5 Key Parts of Your Return to Work After a Long Break

5 Key Parts of Your Return to Work After a Long Break5 Key Parts of Your Return to Work After a Long BreakReady to return to work after a long break out of the job market after raising kids or a similarly lengthy absence? Dont let the prospect overwhelm you. Gather your confidence (and a new interview outfit) and let the following five important steps set you up for success.Here are five tips to help you return to work after a long break or lengthy absence 1. Determine what you want out of your career.Before setting sights on picking up your career where it left off, be sure such an action fits your current objectives. Personal goals and priorities may have shifted during your time away. Maybe traveling for work no longer fits your lifestyle, or perhaps companies offering flex work look more attractive now than in the past. Even your interests or perceptions of meaningful work may be different than when you left, so honestly evaluate whether a tweak or a complete career change might be in order. 2. Evaluate your skills.Whether returning to your same industry or contemplating a new one, take stock of what you have to offer employers right now. While education and past experiences certainly shape your candidacy, you cant rely solely on past accomplishments. Examine relevant job ads and talk to people in your field to see what hiring managers find attractive. Update qualifications through classes or new certifications as necessary to improve marketability.3. Revamp your resume.Dont expect simply to dust off your old resume and be ready to go. Besides spending time creating an error-free, attention-grabbing document, be aware of the need to make what you submit compatible with applicant tracking systems (ATS). Using appropriate keywords and formats can be vital to getting a resume past an automated scanner and looked at by human eyes.4. Create a positive online presence.Recruiters and potential employers undoubtedly will try to learn more about you through social m edia and other online sources, so let them discover something great. Develop your reputation through guest blogs, thoughtful contributions to groups, and perhaps your own website. Lizandra Vega, author ofThe Image of Successand blogger atThe Career Confidante, suggests creating a LinkedIn profile that aligns with your resume and includes a profile photo without your kids or significant other. Employers are not legally allowed to ask about status, so displaying this on your profile is opening yourself up for discrimination. Clients can make inferences such as maybe you cant stay late because you have to take care of children or maybe you dont need to work too hard because youre in a dual-income household. Keep your profile professional and clean.Also, search on your name to see what else might be discovered. If results prove questionable, such as yielding what you thought were private pictures from your beach vacation, adjust privacy settings or see about getting things removed.5. Ma ke networking a priority.Finally, dont be shy about letting others know youre back on the job market. Start with past coworkers and other professional connections, but also bring up the subject with friends, neighbors, and acquaintances from volunteer work and social groups. And if you find your network lacking, seek new opportunities, such as attending an industry conference or going to your alma maters Homecoming celebration. You never know who might have a viable leadGet more tips straight to your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter You may unsubscribe at any time.Readers, are you looking to return to work after a long break? Have you recently done so? What challenges or tips would you share with others in a similar situation? Let us know below