SUMMER 2023 5 tips for returning to work after a career break 1. Be clear about your goals Take some time to think about the bigger picture. What would you like your career to look like in five years' time? This may feel daunting, but you don't have to be specific. Would you like to be managing a team? Working on eco-friendly projects? Once you start to imagine the future, you can be clearer about your long-term goals and choose roles that help to get you there. 2. Be specific in your job search Look for roles that are closely matched to your current skill set. If you are too general, you may find roles that aren't best suited to you. Equally, do not be disheartened if your dream role isn't listed. Find a core set of roles in construction that you know you can make work for your abilities and you can excel in. 3. Grow your network Don't job hunt purely online. Use different methods like word of mouth, keeping in touch with old colleagues and contacting relevant organisations. You will have friends who work, and their professional networks are another pool of potential opportunities. Get in touch with people who inspire you or have been through similar experiences and ask them for advice. 4. Refine your CV Don't feel like you need to excuse yourself if you haven't been working for a long period of time. A break allows you to learn new skills and differentiates you from other candidates. Write down all the skills you developed during your break and use your CV to demonstrate how they relate to the job you're applying for. 5. Prepare for interviews If you haven't been to a job interview in a while, it might feel even more unsettling than before, but don't worry. You can practice beforehand with friends or by quizzing yourself at home. Remember that interviews are a conversation - the people asking the questions are assessing you for a job, but you can also ask questions to see if the role is right for you. Try to be as prepared as possible for each interview you attend. For more information The Go Construct website at goconstruct.org contains a huge amount of information about how to pursue a career in the construction industry.http://goconstruct.org