would give for “active” job seekers. Anxiety and doubt are understandable; but know that there are employers who will give you a chance. Remember presentation is everything, be patient and don’t give up.

Allyson Smith is the principal of Smith HR Consulting, an HR Consulting firm operating in the Atlanta metropolitan area.

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