Work in the specialty after the break. How to force yourself to work after a long break

“I like the work. One day is not like another: many meetings with different people, many interesting tasks and a great young team. I am the oldest in it, but I do not feel it. And it's hard to imagine that five years ago I didn't know anything about coffee or the restaurant business. I had absolutely no idea what I would be doing.

I have an economic education. 30 years ago, my career began with an internship at a major bank. Then I got a job in another, quickly achieved success and became the head of the department.

From the first maternity leave returned quickly. I was afraid to lose my place. My mother retired and started babysitting. But the second decree dragged on. The children were sick a lot, the grandmother could not cope with them. And then there was a crisis and I really had nowhere to return. We had a third child, and I decided to quit my job.

But in 2011, my husband and I divorced. For a while we lived on alimony, but two years later, when the children grew up, I realized that it was time to earn money on my own. By that time, I had not worked anywhere for 15 years. Critical break for my age.

At first I thought, what the heck. First, my potential boss is 20 years younger than me.

I posted my resume on all the major job search sites, sent out to former colleagues ... not a single response. I wasn't even invited for interviews.

A friend told me that her daughter and her friends are planning to open a small coffee shop and I could help them as an accountant. At first I thought, what the heck. First, my potential boss is 20 years younger than me. Secondly, I dreamed of working in a large company with insurance, bonuses, paid vacation and other bonuses. Thirdly, it is not known what the future holds for this startup.

I don’t even remember how and why I nevertheless agreed to look at the business plan. Found a few silly moments. I became most interested in understanding what was what. The task of launching a coffee shop turned out to be an unexpected challenge. I helped the girl with the registration of LLC, then with the search for premises, its repair. And everything turned around.

At first she “worked” on a voluntary basis and at the same time was looking for a more serious occupation. Then I got involved, and now I can’t imagine that I could do something else. ”

How to find a job after a long break

Perhaps before the break you were in high leadership position. But in 10-15 years the world has changed, and the rules of the game in your field too. Face it, you're no longer qualified for that position. Most likely, you will either have to go down a couple of steps down the career ladder, or get out in less big company. There is nothing wrong with either option.

Think about whether you are ready to start freelancing or go on maternity leave, refuse social package or other bonuses. Obviously, you may be offered less favorable terms than other applicants. Any option should be considered as an opportunity to start everything from scratch and declare yourself.

2. Use social media

Large corporations look for employees through recruitment agencies, job search sites and their own HR department. In all these cases, your resume will be viewed strangers, and it will not seem very advantageous to them.

3. Write a good resume

4. Don't underestimate your abilities

When communicating with a potential employer, be confident, do not make excuses and do not play the victim. The phrases “I remember my age” and “Of course, I have already forgotten a lot, and technology has stepped forward” forget once and for all. It is inappropriate to put pressure on pity, even if an old acquaintance is interviewing you. And don't belittle your own abilities by saying, "This is mine. only chance or “I can’t do anything other than that.”

5. Explain your absence

Be prepared to honestly answer the question of why you have not worked for so many years. If you were forced to take care of children or cared for a sick relative, say so. People respect such a choice. But the phrases “There was no need for money” or “I wanted to devote time to myself” indicate a lack of intrinsic motivation.

If during the break you worked as a freelancer, studied (at least in online courses in English), be sure to mention it. But inventing a fictitious job or study is not worth it.

About the expert

Sheen Lanzmann- journalist, TV presenter, career coach.

Working after a long break: highlights

your good reasons

Working after a long break is not only sometimes emotionally difficult, but also requires certain explanations for a potential employer. In addition, you need to be prepared for the fact that the employment process can be significantly delayed.

One way or another, at the interview, most likely, you will be asked a question about the reason for the pause in labor activity, and here it is important to be able to answer it correctly. We list the main types of reasons that are acceptable to the recruiter and employer:

1. Circumstances of a personal and family nature. This most often includes pregnancy and childcare. Attributing stagnation to personal circumstances is much easier for women than it is for men.
2. Moving, staying in another city or country - these processes may require some time to adapt.
3. A learning process that may involve moving to another country.
4. The health status of a relative and the availability of a relevant certificate.

Realizing that you have a rationale for a pause in your work activity, you can proceed to, taking into account some rules.

You are not a priority

The employer is much more likely to make a decision in favor of those employees who do not have a break in their work experience. If you are interested in a job after long break, for example, at least two years, this greatly reduces your chances. From which various conclusions follow, including the need for more active actions and possible compromises.

Expand your geographic scope

It is possible that luck will smile at you in another region. At the very least, this will significantly increase the likelihood than if you try to find something in your city, and even closer to home.

The interview is your way

If it comes to meeting with the employer, your main task will be to convey to him that you are keeping up with the times and have not fallen behind professionally while you were not working. Indeed, even while at home, it is quite possible to study the news, certain market trends, read relevant literature, and so on. Working after a break is not so difficult, and your task will be to show your reasonable readiness to a potential employer.

Less requests - more chances

Given the above, it would be quite logical to somewhat moderate your ambitions and financial appetites. You must realistically evaluate not only your professional level, but also the viewpoint, as well as the interests of the employer. After all, to some extent, work after long break equates to the absence seniority. Therefore, you should be prepared to work at first, catching up, getting on track and gaining momentum.

Many employers know that they can hire an employee who has had a long break on mutually beneficial terms. The former are well aware that they can reasonably save on wages, without losing much in quality, and the second one may give in at first, and after a few months or a year, apply for a new position or a significant increase in their income.

Working after a long break, as well as finding it, may not be the most pleasant and fast process. However, you need to develop and demonstrate your strengths, sacrificing at some stage their ambitions, so as not to lose even more time, and in the near future to have good chances to new professional achievements.

How to get a job if there was a big break in the experience? We answer the most popular questions.

1. I want to return to work after my parental leave. How to convince the employer of my professional suitability?

First of all, the employer will doubt not your professional suitability, but that you will regularly go to work. “You can say that in the event of a child's illness, the grandmother is ready to take care of him,” advises Alexander Tyulin, managing partner of Avtoritet LLC. “You can admit that there is no one to sit with the child, but you are already enrolled in kindergarten and that now you need a reliable and stable job for many years.”

Tell your interview that during your maternity leave you kept track of everything related to your industry. “I personally encountered this issue 2 years ago, when I decided to return from parental leave to work,” Ekaterina Khachatryan, doctor at the Allergomed clinic, shares her experience. - In my specialty, as in almost all areas, constant self-education is necessary, so the first thing I told my future employer was that for almost the entire year I studied numerous literature in my specialty, went through training and know all modern trends. During this year, a lot of strength has accumulated to achieve new goals, so I am ready to actively take up work and support the initiatives of the future boss.”

2. I was sick for a long time. I'm afraid that the employer will not want to accept the applicant who spent so much time on sick leave. What to do?

Convince the employer that you are now healthy. It is possible to show certificates and conclusions of doctors. However, if you have any health restrictions, it is better to warn about it right away.

It will be useful to tell the employer that during the illness you were interested in what is happening in your industry, and your competencies are enough for the position you are applying for. Appeal to your experience, be sure to say that you are ready to develop further.

3. Why do employers dislike job seekers with a long gap in seniority?

“The employer does not react to a break in work as such, but to the fact that this is a possible signal that the candidate has problems ( prolonged illness), insufficient level of adaptation to stressful situations(long-term exit from a difficult life situation), - comments the head of the career development center Career-way.center Anna Belokhonova. - The reason for the break can also be a higher priority in the direction personal life, families, the desire to travel rather than devote oneself to a career, the lack of the need to earn money, which can affect the level of motivation, performance and, finally, simply the involvement of a future employee. In all listed cases the basis for making a positive decision will be the availability of relevant professional experience, the level of development professional competencies, confirmed performance and lack of stagnation in professional development. In addition, it must be taken into account that the employer asks big amount questions before offering a job to such a candidate, so he will play it safe, carefully checking against former colleagues and employers."

4. I have a diploma, I want to work in my specialty. But the break in the experience is more than five years. Do I need to study something extra or is a diploma enough?

Yes, you need to study more. Changes are taking place very quickly in almost all areas of activity. Therefore, it is important to convince the employer that you are aware of all the innovations in your industry and own latest knowledge and tools.

5. And if I have a long break according to my documents, but in fact I worked unofficially. How will this affect the results of the interview?

Your employer may ask you why you chose informal employment. But if the level of your competencies is suitable for the proposed vacancy, there will most likely be no problems.

6. What are the most suspicious reasons for a long break in work experience among employers?

greatest concern HR causes breaks related to the search for oneself - there are fears that the candidate is not sure what he wants to do, and at the first difficulty he will leave to look for a new vocation.

A break in work due to illness, of course, the employer understands as a human being. But such a break raises concerns: what if health problems will be repeated?

The most acceptable reasons for taking a break from work are parental leave and training. If your break is related to receiving additional education or internships (especially in large foreign companies), this characterizes you as a career-oriented and passionate employee. And such a break in the experience is already considered a plus.

7. What should I say to the employer to convince him that I am ready to work well after such a long break?

The most compelling is your motivation. Tell the employer why you are interested in this job. What can you offer the company, what competencies will allow you to cope with the tasks. Young mothers are usually well aware of what multitasking is. Long term treatment gives the skill of patience, consistency and attention to detail.

But most importantly, you need to convey to the employer the idea that you are a professional in your field and are ready to develop further.

Starting a career, a person tries to prove himself well in one workplace, gain experience and receive "dividends" in the form of additional payments and bonuses for excellent service. Getting a job in a firm or organization, rarely does anyone think that someday they may suffer the fate of tens and hundreds of those who were fired or laid off. Often there is a reassessment of values, and a person ceases to consider his place of work suitable: the desire for new professional heights can cause one place to be left and another not found.

There is a temporary break in work activity, and not everyone can cope with two stresses. One caused by violation familiar image life, which includes regular trips to work and cash receipts on a payroll card. The second is related to finding a job and getting a long-awaited position, which seems to be a message from above after a long period of professional stagnation. new job how new life: you have to learn everything, get to know everyone, fight yourself and your weaknesses again. Newcomers to work have the development of a “baby complex”, the essence of which can be expressed in a few words: fear of difficulties associated with learning something new.

Often difficulties new job turn out to be contrived. Only the first day can be considered truly new, when the formalities with the documents are settled and the acquaintance with the team takes place. If you make a good impression, the next day it will seem to a person that he has been working for a long time and is just looking for best options solving recurring problems. Don't underestimate previous experience business communication: you need to take from the past the most effective methods work and communication techniques, and what is associated with failures and unrealized opportunities, it would be right to leave where the person left some time ago.

Enough a long period inaction "drags": a person loses his usual attitude to work and self-organization skills. There are frequent cases of immersion in an alcoholic or rampant "swamp", from which it is more difficult to get out than to get bogged down. The appearance of a “beam of light” in the form of a promising work, which appeared like a bolt from the blue, can be taken by surprise and cause rejection instead of a fit of enthusiasm. like a baby new world into which he comes seems aggressive and unfriendly, and to a newly employed person productive forces capable of returning him to real life, seem to be outright enemies.

Of course, to get out of the captivity of idleness and longing for the past, to improve life and get back on your feet, to regain the ability to pay bills on your own and enjoy life - this is a real stress, there is no need to even argue. Not everyone stands the test of new opportunities, but those who take risks and follow a new path eventually thank fate for the chance to improve their lives.

A good thing is vacation. You can lie in bed for half a day, and then lazily drink coffee to the news and think about going out today, or you can live without bread for a day. Or take a ticket and go somewhere to distant lands, where the boss will not call demanding to immediately solve some paramount problem right now, and where you don’t need to worry about “daily bread” in the form of preparing breakfast-lunch-dinner, their and so we will be served. That's just the vacation is so fleeting that it's just in front of us whole month rest and doing nothing, and now everything is abruptly like this: life is over and tomorrow you have to go to work. How to force yourself to work after a long break?

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And it seems that they had a good rest during the vacation, and saved up some strength, and it would be possible with such forces to turn mountains, turn back rivers ... But when you come to your home office and see your desk with a bunch of papers and a dusty monitor, you start abruptly I don't want to understand, and I can't. You put in a lot mental strength, in order to set yourself up for a working mood, you start to do something diligently for 5 minutes, 10 and 15. And then you realize that your neck and back are numb, your pen has disappeared somewhere (and you just were there, well, here was), colleagues nearby on the phone speak as if they are trying to shout to Mars, the whole office looks disgusting and gloomy and you want to immediately run away from here, although everything was just fine before going on vacation.

Do we recognize ourselves? Congratulations, you are a victim of post-vacation syndrome. And this phenomenon is by no means so rare: it affects about half of all workers. This manifests itself in the form of stress, irritation, incomprehensible feelings of anxiety and nervousness. This syndrome causes frequent headaches, chest pains, causes insomnia, and if it is present, most importantly, you absolutely do not want to work! And I don’t feel like it to such an extent that American researchers even calculated that approximately 80% of all resignation letters are written after a vacation, when a person returns to work and understands that something urgently needs to be changed right now.

Although not everyone suffering from this syndrome does this. Some try to extend the vacation time, and go on sick leave, or on additional leave at their own expense.

Well, the most conscious ex-vacationers are trying to fix this situation, and help yourself overcome both a decrease in performance and a deterioration in health and mood.

According to psychologists, this syndrome appears in people due to the following reasons:

During a vacation, a person absolutely ceases to adhere to any particular rhythm, goes to bed deep after midnight and gets up when the workers have even managed to take a lunch break.

Fans of extreme types of recreation have time to get tired during the holidays so that their body simply requires a period of rest and sleep.

During the vacation, a habit appeared to do everything slowly, “with laziness”, and the body lost the habit of “rushing” around the apartment at half past seven in the morning in search of clothes.

Also, a person has time to get used to choose independently - what to do first, and what can be safely postponed until later. With going to work, this freedom of choice is lost for him - there is something that needs to be done, and done right now.

Well, after a vacation, a person begins to clearly understand that he does not like his work, he does not receive any satisfaction from it, which means that “they don’t carry him there”.

So, in order to protect yourself from getting a post-holiday syndrome, you should spend your vacation in such a way as to disrupt your usual rhythm to a minimum (do not go to bed very late, and get up an hour or two later than usual, and not at sunset). In case you are leaving somewhere, do not go to work immediately upon return, calculate the date of your return so that you still have a day or two to rest and recover. Well, the day before going to work, try to “go down to earth” and read corporate news, brush up on some of the data that you worked with before going on vacation, contact colleagues and ask what happened in your absence.

On the day you go to work on the road, try to remember what good this job gives you, try to plan your day so that every hour you have 10 minutes to rest. During the break, do not stay at your workplace - it is better to go outside and get some air. And do not take your vacation photos with you - only disturb your soul with them, and you will not be able to tune in to the working mood. And, of course, praise yourself for every success, for every task completed (even if it was very small) - after all, you may not wait for such recognition from your boss.

How to force yourself to work after a long break? If all these tips did not help, and there is still no desire to work ... Then maybe you should think - what if you are among those very 80% of vacationers, and it's time for you to think about changing your activities?