CV Solutions for Returning to Work

So, you’re returning to the workforce after a career break. Whether you’ve been caring for your children, elderly parents or an ill loved one, travelling the world or just enjoying life, CV Solution can help.

Although you may feel out of touch, the skills you’ve gained on your career break can be extremely valuable to an employer. CV Solution would love to work with you to develop a CV that highlights your skills and experience. CV Solution can also provide information and coaching to help build your confidence as you take this next step forward.

Contact us today and we will tailor a package that meets your needs. From CV preparation and job search tips, to skills training and interview coaching – our services are sure to boost your confidence and help you reach your goals. CV Solution won’t just prepare your CV; we’ll give you understanding and support from the moment we hear from you.

The CV Solution Edge

You’ve decided to re-enter the workforce
It’s time to create a CV/resume
You hire CV Solution to create an impressive CV/resume that promotes the skills you’ve learnt in your time away from the workforce. You also ask CV Solution to provide coaching on how to select a job that is going to fit with your new lifestyle		You create your own CV/resume using a template
You approach one or more strategically selected potential employer(s) and submit your application		You approach one or more potential employers and submit your resume. You’re not 100% confident that you’re what they’re looking for and in fact you’re not even sure they can offer the flexibility you need
The quality of your application is noticed and because you’ve undertaken CV Solution’s Job Search Training, you’ve been able to target organisations that are a good fit for your skills, experience and future direction		The employer will compare your resume with the others they’ve received. Why would they choose you over someone who has remained in the workforce and who has current skills and knowledge?
The employer contacts you and invites you to an interview. CV Solution have coached you on how to handle the interview invitation and have taught you the questions to ask so you can prepare		With luck, the employer may still invite you to an interview. You take down the details they give you but you don’t know what questions to ask so you can confidently and adequately prepare
You contact CV Solution for a 1:1 Interview Coaching Session or enrol for a CV Solution Group Interview Coaching Session		You are not sure how to prepare for the interview so you do some basic internet research about interviews
You arrive at the interview well prepared and confident. You perform strongly, having already practiced answering interview questions. You ask some pertinent questions and leave the interviewers impressed		You arrive at the interview, stumble through the questions, not quite sure how what to expect or how to respond. You suffer from nervous energy and may end up rambling or having mental blanks. The interviewers are not impressed
The employer is likely to call back and invite you to the next stage in the selection process		You have no idea how you performed in the interview. The employer is likely to give you the ‘thanks but no thanks’ phone call. Maybe now you could try the CV Solution approach?
You contact CV Solution and arrange for some 1:1 coaching to get you through the entire process. CV Solution can even organise skills training at any stage during the process to boost your confidence and ability
CV Solution taught you how to use the selection process to your advantage and you have decided whether this organisation is for you or not. When the employer calls to make an offer, you’re prepared with your response and you’re able to negotiate a great deal. Congratulations, you’ve got the job!
Contact CV Solution now for a FREE phone consultation and to order your CV Solution.

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Hot Tips

#1 – Planning & Goal Setting:
You decided to take a career break and now it’s time to re-enter the workforce. We anticipate that this will be a daunting step for you, regardless of whether you’ve been out for 6 months or 6 years. Rather than just stumble into a job that is ok – perhaps because it’s the only job you can find that offers the flexibility you need - why not carve out a career path that will contribute to your personal and professional fulfilment and satisfaction rather than detract from it? Finding such a career will take dedication and commitment to the exploration of your life goals and direction and it may also take patience. CV Solution offer several options to help you explore your life goals and direction. We can then help you translate this into potential jobs and/or career paths that are likely to contribute to your fulfilment and satisfaction both now and in the future. Using the tools we provide, you can then review your goals and direction each year and take a proactive approach to managing your career.

#2 – Research:
The most important part of applying for your first job after a career break is being prepared; not only at the time of applying but also in the lead up. Employers often look for particular skills and experiences and you can start to work on these in the months preceding your re-entry to the workforce.

Some employers will not consider applicants who have been out of the workforce for more than 12 months, often because they don’t want to invest in training. Others are much more open minded and understand the benefits associated with hiring someone who is back from a career break and ready to take on paid employment again. It’s essential for you to know what your future employers are looking for so you can prepare yourself. Attributes most employers look for as a minimum are effective communication skills, time management, emotional and intellectual intelligence and the ability to prioritise and meet deadlines. These skills are often developed and enhanced through a career break but you may not know how to convey this to a potential employer. You may also be struggling with confidence. CV Solution offers a range of training courses to help you improve these and other aspects of yourself. Contact us today for our current Training Calendar and to give yourself the CV Solution Edge.

CV Solution recommends that you research the flexible work practices offered by the organisations you’re hoping to work for. Especially if your career break was taken to care for children because it’s likely that you still have responsibilities at home associated with parenting and this will require a certain amount of your time and attention.

Finally, you should research your current workplace rights and entitlements. Things have changed recently and there is an excellent website for the Fair Work Ombudsman that you should visit www.fwo.gov.au.

#3 – Preparation:
Having identified the organisations you’re hoping to work with you’ll need to start preparing your applications. Some applications are completed online and others can be handed in personally. CV Solution recommends that you keep a record of the organisations you’re planning to apply with and any contact you’ve had with them. This will trigger your memory if you receive an unexpected call for an interview.

You’ll need to create a new CV and cover letters as well as gather any relevant certificates, transcripts and written referees. It’s better to have too much information that not enough during the preparation phase. You should also think about how you wish to present your CV on the day of your interview. CV’s look professional when presented in a display folder. There will be many to choose from at your local newsagent or office supply store, alternatively CV Solution can provide a professional display folder as part of your tailored solution. Your folder should contain your tailored cover letter, CV, transcripts and certificates as well as any written referees.

Finally, in preparation for re-entering the workforce you should identify people who can provide a professional reference for you. You should ask people who have supervised you in the past. This could be in a work, community service or sporting setting. It’s a good idea to ask 2-4 people who can provide a good overview of your past performance and reliability. Ask them what they’d say about you so you’re fully aware of what the employer is going to hear and ask them for their current phone number and email address. You don’t have to let them know every time you apply for a job but certainly let them know if the employer has indicated to you that they’ll be checking your references. At this point, provide your referees with a copy of the job description if possible so they can provide relevant information to your prospective employer.

#4 – Apply:
There are many places to find job vacancies including online job boards, newspapers and magazines, word of mouth and on local notice boards. You can also hand in an unsolicited resume to any organisation you wish to work for who is not currently advertising.

Some applications will consist only of your CV and cover letter others will require you to complete online verbal, numerical and/or abstract reasoning assessments; emotional and/or intellectual intelligence assessments; and/or any other relevant assessments.

You should provide a current phone number and email address on your application and make sure you check both regularly. Use an appropriate email address and ensure your answering service message is professional and well articulated. Be aware of any inappropriate background noise in the message. An employer can be turned off by an immature or inappropriate email address or phone message.

If you choose to hand in an unsolicited resume you should call ahead of time to ensure its ok to do so. If the organisation is happy to receive an unsolicited resume we recommend that you ask for the name of the person who the application should be addressed to. This is the person you should address your cover letter to and also the person you should ask for at reception when you arrive to deliver your application. Greet the person with a firm handshake and give them your spiel and a copy of your application. Ask if you can give them a call in 3-5 business days to follow up. CV Solution can help you formulate an effective spiel and write a tailored cover letter.

#5 – Patience:
Approximately 3-5 business days after you’ve submitted your CV you should phone back and ask to speak to the person you handed it to. Remind them who you are and explain that you’re returning to work after a career break and have identified their organisation as a place you’d really like to work. Ask politely if it would be ok to arrange a time to meet and discuss any current or future opportunities.

#6 – Selection Process:
In time, the organisation will get back to you with either an invitation to an interview or a rejection. In the initial stages don’t be surprised if all communication is via email. Some organisations will offer feedback to rejected applicants and if they do CV Solution highly recommend that you take up their offer.

If you are invited to an interview you should find out as many details as possible whilst still remaining professional. Be sure to arrange reliable childcare if necessary and look up any venue details well ahead of time. Allow yourself plenty of travel time; aim to arrive at the venue 20-30 minutes early and at reception 5-10 minutes early. It’s much better to arrive early, with time for a toilet stop, than late.

Take care with your outfit and pay special attention to details such as jewellery, nail varnish and make up (including lipstick on teeth). Males should be clean shaven, with tidy hair and have polished shoes with socks that match the suit and shoe colour. Dress according to the dress code of the organisation you’re applying for. For office based jobs this often means a suit and tie for males and a suit, pantyhose and heels for females. Often you’ll be able to dress down slightly within a few weeks of commencing work but it’s always better to be slightly overdressed than embarrassingly underdressed.

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