Stephanie Swilley, CARW’s Post

𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆? 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲. I’ve worked with countless career changers, and professionals coming back from employment breaks. While I often advise them to think about enhancing skillsets through learning. Such as: Course, Certifications, Reading, Researching are all fine but here is the truth, 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵...𝘀𝗼 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲? What sets you apart isn't just what you know—it’s what you can do with that knowledge. Employers want to see how you apply it. If you’re serious about standing out, put this plan into action. Turn your knowledge into real experience. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵: Volunteering Freelancing Hobbies Passion Projects Job Shadowing Content Creation Open Source Contributing It’s not just about learning—it’s about doing. Show employers you’re not just someone who knows things, but someone who can make things happen. #scottmfrc #careerprogression #experiencegained #cultivateyourcareer #professionaldevelopment

Explaining a career gap can feel daunting, but with the right approach, you can turn it into a positive aspect of your professional journey. Here are some tips to help you explain a career gap effectively: 1. Be Honest and Concise: Clearly explain the reason for your gap without going into too much detail. For example, “I took time off to care for a family member” or “I pursued further education.” 2. Highlight Productive Activities: Emphasize any productive activities you engaged in during the gap, such as volunteering, freelancing, taking courses, or developing new skills. This shows that you remained proactive and committed to personal growth. 3. Reassure Readiness: Make it clear that the situation causing the gap has been resolved and that you are fully ready to commit to a new role. For instance. 4. Focus on the Future: Shift the conversation towards your enthusiasm for the position you’re applying for and how your experiences, including the gap, have prepared you for this role. For example, “During my time off, I gained valuable insights that I believe will contribute to my success in this position.” 5. Practice Your Explanation: Prepare and practice your explanation so that you can deliver it confidently and smoothly during interviews. Here’s a sample explanation you might use: “I took a year off to care for a family member who was ill. During this time, I also completed several online courses to enhance my skills in [relevant field]. Now that my family member is well and I have gained additional knowledge, I am fully prepared and excited to return to work and contribute to your team.”

8 ways of explaining Career Gap👇🏻 1️⃣ Educational Pursuits: Address on Resume: “Dedicated time to pursue higher education, obtaining [Degree/Certification Name] from [Institution Name]. Developed skills in [relevant skills gained during education].” 2️⃣ Parental Leave/Maternity Leave: Address on Resume: “Took a planned break for parental responsibilities and family care. Maintained industry knowledge through [relevant activities during leave, such as online courses or industry research].” 3️⃣ Health Reasons: Address on Resume: “Managed personal health challenges and utilized the time for self-care and recovery. Maintained professional growth through [relevant activities like attending webinars or networking online].” 4️⃣ Career Transition or Self-Employment: Address on Resume: “Explored entrepreneurship or career transition opportunities. Developed valuable skills in [mention skills relevant to the target position or industry].” 5️⃣ Relocation/Travel: Address on Resume: “Engaged in relocation or extensive travel experiences, broadening cultural understanding and adaptability. Continued professional development through [mention any relevant activities or learning experiences during travel].” 6️⃣ Volunteering or Nonprofit Work: Address on Resume: “Devoted time to meaningful volunteer or nonprofit work, contributing to community causes such as [mention specific causes or organizations]. Gained valuable skills in [skills like leadership, teamwork, project management].” 7️⃣ Laid off/Downturn in Industry: Address on Resume: “Affected by company restructuring or industry downturn, resulting in a period of job search and skill enhancement. Utilized the time to [mention activities like freelancing, consulting, or training] to stay updated in [relevant industry/field].” 8️⃣ Family Responsibilities/Caregiving: Address on Resume: “Assumed caregiving responsibilities for family members, demonstrating strong organizational and time management skills. Stayed connected to professional networks and industry trends through [online networking or industry forums].” #resume #résumé #resumewriting #jobsearch #career #careeradvice #careergo #corporate #careergap

#careerbreak #careerbreaks #careergap #careergaps #careershift #careerchange #careershifts #careerchanges #careerbuild #careerbuilding #careerbuilder #careerimpact When answering the career break question in an interview, be honest and prepared to address any concerns. Here's a step-by-step approach: 1. Acknowledge the break: Start by acknowledging the career break and showing enthusiasm for returning to work. 2. Explain the reason: Briefly explain the reason for the break (e.g., family, health, personal, or education). Keep it concise and avoid negative details. 3. Highlight skills maintenance: Mention any skills you maintained or updated during the break, such as courses, volunteering, or freelancing. 4. Emphasize transferable skills: Highlight transferable skills gained during the break, like time management, communication, or problem-solving. 5. Show eagerness to return: Express your eagerness to return to work and contribute to the organization. 6. Prepare examples: Prepare examples of how your skills and experience can benefit the company. 7. Practice your answer: Practice your response to confidently address the career break question.

Don’t let your career break ruin your resume. The key is to present your career break favorably, ensuring it doesn't lead to rejection. Here are some strategies to accomplish this: ✅Highlight positive experiences: Emphasize what you learned during the break and how it contributed to your personal growth. If you faced challenges in securing employment, explain that you took time off intentionally for self-improvement. ✅Showcase Projects: - Freelancing: Mention any freelance work you undertook during the break, highlighting the skills you acquired and the projects you completed. - Volunteering: Describe any volunteer work you engaged in and the impact it had on your development. - Entrepreneurship: If you started your own business or pursued entrepreneurial endeavors, outline the accomplishments and lessons you gained from that experience. -Educational pursuits: Include any educational activities you undertook, such as courses, certifications, or workshops, to demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning. ✅Address significant reasons for the break: It is essential to be honest about gaps caused by medical leaves/maternity/paternity. Remember, honesty and authenticity are crucial when presenting your career break to employers. Enhance your chances of getting the job by showcasing your enthusiasm for work and highlighting the opportunities you seized during your time off. Is there any kind of break that I missed? Mention them in the comments below. #experience #work #career

Ever found yourself at your desk pondering, "Am I in the right place? Should I explore a new path?" You're not alone. The journey to fulfilling work is often lined with questions, doubts, and the itch for change. Here's a roadmap to navigate this terrain: Before diving into action, it's essential to understand the nature of the change you seek. This understanding lays the groundwork for a focused and effective strategy for growth and development. o  Enroll in a course to gain new knowledge and exposure to different perspectives and possibilities.  o  Certifications can showcase your commitment and competence in a specific area, making you a more attractive candidate to prospective employers.  o  Read books to get the wisdom of experts and leaders and gain insights into various fields and industries  o  The digital age offers an abundance of resources that you can explore to stay abreast of the latest trends and skills demanded by the evolving job market.   With the foundation of new knowledge and skills, the next step is to translate these into tangible assets that enhance your professional value. o  Update your CV with newly acquired skills, courses, and personal projects that makes your journey and capabilities visible to potential employers. o  Craft a compelling cover letter that connect the dots between where you've been, where you are, and where you hope to be, conveying your passion and purpose. o  Undertake practical projects on real-world application of your skills to demonstrate your initiative and problem-solving abilities to potential employers. o  Garner relevant experience through volunteering, freelancing, or interning in your new field of interest.  #CareerChange #ProfessionalGrowth #CareerDevelopment #Globalwriterscademy #thechrysolead #learninganddevelopment

Re-entering the job market? It's tough, but totally doable 💪 Getting back to work can be a real challenge. Things like filling gaps in your CV and updating old skills can be pretty daunting. But guess what? With the right mindset and approach, you can totally tackle these hurdles. First off, let's talk about the fear of outdated skills. Yeah, industries change fast, and what worked five years ago might not cut it today. The good news? Online courses and certification programs are your friends. Keep learning—it's super important and super valuable in today's world. Confidence can take a hit when you've been out of the game. Networking can help big time. Reconnect with old colleagues, hit up industry events, and get involved in professional groups. You might discover opportunities you didn't even know were out there. Plus, it shows you're serious about growing and learning. Last but not least, make sure your CV highlights your transferable skills. Did you manage projects while volunteering? Or maybe you got really good at organizing things running a household? These skills are gold. Make them shine on your CV. Feel free to share your stories or ask questions! We're all here to help each other succeed. #JobSearch #CareerAdvice #ProfessionalGrowth

Returning back to paid work after a career break is never easy and it can be especially hard if you have taken a career pause to look after your family. Often the hardest part is knowing where to start and to understand your value and what you have to offer. 📣A great first step is to take stock of the skills you applied whilst raising your family. Project management, problem solving skills are just a few of the many valuable skills you probably honed. Write them down with some examples of when you applied those skills. They are great talking points that will be of use in the future 📣Create a resume that highlights these skills. A resume is still the way forward irrespective of the method of working you have in mind be it #freelance, full /part time. If you have done any volunteering, it can be added as a position you had. Make sure to include the work you have done and the organisation(s) you have worked with 📣Having a network that is supportive is a great way to improve your chances when you are looking to go back to paid work. Make connections both in person and online. (re)Connect with people you know and also people you would like to know 📣remember you are not alone !! Info@workfreeely.com www.workfreeely.com

🌟 Exciting Career Day Experience! 🌟 On Monday, July 15, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Career Day hosted by The Global Career Accelerator. It was an enriching experience that provided valuable insights into getting our portfolios started, Upwork Advantage: A Freelancer’s Perspective and From Campus to Career: Mastering the Hunt. Key Takeaways: Insightful Sessions: - I learned many important tips in "From Campus to Career: Mastering the Hunt" session by our host Tariq Meyers, like being persistent & creative, leveraging my unique experiences, building relationships, being open to adjacent opportunities, articulating my experience, and contextualizing my resume gaps. - I gained valuable insights in the "Getting Your Portfolios Started" session by our hosts Phillip ‘Phenom’ Robinson, Barent L. @Katie S. I learned the importance of having a good-looking portfolio, new ways of hosting websites like Github Pages(which I normally use), and about Canva and many free resources available. - I discovered crucial tips in the "Upwork Advantage: A Freelancer’s Perspective" session by our hosts Lynette Williams, William Simpson, Ashton Regensberg. The session focused on three main topics: Getting Started, Winning Paid Projects, and Project Success. I got insights about all these topics and more about the freelancing realm. Career Advice: Gained practical advice on the above aspects, which I’m excited to implement in my journey. This event truly broadened my understanding of the corporate world and inspired me to keep working hard because at the end of the tunnel, there is a light. It was a reminder of the importance of continuous learning and networking. A huge thank you to The Global Career Accelerator for putting together such a fantastic event. Also, a shoutout to Phillip ‘Phenom’ Robinson, Ashton Regensberg, Tariq Meyers, William Simpson, and Lynette Williams for their contributions and insights. For anyone interested in gaining professional skills, I highly recommend attending similar events. If you were there too, I’d love to hear about your experiences and key takeaways! #CareerDay #Networking #ProfessionalDevelopment #ContinuousLearning #Excellence

Navigating Long-Term Unemployment: Practical Advice for Staying Positive  and Moving Forward 🚀💼✨ Being unemployed for an extended period can be challenging and stressful. 😓 Many people find the current job market difficult, with fewer opportunities available. 📉 However, there are strategies and resources to help you stay positive and proactive. 🌟 Here are some tips based on recent expert advice: 1. Stay Positive and Practice Gratitude 🌟✨  Maintain a positive mindset. Practicing gratitude helps shift focus from what's going wrong to what's going right. Reflect on your achievements and skills. 🙏💪 2. Expand Your Network 🤝🌐  Networking is key. Reach out to industry contacts for coffee or brief chats. They might provide valuable insights or connections. ☕🗣️ 3. Develop New Skills 📚🧠  Learn new skills or enhance existing ones. Online courses, certifications, and workshops can make your CV stand out. 💻📈 4. Consider Temporary or Volunteer Work 💼🤗  Temping, volunteering, or internships can fill gaps in your employment history and provide practical experience. These roles can also expand your network. 🏆🌍 5. Seek Support and Counseling 🗨️ 🧘♂️  Seek professional help if overwhelmed. Career counselling, job search support groups, and mental health services can offer guidance and support. 💬❤️ 6. Stay Organized and Persistent 📝📅  Keep track of job applications, follow-ups, and networking. Staying organized helps you manage your job search effectively. 📋🔍 7. Use Available Resources 🌐📊  Explore resources for job seekers, including government benefits and job search assistance programs: Restart Scheme: Skills training, job application prep, financial help, online tools, and wellbeing support. [Link in the comments] 🔗 Learning and Work Institute: Personal advice, job support, and activities to build employability. [Link in the comments] 🔗 UK Government's Plan for Jobs: Guidance for skill development and job search. [Link in the comments] 🔗 Deloitte's Guide for Long-Term Unemployed: Checklist for job seekers,  interactive exercises, and activities. [Link in the comments] 🔗 I'd be interested to hear your advice, tips, or recommendations of services that have helped you navigate your search. 🚀😊 #JobSearch #UnemploymentSupport #CareerAdvice #Networking #SkillDevelopment #PositiveMindset #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #CareerTips  #JobOpportunities