Returning to work after a long break can be hard for most of us. Whether you have been out of work because of illness, misadventure or something else out of your control, getting back into the routine of working every day can be very difficult. However, if you start to plan out your return in advance, you will be able to eliminate any serious issues that may arise when you eventually decide to go back.
Update your work details
Keeping your work details up to date is extremely important when it comes to getting back into work, especially if you are starting to look for a new job. Showing potential employers what you have done before, and what you can offer their workplace is crucial for rejoining the workforce.
Your resume is the most important thing to keep updated because it shows a list of all your qualifications and previous jobs. However, during your time away from work, you may have done some other things that can be added to your resume. For example, you may have done some volunteer work or upskilled yourself by completing a short course with online providers like Australis College. These things may help you to get where you need to be in your new position, and they will also show your employer that you were still doing something while you have had time off.
Update your online profiles
Keeping your online profiles up to date with any details regarding your work experiences is important as well. Your Linkedin profile is almost like an online version of your resume, so you should update it regularly to reflect any changes that your new employer or possible employers may need to know about your past experiences.
Another thing that you may need to do is a clean sweep of all of your social media accounts. These days, potential employers will go online to check that you are the right fit for their company and that you are not putting anything online that should not be there. Going over and changing your visibility settings, and deleting any incriminating content are both excellent ways to make sure that you are putting your best foot forward online before you go back to work.
Go through your wardrobe
Making sure that your clothes are appropriate for your new job is very important. It’s easy to forget that you will need to prepare the clothes that you’re going to wear to work before starting your new job. Some people like to prepare a workplace wardrobe so that they know exactly what they are going to be wearing each day, and it takes away a little bit of the stress associated with finding the right outfit. Although a lot of workplaces these days will allow you to wear anything smart-casual, some places can be very strict about what you are wearing. It is a good idea to ask your new employer about uniforms or dress-codes before you start so that you can prepare accordingly.
During the interviewing process, it’s worth considering borrowing professional attire. This saves you from purchasing an expensive outfit before you have secured the new position. Sites like The Volte make it easy for people to borrow designer fashion at a fraction of the price of purchase.
Sort out your schedule outside of work
Updating your schedule outside of work is a very important thing that you need to do before you return to the workforce. People who are returning to work are often used to having a lot of free time to take care of things and run errands. When you go back to work it’s important to consider that you will have less time to get things done than you are used to, so you will need to update your schedule to reflect this.
Creating a weekly plan can show you exactly when you are available outside of work, which allows you to figure out when you can get things done. Getting yourself a calendar and a planner can help you better manage your time because it allows you to see exactly when you are busy, rather than trying to remember all your events.
Ease yourself in
When you go back to work after a long time of being out of work, it is a good idea to try and ease yourself back into work slowly. Some employers will get you to start working on a trial basis for a few days a week so that you can get used to the workplace and working in general. However, if you have any reservations about taking on too much too soon, then you should consider talking to your employer about your hours and days when you return to work. Most employers will be very understanding and will give you the room that you need to adjust to getting back into work, but you need to discuss this with your employer early on so that they know what to expect of you.
It can be hard to get yourself back on track after you have had a break from work. Getting yourself back into a routine and figuring out how to function in a different workplace can be hard at first, but eventually, you will be able to adjust. Just remember that this transition can be different for everyone, so if you can give yourself the time that you need to get back into work, then you will feel much better for it later on. Having a plan of action in place before you make your transition back into working life is the best thing that you can do in this situation.
