Shifting out of the workforce is a normal affair. It may be due to raising your children, a serious illness, caregiving for a loved one, or managing a household. While taking a break from the workplace-related commitments and reentering the professional field again is a normal affair, one may wonder if he/she still have the skills to compete in today’s job market or if anyone will value the person’s industry experience after such a long break.
We have tech companies supporting diverse hiring practices through programmes like returnships (internships for experienced professionals reentering the workforce).
Healthcare ventures are also providing reentry training programmes for industry professionals, keeping in mind the experiences they bring in clinical and administrative roles.
Schools and educational organisations often seek individuals with life experience to enrich their programmes, whether as teachers, administrators, or support staff.
Banks and financial institutions also value the analytical and interpersonal skills that many returning professionals bring to roles in risk management, client relations, and beyond. Even entrepreneurship (business and consultancy services) is serving as a potent reentry route for industry veterans.
With the explosion of content-driven marketing and media, there is a strong demand for writers and editors. Professionals with sharp communication skills can find freelance or full-time roles in publishing, corporate communications, or digital media.
Reframe the narrative
Before you plan your industry comeback, think deeply about your past experiences and accomplishments, and acknowledge that they are equally important as those listed on a conventional resume. Once you return to your personal life, it should be more about you adding value and quality to the organisation’s work output.
Think about this: your role as mother or caregiver has gifted you abilities like multitasking, time management, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence. Even though you were not in a professional environment, you have been coordinating schedules, budgeting for a household, or advocating for a loved one’s needs, and in the process, cultivating abilities that transfer seamlessly into professional settings.
The 21st-century employers are increasingly recognising these diverse experiences. They are looking for people who can think critically, work under pressure, and bring fresh perspectives. Your time outside the workforce has not diminished your value, but enhanced it. Using that, reframe your narrative and highlight these skills confidently, while exploring new opportunities. Negotiation, advocacy, budgeting, and time management are all useful and transferable skills that differentiate an excellent professional from a routine worker.
Seizing the opportunity for flexible work
In the post-COVID professional world, we have concepts like remote work and flexible schedules. Businesses have embraced hybrid models, allowing employees to contribute without adhering to a strict 9-to-5 schedule. This shift can be a game-changer for professionals who need flexibility or prefer working from home.
You can explore roles in a variety of fields, from project management to customer service to creative industries. Identify positions that align with your strengths and preferences. Whether you are seeking full-time, part-time, or freelance opportunities, there are bosses out there to cater for your diverse needs and lifestyles.
Overcome barriers in a smart manner
Technology and industry practices evolve quickly, and it’s natural to feel out of touch. Take online courses, attend workshops (physical or virtual) to brush up on skills relevant to your desired field. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning are offering affordable and flexible options to help you get up to speed. Don’t forget that many opportunities come from connections.
Reconnect with former colleagues (and mentors), attend industry events, and join online groups or forums in your field. LinkedIn has become a powerful networking tool for this. Use it to build and maintain professional relationships, showcase your skills, and engage with content in your industry. Remember, there are people ready to help you navigate your return to the workforce.
Your reentry can also start with a small role in a large organisation. You can ease back into a corporate culture and environment while learning the lingo, developing computer skills, and expanding your network. Such positions can build your confidence and help you decide if the traditional corporate world is what you want. Over time, these stepping-stone roles will lead to more significant opportunities within the organisation.
Stay-at-home roles: Great skill enhancer
A stay-at-home parent basically operates as the CEO of the household enterprise, managing multiple departments with adaptability. Like a chief financial officer, the person oversees the family budget, tracking expenses and making strategic decisions about resource allocation. Their human resources’ role involves mediating conflicts between siblings and other family members, providing performance feedback on chores and homework, and maintaining high household morale.
As the operations manager, such individuals coordinate the complex logistics of school schedules, extracurricular activities, and medical appointments while ensuring smooth daily functions. They serve as facilities manager, overseeing household maintenance and cleanliness standards, while simultaneously acting as head of food services, planning and executing meals that meet diverse dietary needs and preferences.
Their marketing and communications position requires them to maintain relationships with teachers, other parents, and community members, while their risk management role involves childproofing, emergency preparedness, and ensuring family safety protocols are followed. All these skills come in handy when they reenter the industry.