There are a few people who have approached me for advice on returning to the workforce after a hiatus, i.e. home with children, taking care of a loved one, recovering from illness, etc. Overwhelmingly their biggest question is what to do about the gap between their last job and the present.
My first piece of advice is don’t let this scare you away. The beautiful thing about marketing communications, writing, and public relations is that they all lend themselves to freelance and telecommuting work.
And while it is true that one’s skills may dull during a break from work, I guarantee you still have it. Much like riding a bike, thoughts and processes are not gone forever. With practice and a new mindset, they will come back. Start reading your trade magazines whatever they may be and use the Internet as a resource. There are endless sites with great information.
So, how do you explain the gap? First of all, decide how much of a gap you really have. While you may not have been working full-time or even freelancing, chances are you were doing something that you might be able to translate into relevant work experience.
Not all of it is appropriate. Volunteering at the preschool bake sale isn’t going to help your credentials, but chairing a committee, producing a newsletter, or managing a program will. Think about any volunteer positions that used your skills: writing, designing, managing, organizing, conceptualizing, etc.
Add these positions carefully to your experience, offsetting it as “Volunteer Experience” from your “Professionalism Experience.” Be sure to couch your experience in the most professional context so that it is easy for potential employers to relate the experience to the position they’re looking to fill.
If you don’t have anything to add, think about volunteering so you will have something to add to your resume. You might also want to consider writing some articles or doing a marketing project pro bono just for relevant, current experience.
Don’t give up. The hardest part is getting back into it. But once you have a project or two, you’ll find it much easier to plug along.
Anyone else want to share some advice?