Professional Moms: How to Get Ready to Re-Enter the Workforce
Finally! Your youngest is in school and you are ready to hit the job market after an extended absence. As you scrape the last of the Fruit Loops from the kitchen table, you ponder a few unfortunate truths:
? Your network has gone stale
? Your industry contacts have moved on
? You are not in the loop anymore.
Face the facts: you are at a disadvantage compared to those who have been in the job market continuously. You need a winning job search methodology to jump-start your career. Most job seekers use only one or two methods to cover the marketplace, and miss 75% of available opportunities. In order to get maximum exposure you will need to use multiple job search methods simultaneously. Let's get started!
First, assess what you have to offer. Take a personal inventory of your:
? Knowledge
? Skills
? Accomplishments
If you can't think of many accomplishments, ask those around you to give you feedback on your talents and abilities. Often those close to us are more aware of what we have to offer than we ourselves are. When you have completed your skill and accomplishment review, use the results to write a compelling resume that clearly shows your value to a potential employer.
If you have been out of work for a while, you many be wondering if your skills are still relevant. You can burnish your resume by taking on some volunteer work in your area of expertise. Here's a great example. Is your niche public relations? There is bound to be a community group or local non-profit that would really benefit from having a professionally designed newsletter. Or, you could volunteer to serve as a media contact to publicize the organization's events. Is marketing your area of interest? Approach a local school and volunteer to design some marketing materials to promote their programs. Local organizations are hungry for talent. Only your imagination will limit what you can accomplish. While you are volunteering your skills, you will also be gaining exposure in the community, and you are likely to make a few contacts that can help you with your search. Those contacts will make valuable additions to your network.
Think you don't have a network? Think again! Start with any people you know. Here are a few places to start:
? Organizations to which you belong
? Church
? PTA
? Sports leagues
? Voluntary associations
Make a list of everybody you know. Ask those people whether they know anyone who has re-entered the workforce after a long absence. Talking to people who have done what you want to do will increase your confidence that you can do the same.
Now you're moving! Next, you need to start thinking about where you would like to work. Mass mailing your resume is a waste of time and postage. What you need is exposure to the companies that can make the best use of your skills. Identify five of them and research them thoroughly. Decide where you could provide the most value in each company, and identify the decision maker who has the authority to hire you.
Focus on the needs of each company; identify the relevant decision maker; and you position yourself ahead of those who limit themselves to the want ads and the Internet. You may even have an opportunity to create a position around your skills! When you reach a decision maker before an ad is published, you have obtained exposure that most will miss.
Another method of increasing exposure is to search for spot opportunities. Follow the industry news, check company websites, and learn about new initiatives or changes that could affect the business climate. Armed with this knowledge you will appear well-informed to your potential employers.
Informational interviews are another way of targeting areas where your skills might fit! Try approaching someone who is working in a job you think you would like, and ask them how they got their position, and if they could give you some advice on your job search. People will be amazingly helpful, especially when they can identify with you and your situation.
When you have reached this point, your confidence will be increasing daily. By using multiple methods to approach the market, you are being exposed to opportunities that others can only wish for. You are making new contacts, learning more about the needs of companies, and identifying the individuals that have the power to hire you. You are ready to use your knowledge of the company's needs and your inventory of skills, abilities, and accomplishments to demonstrate your value to the organization in an interview.
Sometimes all of this can seem overwhelming. If this is the case for you, you might want to consider hiring a professional to guide you in your search. But remember, you are not the first to be in this position. Others have successfully re-entered the job market after an extended absence, and you can too. Using multiple simultaneous methods to cover the entire market, and reaching decision-makers before an ad is published can be the key to your success no matter how long you have been out of work.
Lynn Green is a Senior Consultant for R.L. Stevens & Associates Inc. http://interviewing.com/ For over 24 years R.L. Stevens & Associates has been the Nation's most successful privately-held firm, specializing in executive career searches generating quality interviews through both advertised and unadvertised channels.
 Google News Updated : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:05:39 GMT Nokia Forecasts Drop in Third-Quarter Market Share (Update1) - Bloomberg
Bloomberg - By Juho Erkheikki Sept. 5 (Bloomberg) -- Nokia Oyj, the world's biggest maker of mobile phones, forecast a drop in third-quarter market share after competitors slashed prices and a new handset was delayed. Nokia Sees Market Share Slipping in Third Quarter Nokia Lowers its Third Quarter 2008 Mobile Device Market Share Outlook Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:50:07 GMT Dell looks to sell factories worldwide - CNNMoney.com
CNNMoney.com - By Scott Moritz Dell (DELL) is getting more serious about trimming costs and is exploring plans to sell its PC manufacturing plants, according to a news report Friday. Dell said to consider sale of factories Ahead of the Bell: Dell may sell plants, WSJ says Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:15:09 GMT PIECING TOGETHER A PLEA How the deal got done - Detroit Free Press
Detroit Free Press - BY JOE SWICKARD • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER • September 5, 2008 Prosecutors rolled Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's plea deal into court Thursday praying the wheels wouldn't fall off. Detroit Mayor Acknowledges 'Poor Judgment' Detroit mayor pleads guilty, to leave office Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:57:24 GMT In Long-Awaited Maps of Cancer, The Breakthrough Is the Problem - Wall Street Journal Wall Street Journal - By GAUTAM NAIK After struggling for years to improve the treatment of cancer, scientists now hope to fight the disease with the help of the same techniques that deciphered the human genome eight years ago: mapping it. What You Need to Know About Mapping the Cancer Genome Data on defective genes make tailored remedies possible Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 04:01:28 GMT Lebanese ruling majority accuses Syria of interfering in Lebanon - Xinhua
Xinhua - BEIRUT, Sept.5 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese ruling majority accused Syrian President Bashar Assad of interfering in Lebanese internal affairs and not recognizing Lebanon's sovereignty, local press Naharnet reported Friday. Video: Sarkozy in Syria : the press is divided Editor's Notes: A losing battle, so far Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:59:29 GMT Lavrov rejects Cheney's attack on Russia - CNN International
CNN International - By CNN's Matthew Chance MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- Russia on Friday rejected sharp criticism by US Vice President Dick Cheney that its intervention in Georgia raises doubts about Moscow's reliability as an international partner. Video: Cheney Slams Russia for War Against Georgia Russia says Cheney fanning Georgian aggression Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:45:40 GMT Reviews of McCain's speech - MSNBC
MSNBC - The AP’s Ron Fournier says McCain “preached bipartisanship and unity from a stage retooled to carry him out to the Republican faithful. McCain: I work for you ‘Change is coming,’ McCain tells GOP in speech Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:35:16 GMT Increased Website Traffic |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... So you've managed to secure a job interview for a... Read More Other than actually landing the interview itself and living through... Read More Municipal and law enforcement officials in Georgia are still calculating... Read More In this day and age it can become increasingly difficult... Read More Your resume is your sales document. It tells the world... Read More Common sense appears to be a rare commodity these days.... Read More Yes I know that we usually think of interviews as... Read More Man is a social animal and survival is his major... Read More "James is so restless and energetic. I wonder if he's... Read More Writing a good resume cover letter is something you should... Read More The subject is constantly in the news and may decide... Read More Learning how to type a resume may feel like a... Read More In the limited time an interviewer has with you, their... Read More The pre-hiring process can be a challenge. If you're reading... Read More Yes, I've Had Gaps In My Employment History--What Can I... Read More I don't know his name and he wasn't trying to... Read More It's a fact: the best jobs attract loads of competition.... Read More Our lives are tranquil and smooth so seldom, it seems.... Read More Get Off the Treadmill - Exit Your Rat Race!We can... Read More 'Fear of rejection' is the major reason why individuals looking... Read More The dreaded job interview is the Number 1 source of... Read More When you go in for a job interview, you're not... Read More The Summary is the preview of your entire resume. This... Read More You probably think you deserve a raise. But does your... Read More Seminars dealing with "special topics" have actually been around for... Read More
Adsense
websites
Seriously Impress at Your Interview With These 7 Hot Tips
After Your Interview - What Must You Do Next?
Preventing The Runaway Candidate
Interview Tips - Ten Top Dos & Donts for Winning Interviews
Resumes OR CV : Get That Job
Age Discrimination is Alive and Unwelcome Here!
Listening for Interview Success
Loving What You Do
Career Planning for Gifted Adults
7 Tips for Writing Winning Resume Cover Letters
Vocational Experts 7 Proposals to Solve the Unemployment Problem
How To Type A Resume For Employers
Interview Questions: How To Stump The Interviewer
Dynamic Interviewing Practices
Yes, Ive Had Gaps In My Employment History--What To Do About It?
Looking the Part
3 Creative Job Search Tactics
Unemployment Blues: Mind Over Mood
Career Job Satisfaction - Get Off the Treadmill - Exit Your Rat Race!
Networking Mistakes and How You Can Avoid Them
Interview Preparation
Job Interviews -- What Your Pre-Interview Research Should Cover
Resume Writing - Importance of a Professional Summary
Tips for Requesting a Raise
Seminars: Why Are They Popular, and What Advantages/Disadvantages Are There to Attending One?
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Stay At Home Moms No Longer Struggling To Make Ends Meet
It is hard to be a stay at home mom.... Read More
Driver Team Solo Positions: The Nitty Gritty On Truck Driving Jobs
Trucks and truck drivers are a constant presence on US... Read More
Think About a Nursing Degree
If you decide to get a degree in nursing, there... Read More
7 Deadly Cover Writing Sins
Don't start off your job search with one (or more)... Read More
The Inevitable Job Interview Question: ?Why Did You Leave (Are Planning To Leave) Your Last Position
This is a question that you can almost count on... Read More
Start Working Before You Get Hired
What if there were a way to *prove* to any... Read More
Hiring Managers: Preventing ?Fall-Off?s? and Counter Offers
"Bill, thanks so much for your assistance with this search.... Read More
Dealing With How Would You...? Questions
I'm always preaching about proper preparation prior to interviews. If... Read More
Resume Success Factors--What Exactly Is A Resume Anyway?
You know you're good...real good. The problem, though, is that... Read More
Get Paid to Shop And Keep Everything You Buy - Without Having to Pay!
Can You Tell Good Service From Bad; Recognise Value For... Read More
5 Steps to a New Job
The economy is picking up, budgets are new, positions are... Read More
Reinvent Yourself in a New Career
Some people reserve the word "vocation" for religious calling. Contemporary... Read More
Telecommuting Resumes
Your resume needs to outline your skills and experience, as... Read More
Career Change - Emotional Intelligence for Knowledge Workers?
Nowadays we can expect to survive the second half of... Read More
Do You Need Help Writing A Winning Cover Letter?
Your cover letter is critical to your success. It sets... Read More
Technology in the Workplace - Boon or Curse?
Like all new innovations, technology in the work environment can... Read More
How to Survive in Business Long Enough to Win
As a former human resources professional it has always intrigued... Read More
The Recruiting Truth...Time Is Not On Your Side
In today's marketplace things are constantly changing and so are... Read More
How to Choose Your Ideal Career
They say that most people do complete and total career... Read More
Speak Up: Your Job Is At Stake!
How good are you at standing up for yourself?Do you... Read More
Work Attitude Ethics For Progress
This "fruit for thought" article is for all human beings,... Read More
Job Interviews -- How to Follow Up Effectively
Getting a job is not just about your performance in... Read More
Ask For That Raise!
For nine years Jeff worked for company G as an... Read More
Ten Great Careers For Single Parents
The challenges of raising a child by yourself, whether you're... Read More
How You Can Find Freelance Writing Employment
How can you find writing jobs? Do you have proven... Read More
Careers, Jobs & Employment |