Everyone has a duration in their life where they have to take a career gap due to various personal reasons. Women specifically have to deal with career breaks due to maternity leaves, mostly taken for 6 months or more as taking care of a child and self-health care is not less than a full-time job for at least that period. Apart from that, any personal emergencies and responsibilities that can’t be avoided result in a career gap.
But this gap brings a burden as an employee or an entrepreneur. Specifically, in this fast and agile world, technology changes rapidly and so as the work ecosystem changes. Work process may change, the work, the team and also the leadership you were productive with may change and that brings new challenges for you.
We have 5 tips for every woman restarting career after a break.
1. Update Your Domain Knowledge
Women who want to continue with their last career or job should constantly read, learn and be aware of the happenings in that domain. This makes it easier for you to boost the confidence that you can overcome process, technology, and skills barriers and at least helps you be well informed about the decisions you will make for re-starting the career.
Women who want to switch careers and enter a different domain can start researching and learning about it and develop the relevant skills that are market relevant. Some companies are willing to employ people with different past careers but with new skills. Because learners are always agile and the new technology world always welcomes such talent.
2. Learn Relevant Skills
Once you have decided to relaunch your career, make a list of skill sets required to move ahead in the direction of your career. You can see people with different degrees working in different fields successfully only because of interest and their skills over time. Skills are more relevant in today’s agile world because skills are what make you job-ready and industry-relevant.
To learn new skills, register for free online courses, attend webinars, get certifications or work on any part-time projects to build your skills, knowledge and confidence. It will help you overcome your career gap.
3. Build Job Portal Profiles
Job portals are a more efficient and easy way for recruiters to get access to talent. If your profile is updated as per the standard guidelines of the job portals, there are good chances of your profile being shortlisted. Keep your profile updated with relevant skills and competencies and start applying for jobs that match your interests and profile. We can informally say that getting a job is actually like getting sales leads. So update the resume’, the job portal profiles and keep applying.
Note: Only sign up on trusted job portals and be aware of spam and fake job listings.
4. Work on LinkedIn Networking
Update your LinkedIn profile. Think of it as your online resume that can get you a job directly without any long job hunting processes. Start posting about your knowledge and work on LinkedIn. It helps you get exposure to a very large career community and build a personal brand and helps you network with the right people to get good references. Even if you are an entrepreneur, Linkedin is the best platform to network, get leads, showcase talent and grow your business. Apart from job hunting, it helps you be updated with industry news, company news and so on.
5. Do What You Love
In the world of herd mentality, where every person runs behind what everyone does, choose what you like and what fits you the best. Returning to work after a Career gap is a new opportunity that gives you a chance to get out of your comfort zone and accept new challenges that you would like to take. If you want to switch careers, build your skills, unlearn and learn. If you want to start a new entrepreneurial venture, start investing your knowledge and time in it.
So, accept new challenges, learn what it needs and be a leader in your career. Shenzyn is an exclusive platform for the diverse workforce to find the most suitable opportunities and prepare themselves to advance their career faster. Register with us to amplify your career opportunities.
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