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One of the problems people face when returning to work after a career break,
voluntary work or maternity leave is taking stock of their skill set. It is also
easy to underplay what you might have achieved during your time away from work.
People who spend a period of time outside the world of work can often use that
time to boost their worth to potential employers when they choose to return to the
workplace. The type of activities pursued during a career break - balancing family
responsibilities, negotiating to get children into a particular school or organising
fund-raising events - all require skills which can be transferred on to a CV or
application form.
Employers will often look out for soft skills such as initiative, flexibility,
and teamworking, all of which can be honed outside work.
Top tips on marketing your skills:
- Write a list of everything you've done since leaving your job. Examples
might include balancing family budgets, learning foreign languages,
organising activities for people, or adapting to a new lifestyle.
- Ask someone independently to assess what you've done. Ideally speak
to a consultant, but if that proves difficult approach a friend. Choose
someone who is likely to know your strengths and weaknesses, but who will
help you objectively assess the activities you've been carrying out.
- Speak to other people who have returned to work after time away. Jenny
Daisley, chief executive of
Springboard Consultancy,
suggests starting up or joining a local network, by placing an advertisement
in a local paper and getting like-minded people together for coffee or
other events. Find out how networking can help you.
- Ask someone to assess your CV.
Recruitment agencies or local job centres
can provide this service. Alternatively, there are a number of consultants who
will help you to put together a winning CV, albeit for a price. You'll also find
CV advice in the totaljobs.com guide to writing a CV.
- Look at your results. People in work can look back at projects they have
completed, but someone on a career break might think they haven't achieved much.
Think about big projects you have handled. Moving house, for example, involves
organisational and negotiating skills. Travelling in other countries requires a
resourcefulness and flexibility, and is great at sharpening your people skills.
The key is to look at your time away from work as a valuable experience. Don't
underestimate what you might have achieved. Instead, take stock of what you've done,
and use these achievements to sell yourself to recruiters.
Do you need to update your skills?
How can you use your transferable skills?
Search for jobs with totaljobs.com.
More on returning to work. |
