Female professionals have equal
opportunities as their male counterparts these days. But one thing that can
push them behind is a career break. Most women have to take one at some point,
after marriage, during pregnancy, or in the early years of parenting. But you
need not assume that a break is the end of the road. You can start afresh and
make up for the lost time with the right mindset. Commitment and strategy can
bring you to par with your colleagues and open fresh growth opportunities
again. Here are some valuable tips for mommies looking to start afresh after a
career break.
Consider
your bandwidth
Rejoining after a career break brings
some challenges for a mommy. You may not wish to dive deep right away when the
kids are still young. At the same time, you do not want to extend the break any
longer. Consider your current bandwidth and look for opportunities to match.
You may start part-time or look for a flexible role that lets you work from
home. You may even take up projects as a freelancer to at least get moving
again.
Re-learn and
re-skill
The business landscape is dynamic,
and things change, regardless of the industry you work in. Your current skills
may not be relevant when you get back to your career after a break. Re-learning
and re-skilling give you a good start despite the gap, so watch the trends and
upgrade your education. Fortunately, you have the option of online courses and
upskilling programs you can easily pursue amid your mommy duties.
Rework your
resume and paperwork
You cannot expect to land a new job
with your old resume after months or years of staying out of action. Rework
your resume and redesign it according to existing trends and formats. Include
the additional skills and credentials you may have added during the off-time.
Check your certificates because you will probably need them while joining a
job. You may get a fake
high school diploma and transcripts if you cannot find the original
ones. Complete these steps before applying for jobs so that you need not face last-minute
hassles.
Be honest
about the gap
Recruiters will probably want to know
about your career gap. Be transparent about the duration as you mention it on
your resume and during the interview. Also, provide genuine reasoning for the
break, even if it is an extended one. Recruiters can see through
misrepresentation, so it is the last thing you should try. Provide genuine
answers, and they will surely have no qualms about hiring you.
Rebuild your
network
You may have been off-radar due to
your mommy duties, but remember to rebuild your network once you have a restart
in mind. Consider refreshing your LinkedIn profile first because recruiters
will surely check it. Also, connect within the industry and recruitment groups
on the platform. Attending industry events is a good option. You can also
reconnect with former employees and colleagues to explore opportunities in the
job domain.
Restarting your career after a mommy
break need not be as challenging as you think. Follow these tips to refresh
your skills, resume, and networks, and you are all set to go!
0 Comments