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Showing posts from 2017

It's the holidays and workplaces have slowed down, what can you do to boost your job search?

It's nearing year end and the holidays are around the corner -in the back of your mind is the nagging question -what should I be doing to move my job search forward? Keep it simple as there are many competing demands this time of year. Family, friend, neighborhood and work parties all present opportunities to talk about your job search and the work you might be doing to refresh your skills.  It's a great time to try the new short elevator pitch you have been thinking about.  Or talk to a friend of friend about the steps you have taken to be ready to be back at work. Alison Doyle at thebalance.com shares some holiday networking tips here . Follow and subscribe to online blogs, twitter feeds, Linkedin and Facebook groups to learn more about industries,  jobs, executives and companies. Information helps you be ready for that one opportunity you are looking for.  Better yet,  Click here  to subscribe to our blog. We know you have worked at getting your skills up to speed,

Office Technology -somethings remain the same while some of it seems so new

Are you wondering if your technology skills are up to date? While out of the workforce we have used technology at home or in our volunteer and part-time roles. Many of us have learned to use the software and apps our children are using to communicate. How do we ensure our technology skills are up to date and even if they are up to date do we know how to use the software used by our new or potential employer. With two young adults in our house I have learned to use google calendar to share our schedules, email, text, snapchat, share stories on instagram, tweet, use Messenger & Facebook; I can even have an emoji only conversation.  If you haven't tried this technology don't be fearful of it. Download the apps, put your settings on private (for now?) and give it a try! But how does this translate to the office? Think about the software you have used before, are those skills up-to-date? Have you heard about Tableau or cloud based programs such as Slack, Asana and Trello. A

The Dreaded Question...What Do You Want To Do?

You have decided to return to the workforce and are checking off the boxes for the many to-do items like resume, references, networking, elevator pitch, technology skill refreshing, social media presence, etc. You are getting better at telling people you are looking for a job. Then comes the dreaded question, "What do you want to do?" Maybe you are one of the lucky ones with a specialized background in law or accounting, for example, and you want to return to that arena. Although there is still work to do, at least the focus is narrow. On the other hand, if you are like so many others without a specialized background or clear path, the "what do you want to do" question is often followed by a long pause. You have the elevator pitch on your skills, background, and the type of position you are looking for. BUT, can you really answer that question honestly? Perhaps now is the time to pause and reflect on what it is you really want to do for your career. If you

Just Keep Swimming, Just Keep Swimming....

I was talking with some fellow women returners, well not really talking more like corresponding. We were messaging each other. Frustration with the lack of progress in finding a job was one of our topics. Something we certainly can all relate to. It got me thinking about a previous post  Never Give Up! How to Keep a Positive Attitude . It's so hard to remain optimistic when you have spent months, maybe even years, trying to re-enter the paid workforce in a position comparable to where you were when you left. Frustration takes hold and your self-confidence plummets. Your inner roommate fills your mind with self-doubt and unhelpfull thoughts that what you are doing is a waste of time.   Look, there is no easy recipe to staying optimistic when your streak of rejection stretches into months or even years. No amount of "keep your chin up" from well meaning family and friends is going to make you feel better. You need to change your thought patterns. This isn't about

How did we get here? Now that we have a blog, what's our look?

We talked, laughed and shared ideas for weeks and months. It was time to put all this discussion to work not only for us but for other women.  We were women supporting, trusting, engaging, and challenging each other. As we chatted, Susan said, we need a blog!

reacHIRE

One resource that all of us connected to this blog have used is a company called  reacHIRE . They help women who have taken a break get back to the paid workforce.

Looking Beyond Ourselves

Asking for help can be one of the most difficult BUT one of the most essential activities  "returners" should do when looking for a job.

Turning What You have Done into What You Will Do

Advise, advise, advise... There are more articles and posts to read online about interviewing than you or I have time available to read.

Never Give Up! How to Keep a Positive Attitude

Ouch !  Rejection hurts. No-one ever likes to hear the words "You aren't the one." However, rejection is a regular and normal part of the job search process.

Yikes -I have an interview

Yikes –I have an interview!  Now what... The last few months have been filled with activities to get that first interview. I have put myself out there to network, defined my “brand” and come up with versions of my “elevator pitch”, updated my Linkedin profile and much more.   My networking and resume have  attracted attention ; I have struck gold so to speak and now I have an interview. Yikes, I better get ready. What do I do first? For me it was easiest to research the company and the people who would interview me.   As we have said in other posts, technology helps.   Google searches on the company, similar jobs, the people I will meet was informative reading material.  Conversations with folks in my network helped me form a picture of what it would be like in this role at this company.   I learned what I could about the culture, the marketplace, the salaries, what others thought of or said about the company and so much more. Now it was time to blend my skills and experienc

Health and Wellness Tips

Going back to w ork can be a stressful time for you and your family.   Many of us don’t think about keeping our mind and body healthy as an important part of the job search process.   But it is!         

Taking the First Step-So now you have decided to go back to work

I have admitted to myself that I want to go back  to work. That wasn't too difficult, but I imagine it will be more difficult to say it out loud to others, but for now what can I do?  These are some of the steps we have taken or wish we had taken to get moving. We will  talk  in more detail about these and other topics in later blog posts, but for those of you who are looking for a roadmap, here are a few first steps to take.   Network: think about your family, friends, volunteer peers, and sideline parents as your network beyond former work colleagues. You'd be surprised  how many folks will be willing to introduce you to someone you want to meet. Try to open as many doors as possible.   It’s a technical world:  let technology be your assistant - use Google searches, Linkedin, and websites such as Indeed.com or Glassdoor.com to help you to do research, look for job openings, and make connections. When reviewing or looking at these sites, look for current terminolog

Being a "Returner"

You took a break from the corporate  world  to raise kids, take care of a loved one, or any number of reasons and now you want to return to work.  How do you turn the thought into reality?  Start by saying it out loud, "I want to go back to work."