THE SCENARIO
I left the work force a decade ago to raise my family, and now want to resume my career. But I can't even get interviewed for positions for which I am qualified based on my experience and education. Is it unreasonable to assume that I can enter the work force where I left off? Do I need to work my way up again?
THE ADVICE
There are a number of things for you to consider:
Call some of the places where you have applied and find out why you have not been getting interviews. Ask the human resources managers what they were looking for and why you were not selected for an interview.
Ask what they recommend you change or update about your cover letter, résumé or experience. Ask what level of position they think you should be applying for and how you can land the next interview.
See what your résumé indicates you have been doing for the past 10 years.
You will want to draft it so that it shows you have been using your skills, achieving results and furthering your professional training and development over this period of time. Also include any volunteer work or board positions you have held that show you have continued to use and expand your skills and knowledge base.
Attend business or professional meetings where colleagues from your past meet. Set up meetings and network with these individuals as well as with former bosses and co-workers.
Build solid relationships with them and indicate you want to re-enter your former career. Ask for names of individuals to contact and ask them to introduce you to key people in the industry. Ask if there are any courses or topics you need to get up to speed on. Ask at what level they think you can re-enter the industry.
Do your research and develop a list of companies where you would like to work. Contact each of the owners or the senior managers of these companies and say you would like to set up an interview.
If they try to brush you off by saying that they do not have any positions at this time, indicate you would like to ask questions about the industry, the sector and the company; if they are receptive, set up meetings.
Make sure that you have done the research on the company so that you can ask informed and relevant questions. Share with the managers your current situation, your background and your vision for your career. Then ask what they would do if they were in your position.
Attend courses and professional development seminars that will bring you up to date in your field and expose you to leaders and teachers in your area of interest. Ask these people for interviews, contacts and leads in your field of interest.
Also ask these individuals as well as your former bosses and colleagues for letters of reference and to act as references in your current job search.
Bruce Sandy is an executive and career coach with Pathfinder Coaching and Consulting based in Port Moody, B.C.
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