Going Back to Work: Where to Start

We have all been there. Some of us, still there.

You need a roof over your head, you need to eat and, indeed, those bills are piling up. Why are you unemployed, again? It could be involuntary (termination, lay-off, end of contract) or voluntary (resignation, leave, lack of opportunities otherwise). What ever the reason may be, fret not. In this digital age, there are more than a few ways to get back in the scene and take charge of your life again.

The daunting task of looking for work again can not only be challenging, but stressful, disheartening, frustrating and depressing altogether. Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness can overcome your drive to succeed. However, Remembering that you are the only one in charge of your destiny should motivate and dominate your mindset completely.

With the following tips, you're sure to gain valuable knowledge and regain confidence in your abilities.

1. Update your Résumé, Cover Letter

• First and foremost, get this done. Your Résumé is the first thing employers will be looking at. Not suggesting that this is the be-all and end-all, but it surely is the first piece of evidence you exist.
• Add the essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities you've picked up over the year(s) of employment. Include both: 
• hard skills: physical (ability to perform specific tasks) and technical (Software and etc.) skill sets
• soft skills: ability to interact emotionally and effectively with people - customer service, teamwork, presentation and interpersonal skills
• feel free to search for résumés online to get an idea of what a successful one in your field looks like - do not copy verbatim
• Have a friend or someone proficient in writing/editing to revise your document(s). Hiring a professional to assist with this task will be heavily useful. Recruiters, Career Placement Resource Centers are all available for this job. Use them!
• Remember: a great Cover Letter speaks volumes. For every job you apply, be sure to tailor your Cover Letter to highlight skills relevant to the job and organization. You have 2-3 paragraphs to make an impression, make that impression a good one. #resume #coverletter #hardskills #softskills

2. Apply for Jobs

• Basically, this should be the #1 focus of your free time. That's a no-brainer. Unemployed involuntarily? Of course, you'll be looking to get back in the job market. This time, pay attention to 2-year, 5-year, 10-year plans. Do you see yourself growing with XYZ Company? Room for growth? Looking to get your feet warm? Think about it.
• Make sure your goals align with what the Employer will be seeking. The disparity will only make the search tougher for you.

• Where can you look for jobs?
• Search by Company: know where you will be residing for the next couple of weeks/months? Great! Survey your city, find out which companies have presence near you and approach them.
• create specific Job Alerts with the Company Websites to send you notifications to your email when any position of interest opens up #timesaver
• Tap your Resources: feeling like the only one left unemployed within your circle? Excellent! Majority of your friends/acquaintances are probably working for some company. Send everyone you know, who can vouch for your work ethics and ambition, your Résumé and Cover Letter. They'll likely to share it with an HR representative or Hiring Manager who may find something suitable for you. And, Referral Bonuses can't hurt your friends either! #referrals
• Linkedin would be one of those websites where one can easily figure out their connections and nudge them to refer or introduce to other meaningful contacts
• Job Boards: subscribe to any and every legitimate Job Search website available. These days, you'll find endless resources when it comes to online Recruitment. My favourite (US-based), so far: 
• Indeed.com
• Craigslist
• LinkedIn
• Job/Career Fairs: attend these to get quick face-to-face time with employers and recruiters
• #jobs #linkedin #indeed #craigslist #goals #recruitment

3. Interview

• Interviewing is an art. Some people are born charismatics when it comes to woo-ing recruiters. If you're anything like me, you're hyperventilating the entire journey there and hoping Tommy Lee and Will Smith show up with the memory eraser when you get home. Yes, interviewing is stressful, but you really just need to be informed, honest and above all, confident.

• Set up Mock or Informational Interviews if you feel you need to practice before going public. Both useful in terms of getting used to the question-answer-question-answer ordeal.
• Be informed: ignorance is not bliss! Make sure you read up and study your company's History, Mission, Vision and Values. I'll give you an example. I recently interviewed at a successful, non-profit organization. The HR Director was going through a list of the usual screening questions and threw a curve ball right at the end...

Question: What are your weaknesses?

Answered: I work too hard. I care too much.

Question: What are your strengths?

Answered: Funny you should ask, my weaknesses just so happen to be my strengths. 

-- Do not expect to receive anything, but an eye-roll with those type of pretentious answers -- 

Last Question: Do you know what our Organization's Mission is?

Answered: *stumbled for a second, gathered thoughts quickly* "Yes I do. Your mission here is XYZ..."

Hiring Manager: "Congratulations! Out of all the candidates, you are by far the only one to have answered that correctly. I am very impressed. You move on to the next phase of interviewing."

• In short, do your research. The Employer(s) will be pleased to learn that you, the candidate, are well informed about their Company and what they do on a short- and long-term basis. It is a positive indication to how much a candidate wants to be part of- and how well one might fit their team.

4. Volunteer

• "Free labour? We don't care for it." - said, no one ever.
• A lot of people recommend this as a great way to liaise between work and unemployment. And I, too, endorse the idea. A range of companies will allow you to work for them, pro bono, which will only be to your advantage. Excellent way to keep updated with the latest and growing competitive nature of the workforce. You'll make lasting connections, add to that list of Professional References and keep yourself stimulated on a daily basis. You'll even get to hear about the latest job openings while you're there. And chances are, if you make a lasting impression, you might even be considered for the job(s)! 
• Work for free - volunteering, unpaid internships, job shadowing and etc. The last thing you need is to be on an employment hiatus with nothing to show for the gap. Exhibit A, points to self. #volunteer #probono

5. Support a Healthy Lifestyle

• Whoever said it was going to be easy sitting on that couch, watching TV, watching your life go by, had it all wrong. Put down that Family Sized bag of Potato Chips, put down that remote and replace that 6-pack on the counter with one you can be proud of under that crisp shirt.
• With the endless amount of excuses during the work week, there are no such alibis left anymore. This is the best time to create a happier, healthier you. I knew a man who, while unemployed, decided to join a group of mountain bikers. Everyday was a routine of gearing up, meeting the group at a set time and place and using the day productively. It was a mini-organization all on its own with the sole purpose of Keeping Busy, Keeping Healthy. Lo and behold! More networking opportunities, increased interaction and stimulation. End result? Full-time employment! True story.

• Moral: do NOT use free time as an excuse to pig out and feel lethargic. A stable, healthy diet and nutrition regime will keep your emotional and physical chemical balances in check. An energetic YOU will be a happier YOU, will lead to more stimulated, less frustrated YOU. It's all science. #health #diet #happiness #serotonin #endorphins

6. Go Back to the School

• Ph.D's. Certifications. MBA's. Technical Programs. When you've been out of the work force for as long as I have, you might consider going back to school. If you have the financial resources or are comfortable with investing in further studies, this is an excellent way to make oneself relevant again. Not only is school going to keep you busy, but it will keep your conversations and interactions stimulated, as well. You are an average of the company you keep. Being around ambitious, talented individuals will motivate you and allow you to practice a range of creative, presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Schooling will train you for, hopefully, the competitive market when you're out there again. So this is never a bad idea, trust it. If your School has a successful Placement Program, chances are they will help you with your pursuit while you're on this path.
• The best way to remain competitive is to make sure you're gaining the necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities to help you succeed. While you're not tied down with commitments otherwise, consider going back to school seriously. It's a win-win. #school #winwin

7. Come up with a Lucrative Business Idea

• This is the time to be creative. Working for an organization, under corporate luxury, being used to a calculated paycheque are all signs of a comfortable, predictable lifestyle. Usually a sign of stability, but why not tap the Entrepreneur within you? There are numerous brilliant ideas out there that have not yet "Been There, Done That." Whether or not you decide to execute your business plan, come up with one! You'll be surprised with how much you'll learn just from research and surveying alone. 
• Be an innovator. Great way to keep the mind and body engaged. #entrepreneur #business #innovate

Fact is, it's never easy being out of work and trying to get back in. The trick is to remain positive, keep adamant and stay focused on the goal. The more you try, the better you get - especially true when it comes to interviewing! By registering yourself with various Job Boards and subscribing to Job Alerts, you'll be the first to know when there's an opening in your capacity and interest. Maximize your visibility by networking and reaching out to friends, family and previous colleagues. You never know who ends up helping you out! Keep updated with the latest news and happenings in the work force and in your Industry - read, be part of healthy discussions and keep up with the news.

You are the best, most reliable investment you can count on. Make use of all your resources, you're sure to succeed. Go get 'em!