Been out of work for a while? 7 steps to get back into work

been out of work for a while

Have you been out of work for a year? Or perhaps 2 years or longer?

Finding the thought of going back into work quite daunting and not sure what steps to take?

Not to worry, we have listed some steps you can start taking to help you back into employment…

1. Update your CV

The first step to take when stepping back into the world of work would be to update your CV.

It’s important to address the gap in your work history so Hiring Managers / Recruiters understand why you have been out of work for a prolonged period of time.

Here are our tips on writing a CV:

2. Register with the Job Centre

The job centre is a free job seeking service for those who are currently unemployed and applying for Universal Credit.

At the Job Centre you will be assigned to a Work Coach, who will help you to get back into employment, and can provide information about training opportunities for those who are long term employed (also known as chronically unemployed).

You can also use the ‘Find a job’ resource on the GOV.UK website to create an account and start searching and applying for work in your area.

If you’re 50+ and seeking work, the Government have recently announced extra support:

3. Sign up to an agency

Recruitment agencies are another free service to job seekers. Agencies recruit for a wide range of vacancies, including ones that require no previous experience which could be your first stepping stone back into employment.

If you’re not familiar with agencies, you would register with your local agency and make an appointment to come into your local branch. We would then sit down and chat with you about the type of work you were looking for and discuss the current vacancies we were hiring for to see which placement would suit you best.

You can read more about agencies and working for agencies here:

4. Use free resources to learn some new skills

There are lots of free resources out there for you to develop or refresh your skills. Simply Google ‘free courses’ and there are many websites to browse to take a look at free courses available.

There are opportunities to apply for a free level 3 qualification through the GOV.UK website, find out more here
Find free online learning courses on the National Careers Service website here

5. Contact a previous employer

If you’ve been in a previous job(s) that you’ve really enjoyed and would be interested in going back, get in contact with them to ask if they are currently looking to hire, or if they aren’t they may even be able to recommend another company who they know is hiring in their sector.

6. Visit job boards / Search jobs online

There are many job boards available to those who are seeking work including:

Indeed
Monster
Reed
TotalJobs
CV-Library

Take a look at the opportunities available in your local area or at your local Essential branch:

South Yorkshire https://bit.ly/3kHvNpT

Derbyshire https://bit.ly/39I8S7U

Nottinghamshire https://bit.ly/3m0exvM

Staffordshire https://bit.ly/3ibcPXg

Leicestershire https://bit.ly/3zKLMIn

Branch Links

Barnsley https://bit.ly/3faUMhn

Burton https://bit.ly/3fcYRSa

Chesterfield https://bit.ly/3vQNF4u

Doncaster https://bit.ly/3NInFl5

Mansfield https://bit.ly/3xZ43BU

Ripley + Long Eaton https://bit.ly/3tBF6t0

Rotherham https://bit.ly/33vYAEL

Worksop https://bit.ly/3uyEzZY

Did you know Facebook is used widely by job seekers?

Join your local Facebook job groups and keep up to date with new jobs in your area:

7. Sign up to voluntary work

This could be a great way to get back out there, socialising with people and getting back into the habit of working. It could help you to gain some skills and refresh some of the skills you have. It could also be a way to boost your confidence if you’re nervous about working again. Voluntary work also looks great on a CV!

Remember to be realistic

When going back into work, be mindful that you may not get the exact job that you want the first time around. Quite often it can take time to secure your dream job, but it’s important to remember that it’s easier to gain employment through having a job:

Have confidence in yourself

If you’ve been out of work for a while, it can be easy to start doubting yourself. Have confidence in your capabilities! Don’t put too much pressure on yourself, you’ll find the right job for you in time and don’t be afraid to push yourself out of your comfort zone – that’s how we continue to grow! ?

See more helpful tips/advice on our blog: