Finding your way back to work

Finding your way back to work

Returning to work after a long break can be a terrifying prospect. The fear of entering a new workplace, meeting new people and performing well enough to deserve the salary makes most of us uneasy. For those who’ve been out of work for some time, an additional and potentially crippling set of anxieties will stand in the way.

Redundancy. Redundancy can be a traumatic life event. Do not underestimate the impact losing a job can have on your confidence and self-esteem.

Maternity leave or time off to care for relatives.
The workplace can be a daunting place if you’ve become used to the familiarity of your own home. You might feel very far removed from a business environment and that your experience and skills are now out of date or irrelevant to jobs today.

Long term sickness. Again, you’ll probably feel your skills are no longer applicable. You may lack the daily structure and discipline a regular job affords. It could also be that you need to overcome a lack of motivation.

If you’re keen to get back into work but your confidence has been shaken, here’s some advice to help you on the way.

Life skills are work skills, too

While out of work you’ll have developed skills that have real value to an employer. For example, if you’ve taken time out to bring up a family you deserve credit for balancing family responsibilities, managing the household budget and organising everyone’s diary. Employers rate these ‘soft’ skills (initiative, adaptability, organisation) very highly. Ask family and friends what they think you’ve got to offer an employer if you aren’t sure.

Don’t go it alone

You’ll find the whole process much easier if you seek support from friends and family. It’s also a good idea to talk to people who are going through what you are. Jenny Daisley, chief executive of Springboard Consultancy, suggests starting up or joining a local network – with so many online social networking opportunities now out these, this is easier than ever.

Another avenue is the Find your way back to work Jobcentre Plus initiative which offers great advice and support, both online and face to face, to those who have been out of work for some time.

Get your CV up to scratch

If your CV hasn’t been touched since you last found a job, it’s going to need some work. Visit our CV and applications section for tips on creating the perfect CV and a handy CV checker.

Update your skills

If you’ve been out of work for some time it may be necessary to refresh your skills. Talk to ex-colleagues to find out how your old sector has moved on and what new skills you’ll need.

Make a fresh start

If you weren’t happy with what you were doing before, treat this as a fresh start. Think long and hard and carry out plenty of research before making a commitment to a new career path. Pop into your local Jobcentre for guidance on courses to help you achieve your goal.

Get back into the work habit

Get used to working with other people and at someone else’s pace again. Voluntary work, whether it’s helping out at a school, charity or church, will get you back in the habit of being at a certain place at a certain time. Experts who work with the long-term unemployed often say the most essential skill for getting back into work, and keeping a job, is the discipline of setting an alarm clock.

Get networking

Never undervalue the power of talk. Forget waiting patientily for job vacancies to come up – networking is the best way to find a job. If you have contacts in the sector you would like to work in, approach them for advice. You may think you don’t know anyone useful but put the word out to family, friends, ex-colleagues and acquaintances – you could be surprised by the doors that open.

Believe in yourself

It’s easy to doubt yourself and lose momentum. But remember, every time you speak to a new contact, fill in an application form or research opportunities in your local area, you’re heading in the right direction. Believe in yourself and you will succeed.