{"id":48084,"date":"2018-01-16T13:35:06","date_gmt":"2018-01-16T11:35:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.expresspros.co.za\/?p=48084"},"modified":"2024-11-26T08:54:34","modified_gmt":"2024-11-26T06:54:34","slug":"getting-back-job-search-gap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expresspros.co.za\/index.php\/getting-back-job-search-gap\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting Back into the Job Search After a Gap"},"content":{"rendered":"

By: Express Employment Professionals<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

New year, new you.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Maybe you\u2019ve been staying at home taking care of the kids for the past decade. Perhaps you dropped out of the workforce to care for your ailing parents. Whatever the reason, you\u2019ve been out of the workforce for an extended amount of time, and now you\u2019re ready to jump back in.<\/p>\n

But how do you fill that gap on your resume? Although the details will differ depending on the industry you\u2019re trying to rejoin, there are a few things to always keep in mind.<\/p>\n

1. Acknowledge the Gap\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Companies want to hear you tell them why you\u2019re right for the position. They don\u2019t want to hear your reasons for being out of the workforce\u2014as far as the job search is concerned, those are irrelevant excuses. The first step to getting back into the workforce is accepting that you were out of it, and employers are going to notice that. Don\u2019t try to beat around the bush or fill the gap with fluff.<\/p>\n

Having a blank space on your resume is not a negative. It\u2019s an opportunity to do something more.<\/p>\n

2. Revamp Your Accomplishments<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Turn your excuses into accomplishments. Show off who you are as an individual. Why did you get out of the workforce in the first place? What goal were you trying to accomplish? You have achieved that goal, so don\u2019t be afraid to mention it. Tell prospective employers that you have realized that dream (whether it be raising your children, caring for your parents or other relatives, or traveling the world), and now you\u2019re ready to bring all that passion to a new challenge.<\/p>\n

What else were you doing while you were out of the workforce? If you volunteered in any capacity, include it. Even volunteering at your child\u2019s school is something worth noting. If you were in the PTA, put that down, too. Any side projects you worked on are fair game as well.<\/p>\n

3. Have a Plan<\/strong><\/h3>\n

How do you want to portray yourself to employers? Once you\u2019ve decided, use your resume to accomplish it. If you want a job in childcare, use your experience with your own children to show you can do the job. Taking care of your kids is a job after all.<\/p>\n

Think of your gap as a job. What did you do? How many years did you do it for? What were your responsibilities? Apply that methodology to all your accomplishments and your resume will start to take shape.<\/p>\n

Set a timeframe for finding a job and plan the milestones required to get there. What skills does your desired job require? What do you need to do to develop those skills? How long will that take? You need to treat your job search like a job. That means setting goals and following through on those goals.<\/p>\n

4. Be Willing to Learn<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Passion and drive alone aren\u2019t going to get you the job. It\u2019s a competitive job market, so you\u2019ll need to play catch up. Enroll in online classes or check out your nearest CareerTech. You can even enroll in a community college if you have the time. Regardless of method, you need to do something to increase your skillset, and show that you\u2019ve already been doing what it takes to succeed.<\/p>\n

A great way to build experience and learn at the same time is volunteering at your local library. Volunteering gives you something to put on your resume, while the numerous books, programs, and meetings available at the library provide opportunities to learn.<\/p>\n

5. Don\u2019t Compare Yourself to Others<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Above all else, don\u2019t try to equate your accomplishments to those of others. Everyone\u2019s path is different. Just because your friend Sally could be a company vice president and mother of two doesn\u2019t mean that you\u2019re a failure. Your cousin Tom starting a million-dollar tech startup has nothing to do with your own life.<\/p>\n

A prolonged job search can be frustrating, especially after a gap. You\u2019ll be tempted to compare yourself to everyone else and where they are on their career path. Don\u2019t! You don\u2019t know their story, and, to be frank, their story has little to do with yours. Focus on yourself and your own goals. What do you want? What makes you happy?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By: Express Employment Professionals New year, new you. Maybe you\u2019ve been staying at home taking care of the kids for the past decade. Perhaps you dropped out of the workforce to care for your ailing parents. 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