Looking for the one

A guide to finding your dream job (again!)

“How do I explain taking a career break for so many years?”

This is a question that can stump anyone trying to rejoin the workforce. But if you’ve been on the receiving side of this question, know that you are not alone. Many women decide to take a break from their professional career due to familial responsibilities, maternity, or taking care of the elderly. These are all valid and important reasons to take some time away from your career.

Now that you have decided to go back to your professional life like many other Indian women, here’s a handy guide to finding the job of your dreams — again!

STEP 1: Research and reconnect.

Before you start applying for a job, take some time out to re-examine your interests and skills. List them down, or take an aptitude test to figure out what you want to pursue now.

This will help you narrow down your niche, i.e. the positions that you can apply for, based on your abilities. If you want to work in the same field as before, make sure to do enough research about the changes that have occurred in the market since you left, and update yourself about current trends. You can also make use of indePenn’s Group Learning and Coaching Programme for this purpose.

STEP 2: The need for upskilling

In order to sharpen your skills and stay ahead of the crowd, you must continually upskill yourself. For e.g. A data analyst could learn to use the newest tools/software which will improve her quality of work, and increase her chances of getting hired. It is also advantageous for returnees to upskill their soft skills, for instance, leadership skills and problem-solving abilities, which will help them stand out from the crowd.

STEP 3: Know what YOU want

After understanding what your job needs from you, establish what you need from your job.

· What salary are you expecting?

· What are the perks you are looking for?

· How many hours a day are you willing to work for?

· What is their vacation policy?

These are some basic questions that you need to ask yourself, in order to find a company that you truly enjoy working for. Once you figure it out, go ahead and shortlist various companies that meet your requirements and get ready to get back in the game.

STEP 4: Rewriting your résumé

A great CV is half the work done.

Your CV should summarize and highlight the best of your abilities, it is a great tool to showcase the life skills that you have acquired while you were away from work. A crisp, and keyword-rich CV might land you an interview that is seemingly above your paygrade — which is why it is necessary that you work diligently on your CV and make sure it suits the position you are applying for. One way to make sure your CV is in good shape is to get professional help. Here’s a Smarten Your CV workshop by indePenn to help you craft a resume that showcases all your achievements and capabilities. Sign-up now, to attend this workshop for FREE.

STEP 5: Acing the interview

Congratulations! You’re just one crucial step away from the job of your dreams. Here are a few things you can do before going in for the interview.

· Feeling nervous? Consider attending a training program that can help you prepare for it. Mentoring and mock interviews can help boost your confidence.

· Educate yourself about the company and the people who run it. Know who you’ll be working for before you start working. LinkedIn is your friend!

· Networking with current employees of the company can be useful to understand the work culture. You can connect with them through websites like LinkedIn. indePenn’s Returnship Programme is a great tool to guide you through this. Attending webinars organised by corporates can also help you to get acquainted with like-minded people and potential recruiters. Getting a reference letter from one of the employees can also substantiate your credibility.

STEP 6: Confidence is key!

Although your job experience and CV are important aspects of job hunting, they can only land you an interview. Recruiters can be approachable or tricky, which is why whether you get the job entirely depends on how confident you sound, and how well you stand your ground in the face of challenging situations. Only when you start believing in yourself, others will. So, start today.

Use this as a guide for your next job search, and we hope you may find the one!

If you want a PDF copy to track your own job search drop us an email here: connect@indepenn.com