An article by an editor of Bloomberg Opinion cites the statistics about unemployment coming out of the pandemic. These statistics show that women have been harder hit in their careers than men, mostly because of the need to care for children while they home-school. Of the more than one million people who have left the workforce so far, 80% are women.
If you are a woman who has to fight a losing battle for flexible work hours, reliable help from your significant other, and alternatives for childcare—then you are not “opting out.” Circumstances have forced you out.
If you have a half-hour to spare anytime during the week, you can begin preparing for your return to work with these steps:
- Update your resume, adding information from your last job, with a special emphasis on any numbers you can provide that show your contribution.
- Maintain contact with your network, setting yourself a goal of at least one call a week to people you know at work or in the field; let them know your career is only on hold temporarily and find out what is happening right now in your industry.
- Surf the net for companies you might be interested in and start compiling a list of contacts, openings, and needed skills so that you can target your resume and your search efficiently when the pandemic eases.
- Consider what you need from a job aside from pay. Would you accept contract positions? Do you need flexible hours more than vacation time? Are you more eager to return to the office or work at home? List your priorities and what you loved or hated about your previous job.
- Take an online course—many of them are free, either entirely or on a trial basis. The course may be out of your field, but it still shows your dedication to learning and growing.
- Try for an isolation buddy with kids. You may be able to trade off some childcare to give yourself a solid hour to think and prepare.
- Take time for yourself. Your mental and physical health are important. If you feel you are slipping into depression or anger, please contact one of the many online organizations that offer free counseling and kind support.
When you are ready to return to the workforce, Robin’s Resumes® is here to help. As a woman-owned and operated resume writing company, we know the obstacles women face in every workplace.