How to Plot Your Return to Work After a Break

How to Plot Your Return to Work After a BreakHow to Plot Your Return to Work After a Break6Taking a break from the workforce, whether for a few months or a few years, can leave a bit of a void when it comes to making the decision to return. If you are wondering how to plot your return to work after a break, the below steps can help guide you and make the transition go more smoothly.Here are four steps to plot your return to work after a breakStep One Discover your wants and needs.Deciding to return to work is a big decision all on its own, but not the end of the process. Once you decide that you want to reenter the workforce, there are several other things to keep in mind. Here are some topics to think about before setting out to start your search.What do you want to do when you return to work after a break?Do you want to have the same career or a different one?Is a full-time schedule or a part-time schedule better for you?Are you looking for specific flexible options or benefits?Do you need to work from home?How far are you willing to commute?Do you need to find care for your children?Are there any issues that could make your return to work more difficult?Step Two Create a plan.After contemplating the above questions and having a firm grasp on your familys needs, you can start making plans. The following are some things to do when planning for your return to work after a break.platzset goals for the search and networking mark them on your calendar.Update your resume and portfolio.If you are looking to gain new skills or experience, make a plan to volunteer, take a class, or look for internships.Connect with professionals and conduct informational interviews.Seek out and verify job search services that can help.Prepare your elevator pitch, personal brand, and five-word job description.Step Three Start your search.Now that you know what you want to do, have goals set, and have your professional documents ready, prepare for your job search. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you get started.List out and use keywords that will help you to narrow your search.Consider looking at flexible companies.Dont limit your search based on your perceived industry.Using job titles as keywords can be useful, but dont let that limit you. Consider using partial job titles.Look for jobs close to home, as well as jobs that are not location dependent.Step Four Manage the search and prepare for interviews.Once your search is up and running, you have to continue to juggle the job search balls you have in the air. To be a successful job seeker, it is important to consider the following tips.Continue to tailor your resume, portfolio, and cover letter for EVERY application.Reach out to your network to find any unadvertised opportunities and for support and guidance.Practice your interviewing skills so that you feel comfortable when you get a call back.Make a template for a basic thank-you letter so it is ready to send out quickly.Remember that each job search is very personal and will vary based on your location and the type of work you are looking for. If you find yourself struggling, try reaching out to those in your network, other job seekers, or professional job search services to help you be successful on your return back into the workforce.Readers, are you looking to return to work after a break? Share your story with us in the comment section below

8 questions to help set your plan for the new year

8 questions to help set your plan for the new year8 questions to help set your plan for the new yearNew Years Eve has come and gone. Its a funny night. You are left with a twinge of remorse and a twinge of hope. People migrate to parties and streets with champagne in their hands surrounded by 150 of their closest friends to watch a ball drop anywhere from 10 to 141 feet, while they try to forget that they didnt accomplish last years resolutions and set lower bar resolutions for the coming year. Truly the happiest people of the evening are the cabbies who are out in scores to drive all the partiers home where they welcome the next day with a headache, little recall of their pared back resolve which sounds something like I will bedrngnis drink caffeine when the Penguins have a full healthy roster and a pork shank that needs to be roasted.Most resolutions dont come to fruition because they are merely notions. I will lose weight and I will get a new job are notions. I will go to the gym for an hour three times a week and I will define my transferable skills and create a matrix of companies that align with my values are goals.Growth and fulfillment come from self-awareness, self-regulation, self-nurturing and aligning goals with values. Below are a few reflective questions that help you set intent for the year based on realization. Maybe all is good? And maybe there is room for mindful growth and adventure.What happened last year at work?What happened last year in your relationships?What happened last year with your personal growth?What happened last year socially?What are you ready to leave behind?What do you realize most about last year?What is one thing you want this year?What is the first thing you will do to get it?Fulfillment isnt outside watching a ball drop. Fulfillment is inside you asking to be set free. How will you stop searching outside and open your internal windows to smell fresh air and allow opportunity to flood you with marvel? Right now you can mo ve on to your to-do list. Or you can spend 15 minutes becoming a thought leader on your future. If youre not sure how youll end 2019 you are already there. Craft a linear plan on how to advance your life this year with the FREE Career/Life Plan that I give my clients.MaryLeeGannon, ACC, CAEis an executive coach and corporate CEO who helps busy leaders get off the treadmill to nowhere to be more effective, earn more, bemore calm and enjoyconnected relationships with the people who matter while it still matters.Watch her FREE Master Class training on Three Things to Transform Your Life and Career Right Now atwww.MaryLeeGannon.com.

Ready to create or update your resume

Ready to create or update your resumeReady to create or update your resumeReady to create or update your resume? CareerOneStops Resume Guide can help you polish your resume to stand out in todays job market. Youll find A step-by-step plan for what to include in your resume Tips for writing, formatting, and polishing Sample resumes Marketing tips, including using tools likeLinkedIn and Facebook Resume FAQs