From the course: Finding a Job

Reentering the workforce

From the course: Finding a Job

Reentering the workforce

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- Welcome back to the workforce. Even if you've been gone six to 12 months, things have changed a lot. Today's jobs are moving quicker than ever, so first things first. Take stock of your resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, recommendations and references, portfolio, website, and any other materials you've got. Make a list of what you need to update and start tackling those. The good thing that happened while you were out is that the talent acquisition and HR culture continues to evolve in favor of sabbaticals, family leave, and extended absences for life reasons. Today's HR leaders know that life happens and company cultures are evolving to appreciate the diverse perspectives a diverse workforce offers. You're reentering the most tolerant hiring environment we've seen, so as you'll hear me say often, it's all about how you position yourself in your absence. What's your story? How can you spin it to your advantage? That's your second piece of homework. Put together a concise, 30 to 60 second story on why you were out, why you're coming back, and why your perspective is unique and attractive. Turn your time out into a secret weapon. I want you to update your LinkedIn profile and resume to reflect what you were doing in that time and anything you learned that's transferable to the roles you're looking at. Don't just have a glaring gap of months and years. Fill it with context. Maybe you were out on medical leave, battling serious illness, and came through it triumphant and adept at multi-tasking and handling a crisis with a smile. Use your life to your advantage. Finally, be patient with yourself. Especially if you were gone for years and your industry has changed out from under you, understand you may have to come back more entry-level than you left. You'll probably need to demonstrate an adeptness for running up steep learning curves. Your attitude is going to be your best friend during this transition, but I congratulate you on taking the first steps.

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