How to get back into work after long term unemployment? Employment

Getting back into work after long-term unemployment can feel daunting at first. But with the right help and support, it is entirely possible. In this section, we’ll give you some pointers on how to get back into work after long term unemployment.

Look at your skills & interests

Before you start job searching again, take a good look at your skills and interests. During your period of unemployment, you may have learned new skills (such as caring for others and communication skills) and these aren’t to be underestimated.

Looking at what interests you and excites you can also be a good starting point. It can give you a good idea of the type of job you might want, and help you make a plan of how you are going to get there.

Try volunteering

Lack of recent experience can be a big stumbling block for people who have been out of work for a long period. But there are ways around it. If you find this is the case for you, why not give volunteering a try? Not only can volunteering roles help to build your skills, give you a recent reference and contribute to your experience, it can also help build your confidence and get back into a ‘working’ mindset.

If you are unsure of the type of role that you’d like to do, volunteering can also give you a taste of what to expect before you commit to a permanent job role.

Temporary roles and work placements can also help you to boost your confidence and get more work experience. Not only that but being proactive in this way shows that you are committed to finding employment and allows you to demonstrate your skills and capability to an employer.

Consider training or learning a new skill

Training courses can be a great way to build your skills and add new qualifications to your CV. Again, if you’ve been out of work for a while you may feel a bit intimidated going straight into employment. A training course can help ease you in while teaching you valuable new skills that you can take forward into a new job role.

Look after your wellbeing

If you are feeling a bit overwhelmed by the thought of returning to work, you’re not alone. Instead of jumping in before you’re ready, consider seeking support. For example, the Building Better Opportunities program can help you to access free support in many different forms, including employment support, financial advice, health & wellbeing and personal development. For some, long term unemployment can lead to anxiety and depression, which makes finding a job harder. So, before you do anything else, take stock of where you are mentally and consider addressing that head-on first, as it can be hugely beneficial to you, your career and your happiness in the long run.

If you find that these are barriers to work for you, then contact us to find out how we can help. Or check out our upcoming training courses to find the right program for you.

Update your CV

If you feel ready to start applying for jobs, then the first place to start is to update your CV. Don’t forget to include any recent work experience, placements and volunteer opportunities as well as relevant skills to reflect your previous experiences. To find out more about writing an effective CV, click here.

Be honest

No matter your reason for taking a break from employment, the key to getting back into work after a break is to be honest about the gaps in your CV. There is no shame in a period of unemployment, so explain honestly before drawing attention to the steps you have taken to find work (for example, training courses, volunteering, temporary work, etc.).

Ask for help

Whether you’ve been out of work for one year or ten, reentering the world of work can be an intimidating task that’s difficult to navigate. For that reason, it’s vital to ask for help if you need it.

At Building Better Opportunities in Stafford and South Staffordshire, we can help you build your confidence, learn new skills, and try new things you may have not considered before. Alongside this, we can support you in creating a budget and accessing the appropriate benefits and welfare support that make working possible after a break. Whatever your fears or apprehensions may be, our friendly advocates are experienced in helping people from all walks of life get back into work after long-term employment – and we are confident that we can help you too.

To get started, give us a call today on 01902 696 228 or fill in the enquiry form below to request a callback. Alternatively, you can pop in to any of our informal drop-in sessions across Stafford and South Staffordshire and speak to an advocate.