| During these tough times a large number of people are | | | | have to defend your absence from the workforce, |
| re-entering the job market. Stay-at-home mothers | | | | you only need to explain it. The employer wants to |
| going back to work, part-time workers looking for a full | | | | know and understand what your reasons were and |
| time position, people who took time out to get | | | | why you are now looking to re-enter the job market. |
| qualifications are finding that economic conditions are | | | | Address these concerns in a factual, non-defensive |
| forcing them back into the job market. Time out of the | | | | way and you can successfully move on to the next |
| workforce for a while can make one anxious about | | | | part of the job interview. |
| entering the job market again. The key element during | | | | What did you gain during this time? |
| your job interview is to emphasize the skills and | | | | Remember that experience does not have to be paid |
| experience you now bring to the position, what | | | | to count as valuable and relevant. What new skills |
| constructive steps you have taken to stay up-to-date | | | | have you learned during your time away from the |
| during your absence and the new and valuable skills | | | | workforce? What steps did you take to keep current |
| you have learned during this time that can be | | | | with industry news and happenings. Did you take any |
| transferred to the workplace. | | | | courses or programs? |
| Prepare for these interview questions about your | | | | In a confident and positive manner discuss your |
| re-entry into the workforce: | | | | experiences and why they would make you a good |
| Your resume shows no work experience over the last | | | | employee. Refer to skills such as budgeting, planning |
| few years. Can you tell me what you have been | | | | and organizing, prioritizing that you learned while raising |
| doing? | | | | your family. These can all transfer to on-the-job skills. |
| The interviewer is asking why you have not been | | | | Doing community work or looking after a sick relative |
| working. It is important to be honest and | | | | means learning to adjust to different demands and |
| straightforward about your reasons for deciding to | | | | needs. |
| take time out of the workplace. | | | | Be positive about how busy and active you have |
| For parents who have been at home raising kids this | | | | been, regardless of why you were not formally |
| can be an frustrating question as you have most | | | | employed. |
| definitely been working! Use this as an opportunity to | | | | What makes you the right candidate for this position? |
| highlight the skills and behaviors you have learned | | | | This is when you refer to your past employment |
| during your time at home such as stress tolerance, | | | | history. Make sure that you highlight why this previous |
| planning, scheduling, time management and to confirm | | | | work experience is still relevant to the position you are |
| why you are ready and eager to return to | | | | interviewing for today and to the work environment |
| employment. | | | | you will be in. Focus on your own competencies, such |
| If the reason is more complicated such as an illness or | | | | as problem-solving, planning, organizing and |
| having to look after a sick relative you can still use the | | | | communicating, that you bring to the position. |
| same approach. You may feel tempted to play upon | | | | Emphasize your maturity and adaptability, your |
| your interviewer’s sympathies and discuss the | | | | re-commitment to your career and your willingness to |
| difficulties you have experienced but it is far wiser to | | | | work hard and learn quickly. |
| provide a straightforward explanation of your time off. | | | | Re-entering the job market holds a number of |
| Explain why you decided to leave your job after | | | | challenges, but with perseverance and preparation |
| careful evaluation of the situation. Detail what you | | | | they shouldn't hold you back in your job interview. Use |
| learned from the experience. Assure the interviewer | | | | this opportunity to show them you're the best person |
| that the reasons have now resolved themselves and | | | | for the job. |
| you are eager to be back at work and focused on | | | | For good advice and help with dealing with tough |
| your career. Steer the conversation back to your skills | | | | interview questions read through How to Answer |
| and experience and communicate clearly what you | | | | Difficult Interview Questions. Prepare for typical |
| are able to offer to the position and the company | | | | interview questions using these guidelines and sample |
| The important thing to remember is that you do not | | | | answers. |