It’s time to get back into the workforce but you have no idea where to start. Here are five tips to get you started with your first step, rejuvenating that resume.
1. Revamp your old resume
Pull out your resume and look at it. Your resume is your marketing page. When you have a gap in your work history the potential employer doesn’t necessarily want to see what you did years ago. Write down recent work and use relevant experience or academic projects. Showcase your resume with the most recent first and then your previous work history. Keep it to one page so it is easy to glance at for the potential employer. If you don’t have official work titles think about volunteer work, freelancing, or what you have been doing while you were out of the workforce.
Think about these soft skills when showcasing your new resume:
- Work ethic
- Communication
- Adaptability
- Attention to detail
- Time management
- Customer service
- Empathy
- Leadership
- Multitasking
- Resilience
2. Honesty in your Cover Letter
Explain in business, but relatable, terms why you are applying for the job. The cover letter needs to show how you will meet the employer’s needs. Explain how you’ve kept up with your industry even being out of the workforce here. You will also want to mention why there was a gap for a certain amount of time. This is where you can explain that you were raising your family, or you were taking care of a family member, etc. When writing this explanation keep it professional and to the point.
3. Temporary work
If you don’t have specific skills you can highlight or feel like you need a small start into the workforce look at temporary work. You can contact staffing agencies for this. Finding temporary work can help step into the workforce and add to your resume.
4. Search out additional education
If you are not up to date find training that will get you there. This may be in the digital field or it may be how you work with current data programs. Employers want to see that you can be hired and know the current trend, or a current digital program, you will look like a strong candidate if they don’t have to spend as much time teaching you the basics.
5. People understand gaps
There are no long-term linear careers anymore. People change with their environment and fit what works for them. Some people pick up entrepreneurship, volunteer work, online work, and much more. Employers understand that this is the current environment. List the relevant jobs you have added to your life during this gap or before.
