Tip 1: Preparation for Returning to the workforce
Being fully prepared for returning to the workforce is crucial. Many people jump back into work without considering if they are fully prepared. Set up support systems to avoid feeling overwhelmed, stretched thin, or totally drained by your career and personal life. This includes child support and support in the home. You don’t necessarily need to pay for this support – it can be other family members or friends agreeing to support your journey back to work – but it’s best to plan this support in advance. During your time off work, you may also have decided that you are ready for a career change and discovered you need to reskill. Although the study may seem daunting to undertake with children, remember that online courses offer the flexibility to manage study and family and often have direct access to trainers at times convenient to your schedule. This empowerment can make the journey back to work more manageable and less overwhelming.
Tip 2: Upskilling and Retraining
So, you have decided that your prior work situation won’t be viable with children? You may have found yourself out of work following an extended break from the workforce, or you may have decided to find a new career or up-skill. Then it’s time to do some training. This could be the key to unlocking new opportunities and ensuring your skills are up to date. The best part is that there are courses across many industries, so if you’re looking for an entirely new experience, you can do that, too! The variety of courses available can open up exciting new career paths, making returning to work more thrilling than daunting. Click here to discover some courses that may be of interest here.
Tip 3: Finding a Family-Friendly Work Environment
If you are ready to return to the workforce, investigate parent-friendly options. If you want a role in a new organisation, investigate how they accommodate family requirements. You will likely find the 9 am to 5 pm workday you used to easily conquer is now tricky to manage. Find out if there are flexible working arrangements available to you. This could include flexible start and finish times and part-time, casual, or contract work to help you balance both worlds. A family-friendly work environment is not just a perk, it’s a necessity for many parents.
Tip 4: Updating Your Resume
If you are seeking work in a new organisation, chances are you haven’t updated your resume since your last job. When updating your resume, focus on any new skills or experience you have acquired, including a good summary of what you achieved in your last role. Also, contact your previous employer for a referral and even a few friendly pointers on returning to the workforce.
Tip 5: Updating Your Industry Knowledge
You’ve probably been out of the game for a while, so updating yourself on your industry is crucial. Whether you work in IT, business, hospitality, retail, finance or childcare, understanding what’s changed in your field is essential to re-entering the workforce. Contact past colleagues and peers, asking them to share any key updates or changes that you should know about and to read up on industry news.
Tip 6: Interview Preparation
Interview questions can be tough to answer if you still need to do your research! It only takes a little research to make the interview process less stressful. Do a thorough internet search on the company, and you have company information at your fingertips within seconds. Research the company values and jot down ideas to align them. Remember, many people have the skill set to do the same work as you. The distinguisher can be your cultural fit to the organisation. Ensure you know why you want to work at the company and share the value you will bring to their organisation.
Overall, the more prepared you are, the smoother your transition will be – and remember, it’s always a balancing act!
Study a course with Insight Training to get you started in the career of your dreams. Call to speak with a Course Advisor on 1300 046 744 today.
