If you’ve been out of the workforce for a while, the idea of returning maybe be intimidating. Technological advancement and social changes have revolutionized the workplace in many ways. The longer you’ve spent away from your career, the more challenging a return to the workforce may seem.

It is possible to return to the workforce successfully and smoothly. Let’s look at some tips and advice for reentering the workforce.

Get Back in the Game

When you’re ready to return to work, begin by reacquainting yourself with your industry and analyzing the current job market. If you’ve been out for a while, no doubt a lot has changed. Taking time to research your industry and how you’ll fit in with your current skills and history is essential.

Speaking of history, your professional information will need a makeover. Your resume, especially, will need to be reviewed and redesigned. A gap in your employment history can raise eyebrows and questions. Still, with some revision to downplay the gap and focus on your skills and experience regarding rising job opportunities, your resume will speak well for you.

Networking

Getting back in the employment game also means networking. Reach out to former colleagues and bosses and pay close attention to your professional networking sites like LinkedIn. Let them know you’re transitioning back into the workforce. Not only can coffee with your former co-workers be an enjoyable afternoon, but it can also provide valuable information about current hiring initiatives, changes in the industry, and company news.

Get a Skills Upgrade

Time has passed since you were last on the job, and your skills may differ from those you need to compete in an intense job market. Before you begin your job search, evaluate your hard and soft skills and see what areas to improve. In some cases, you may even need to develop new skills, especially if your profession is more tech-dependent now or if you are considering transitioning to an entirely new career in a different industry.

Review some job postings for positions in your profession and compare your skills and knowledge with the qualifications they list. You will quickly see what skills keep coming up are skills you need to improve and develop.

Bridge the Professional Gap

Another great way to bridge the work gap on your resume and hone your job skills is to take on freelance, contract, or temporary work. Many companies are open to short-term workers, especially when they have large projects or programs they need help with. Short-term work may also develop into a full-time position down the road.

Beacon Staffing can help you return to the workforce by finding a job you’ll love – browse our open roles to get started!