Have you been out of work for a while and want to get back to it? The world has been a very different place since COVID-19 made its mark. Some aspects of the corporate world have shifted, companies are more open to hiring for potential, and career gaps aren’t the red flag they once were. But starting back after time off can feel daunting, and it’s okay to have nerves before your first day. Here is our advice to prepare you for your first day back.
Get Back on Schedule
The best thing you can do to prepare for a return to work is to get back to a regular schedule. If you’ve been in a position where you don’t have to worry about when to wake up, you want to reacclimate yourself to getting up early. If you wait until you have a job, it will be harder to make this change. Set your alarm five minutes earlier every day until getting up on a traditional schedule is second nature.
Brush up on Skills
It can also help if you to brush up on your skills. Review what you’ve done in the past and make sure you understand any changes that have affected the industry. Take a self-assessment of your soft skills such as organization, time management, and communication. Read everything you can about your industry and the current trends in the workplace.
Refresh Your Resume and LinkedIn
Your resume is your chance to make an excellent first impression. Review it and change anything that needs to be updated. Focus on your accomplishments rather than your experience, especially with a long gap in your employment. Update your LinkedIn and complete your profile. Make yourself searchable by recruiters and employers.
Network
Networking is still one of the most tried and true ways of landing a job. Let everyone know you’re looking. Connect with people in your industry or community. Use social media to follow your ideal companies and interact with these brands. Apply with a staffing agency to help you get the word out about your experience and background.
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