Divorced and out of work...now what?

It's hard enough to cope with the life changing event of going through a divorce, but even more disconcerting when you have to find a job after having been away from the workplace for an extended period of time. It can be scary to suddenly have to support yourself financially - although the positive side of this challenge is that it is an opportunity for growth and empowering to know that you can triumph in a difficult situation and have full control of your life.

A few common issues faced by divorced men and women who are re-entering the job market are:

·         Lack of career direction

·         Gaps in employment

·         Skills that may need to be updated

Here are seven strategies for overcoming these problems:

1)     Adopt a Positive Mindset

As with any difficult challenge in life, the #1 ingredient that guarantees success is to possess the right mindset that will work for you rather than against you. When faced with seemingly daunting tasks to undertake, the initial reaction may be to feel overwhelmed and paralyzed.  It's vital to believe in yourself and your ability to handle any situation that life throws your way.  

2)     Get Focused and Decide What Position(s) to Target

If you have no idea what type of work you want to do or qualify for, it may be tempting to go on job boards, look over advertised openings and apply to anything and everything that you think might be a job you can get. This strategy rarely works. Instead, ask yourself this question: "What job positions do I qualify for based on my education, experience, and background?" Then focus on one or two positions you're interested in and appear to be a good fit for you.

3)     Deal with Employment Gaps on your Resume

As part of your toolkit for the job hunt, it is imperative to have a well-written, impactful resume that will get a prospective employer's attention to call you in for an interview. If you've been away from the workplace for years, employers will assume that your skills are not up-to-date. The best strategy to adopt is to either create a resume with a functional format (one that relies on categorical, skills-based sections to demonstrate your qualifications for a particular job) or include any recent volunteer experience relevant to the job position you're targeting.

4)     Update your Skills

It is important to scour job openings and descriptions to find out exactly what qualifications employers are looking for within a particular job position. If you don't have those skills, it may take you out of the running for that job position, so it would be in your best interest to acquire that knowledge. If you need to update your computer software skills for example, you can take classes, hijack the nearest kid for help or take a book out of the library and practice until you've mastered your topic.

5)     Get a temporary job

Sign up with a few temp agencies in your area. The benefits are numerous; you'll be able to update your skills, build your experience, make connections and enhance your resume. It will also allow you to decide if that job position is one you would like to have on a permanent basis.  You never know, it may also lead to an offer for permanent employment.

 

6)     Network to Find a Job

The advantage many people have from being away from the workforce for an extended period of time is having formed a lot of social connections; especially, through volunteer work. Let your connections know that you are looking to re-enter the workplace. Tell them specifically what you're looking for and qualified to do then ask them for advice as opposed to asking if they know of job openings. Do your homework and be prepared to let them know what you're specifically looking for them to help you with. Some possibilities may be to ask them to be a reference, provide insider information on a particular company or industry, or to provide an introduction to someone in your field.

7)     Get Support

Getting support is imperative and can be the difference between failing and succeeding in the job search. Join a job search support group, hire a Career Coach or at the very least enlist the help of a buddy to keep tabs on your progress. Searching for a job today can be quite challenging. You will need a support system to motivate you, keep you accountable for all of the actions you will need to take, and to give you ideas when your job search doesn't always go according to plan.