Working after Divorce: Tips for Landing a New Job

 Posted on January 14, 2016 in Divorce

For most people, divorce brings about many lifestyle changes. Moving, sharing parenting time, and establishing financial independence are all part of the divorce process, and while the transition from married to single life can be difficult, every change is part of a larger process that will hopefully lead you to more personal freedom and happiness. One change that can be particularly challenging is searching for employment post-divorce. If you held a career during your marriage, financial independence will come much easier to you. Maybe, however, you are no longer happy with your current job, and as you transition out of a bad marriage you would like to pursue other career options. Or, if you are like millions of divorced Americans, you were the stay at home parent or did not work during your marriage, and now face the challenge of supporting yourself. Whatever your situation may be, searching for a job after divorce can be difficult. If you have been out of the workforce for a while, you may no longer know what employers are looking for and expecting from potential candidates. Maybe you have not interviewed for a position in 20 years. While landing a good job can seem like a daunting task, following these post divorce job hunting tips will set you well on your way to a new career.

Do Not Limit Yourself

With the seemingly endless number of potential jobs available, choosing a path to pursue can be difficult. If you have been out of the workforce for some time, you may not even be sure of the skills you have to offer. Choosing what jobs to pursue is most likely the biggest challenge for people searching after divorce, and the best advice is simply not to limit yourself. Just because you worked in a field before or during your marriage does not mean you are stuck in that field now. Similarly, just because you have a degree in a certain field does not mean you are limited to only jobs in that field. Many people limit themselves based on past experience, but a new job in a different field may be better for you and your post-divorce lifestyle.

If the sheer number of potential jobs is overwhelming to you, consider working with a job coach. Much like a personal trainer, a job coach will assess your skills and help you determine which job opportunities to pursue. A job coach can help you pinpoint a few areas of interest, and help you look for careers within those fields. They can also help you analyze confusing job descriptions to find jobs that might be a good fit, and help you determine what rates of pay you should be asking for. For someone that has not worked in years, a job coach can do a lot to simplify the career hunt.

Rebuild Your Resume

A good resume is the ticket into any great career, so updating yours is extremely important. Be sure that it is professional looking and devoid of any typos or grammatical errors. Most employers say they simply discard resumes if they are unprofessional in any way. If it has been a while since you have updated your resume, ask a friend or a job coach to help you revise it. List any relevant experience that may be of interest to employers. If you have been a stay-at-home parent for the past few years, do not think you have not been building real work experience. List any volunteer experience, like helping out with fundraising at your child’s school. List any part time jobs and projects you have worked on in the past. List skills you have, even if you have yet to use them in a professional setting. The goal here is to sell yourself to employers, so make yourself as marketable as possible. Once you are finished, seek the help of a professional friend to review your resume.

Network

Let friends, family, and anyone else in your circle know that you are starting to search for a job, and let them help connect you to businesses who are hiring. Contact past coworkers, old bosses, and former connections. People love hearing from old contacts, and will likely be willing to help connect you to current job possibilities. Keep in mind that as difficult as the job search is for you, it is also a challenge for employers to find qualified quality people to hire. Personal references and contacts can go a long way towards landing you a great job. If a friend or family member recommends you for a job, your chances of being hired are significantly higher.

Be sure to use technology while networking as well. Post on Facebook and other social media sites that you are looking for work, and see what opportunities appear. You will likely be surprised by the number of people you have in your social media circles that know of great opportunities just waiting to be filled by quality candidates. Create a LinkedIn account and upload your resume on the site. Employers will be able to see your profile and can inquire if they are interested in you, and you can also use LinkedIn’s job search tool to see what is available in your area.

Dress for the Part

If you were formerly a stay-at-home parent, you may not have the wardrobe necessary to land the types of jobs you are looking for. Dressing for the job you are seeking will not only help you eventually land a job, but it will help boost your self confidence, something that may be lacking after your divorce. If your post-divorce budget is limiting, consider purchasing just one nice outfit to wear to interviews. More clothes to fit the job you get can come after you are hired. If buying a new outfit is too expensive, ask for help from friends and family members.

Practice Interviewing and Selling Yourself

While you may feel depressed or be experiencing low self esteem after your divorce, you need to project confidence and ability while searching for a job. Practice interviewing with friends, family, and even your children. You may not have interviewed in a few years, so it may take a bit of practice. Keep in mind that employers are trying to determine how you will fit in and improve their business, so be sure to sell yourself and the skills you possess. Do not be afraid to bring up why you think you would be a good fit for the position, or to list out some of the qualifications you have that make you well suited for the job. At a serious time, like after a divorce, when you are likely questing yourself constantly, do your best to project self confidence. It can be difficult, but employers are looking for candidates who are sure of themselves and are confident in their professional abilities.

Searching for a new career after divorce can be challenging, stressful, and confusing. With a little preparation, and a lot of confidence, you can make the process easier for yourself. Somewhere, a company is looking for somebody with your attitude and set of skills. Once you are on the other side, and you land a great job, you will find your self confidence will start to build back up again, and you will be well on your way towards complete financial independence.

Aside from landing a job after divorce, financial independence also comes from receiving a fair divorce settlement. If you are about to divorce, you need the help of a qualified Naperville divorce attorney. At the Pesce Law Group, P.C., our aggressive attorneys will work hard to ensure you the best possible outcome from your divorce. We offer litigation and non-litigation solutions, and have years of combined experience working on a variety of divorce cases. Call 630-352-2240 to schedule a consultation with one of our team members today to learn more about your options.

Sources:

http://divorcesupport.about.com/od/lovethenexttimearound/qt/new_job.htm

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jackie-pilossoph/tips-for-going-back-to-wo_b_8907252.html?utm_hp_ref=divorce&ir=Divorce