Are you ready to reenter the job market? People have all kinds of good reasons for taking a step back from employment. Perhaps it’s starting or spending time with a family, furthering your education, and getting a mental reset. But when it comes time to restart their job hunt, people re-entering the job market can find it to be an uphill climb.
Here are five steps you can take to make your renewed job search as smooth as possible.
Start Your Job Search Off on the Right Foot
Update Your Skills
Depending on how long ago you were last employed, you may need to brush up on your skills. This could involve anything from regaining your former typing speed to getting caught up on the latest version of Microsoft Office to relearning how to safely operate a forklift. And if you worked in a specific industry, you may want to do some research to see what trends have emerged since you left that industry.
Update Your Resume
Revisit your resume before you reenter the job market. Is there job experience that isn’t included? Is your contact information the same? Do you want to freshen up the look of your resume with a new format? Also, don’t worry about employment gaps in your resume. You’ll be able to address them in your cover letter and, to a fuller extent, your interviews.
Update Your Connections
As you start your job search, update your social media profile to re-establish connections with your friends and family – particularly if you have a LinkedIn account. (And if you don’t have one, this is a great time to create one!)
Take Advantage of Special Resources
The internet is full of great programs and tools for workers re-starting their job search. For example, iRelaunch is dedicated to helping people who’ve been away from the workforce get back in the game. And if you’re a mom, check out Apres or The Mom Project for advice for working moms.
Sharpen Your Interview Skills
Job interviews can be stressful for any jobseeker. But if you’re putting yourself in the employment marketplace after some time off, it’s even more daunting. That’s why it’s a good idea to review proven interview tips and research a company before an interview. Focus on what you can offer your prospective employer, and follow up with a sincere thank-you for the interviewer’s time. For more interview tips, check out this ICR blog post.
Ready To Reenter the Job Market? Put ICR Staffing to Work for You!
Searching for work is a full-time job in and of itself, but you don’t have to do it alone. Fill out ICR’s online application, and we’ll help you find an opportunity to match your skills and experience. Learn more here.
