Many individuals leave the workforce for a period of time for one reason or another. It is always scary, especially if you have an established career. There are, however, steps that you can take while you are out to prepare for re-entry. And many of the items can be fun, rewarding and can keep you intellectually stimulated. I am not suggesting that you do ALL of the things on the list. Just pick one or two – do what you can. Whatever has taken you out of the labor market is probably already keeping you very busy!
~ Continue memberships in one or more professional organizations
~ Stay up on any reading that you receive through these organizations. If you only have time to skim the articles or headlines don’t worry! At least you will have a general sense of what the hot topics are and will get a feel for general new trends.
~ If you can, attend some of the lunches or other events sponsored by the professional organizations to maintain a network. You can also add some of these activities to a resume to fill in holes.
~ If you have time, do some freelance work. There are many websites out there now that make it very easy to find projects in your field – and most can be done at home. Check our listing of sites at http://www.womans-work.com/freelance_jobs.htm
~ Attend some workshops or seminars
~ Keep any licensure or certifications current – it is usually easier to maintain them than it is re-certify.
~ Do some volunteer work
~ Surf the net. Find some sites geared toward your profession. Join the site and/or sign up for any newsletters. Take advantage of the content and peruse any discussion boards.
~ Stay up on any new technology
~ Have lunch with former co-workers or colleagues on occasion or just drop them a quick e-mail to say hi. It will be helpful to have established contacts when you decide to return.
~ Start a website. Provide expert advice from your field. Write good content for your pages and start a newsletter.
~ Write articles for e-zines. There are thousands to choose from! Send an e-mail with your article idea. Most e-zine publishers are very happy to find good content.
~ Keep your resume up to date. If you attend a seminar or do some volunteer work add it!
Will You Be Re-Entering The Workforce? Start Preparing While You are Out - To learn more about this author, visit Kirsten Ross's Website.
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Kirsten Ross
(Visit Kirsten's Website)
Kirsten Ross has been interviewed as an
expert of flexible work and life balance
on NBC Nightly News, Fox 2 News, National
Public Radio and for publications such as
Working Mother Magazine, Going Back to
Work; A Survival Guide for Comeback Moms,
The Entrepreneurial Parent, and more than
200 others. She has a Masters degree in
Human Resource Management, is a Certified
Senior HR Professional and is a Leadership
and Life Coach. She founded her company,
Womans-Work, LLC in 1999. She has helped
countless professionals achieve work-life
balance and is on a mission to help
organizations improve their
family-friendly status.
As a leadership coach and owner of Focus
Forward Coaching she takes her work to the
next level helping leaders and
entrepreneurs remove the thought patterns,
fears, behaviors and beliefs that stand as
barriers to achieving the life and work
that they desire. Creating a life of
conscious choice and rocking relationships
are keys to living a balanced and
fulfilling life. Visit Kirsten’s coaching
site:
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For years, career women have heard that it’s fine for them to quit their jobs in order to become stay-at-home moms. They’re told that it’s the best thing for their children and eventually they can make their way bac...
