Searching for a new job takes a lot of preparation. It’s important to give yourself some time and space to find direction, prepare your pitch, and seek out a job that you will love.
It’s easy to get distracted by the endless list of chores around the house, so I recommend that CareerSmart Mums find a dedicated timeslot when they work on their career planning and search. It can be helpful to also find a space away from the hustle and bustle of home – your local library can be perfect!
Here’s my top five things you can do to get organised for your return to work.
1. Prepare a master resume
A master resume is basically one that includes all of your skills, attributes, career summary statements, achievements, referees etc, that you can draw upon when writing a resume for a specific role. By preparing a master resume, you can adjust and tailor your content to suit each individual job application you make. This strategy allows you to stand out more because the reader will easily see the link between you and the target role.
2. Create a network map
A key way that you can find jobs and training opportunities, mentors and advice is through your existing network. Writing down and mapping your networks can help you identify people who may be able to support your job search.
3. Prepare an elevator pitch
It’s so important to be able to clearly articulate what it is that you can offer a prospective employer, and where you are headed. An ‘elevator pitch’ is a one to two sentence rundown that will sum up your key skills and highlight what defines you as an amazing employee. A well thought-out elevator pitch can make or break your next interview, so it pays to put some time into making it work for you.
4. Establish an effective digital profile
Employers are just as likely to look at your Linked-In profile as they are to look at the job application you’ve submitted. Put the work in to ensure that you have a powerful online profile. Include a professional photo, hone your text, and set up effective networks. Take the time to understand what other on-line tools employers in your industry are using to search for prospective employees and set up a comprehensive digital profile that will help them to find you.
5. Make a household management plan
Don’t forget your day job! Take a look at how you currently spend your time, and how you can plan to re-distribute those tasks once you go back to paid work. If you do happen to get a job quickly, you’ll be prepared for all contingencies!
As the old saying goes, “failing to plan is planning to fail”. So when you are ready to return to a career that you love or even your ‘for now’ job, make sure you give yourself the time you need to put in the groundwork and get organised beforehand.