Jun 23, 2019 | Divorce, Family Law
For some, school is their entire lives. For many others, however, going to school was never a thought. Or if it was, they put in their time and got out. But what about going to school post-divorce? Is this new chapter of your life sparking an interest in a certain field? Perhaps your new single lifestyle should be accompanying a new career. If this is the case for you, consider these tips when going back to school.
School Post-Divorce: Making Positive Changes
Get Up to Date
If you’ve been out of school for a while, your chunky laptop might not make the cut any more. Going to school post-divorce might require you to treat yourself to some new technology! New developments in tech mean more accessible textbooks and classroom resources. Tablets, laptops, and convertible laptops are great tools to set your new class off just right.
Know Your Comfort Zone
Going to school may be out of your comfort zone. It’s refreshing to push yourself and your boundaries. It’s important to remember, however, that your life is much different than the last time you were in school. For your first semester back to school post-divorce, make sure you don’t overload it.
Focus on Finances
Keep in mind that school post-divorce costs just as much as it did pre-divorce. While financial aid, grants, and scholarships are available, they rarely cover every expense you have. Keep these financial responsibilities in mind when deciding to go back to school.
Be Confident
If you’re returning to school post-divorce, there’s a good chance you will be slightly older than your fresh-faced peers. Don’t worry! Know that you deserve your spot in the class just as much as everyone else. You can connect with new people and groups on campus, which might be a good idea for those in need of new hobbies.
You deserve the benefit of going to school post-divorce. If you are trying to decide if this is right for you, you might start with class you have a genuine interest in. Classes like these could include the arts or music. Do whatever you feel will serve yourself best.
Dec 6, 2018 | Divorce, Family Law
Divorce leads to changes in how your day-to-day life operates. One of the areas that can include is employment. You might’ve been a stay-at-home parent during your marriage, but you’re finding that your new financial situation means you need a better source of income. No matter the motive, it can be stressful to think about job hunting. To help make this process easier, we have put together a few things to consider before looking for post-divorce employment…
Post-Divorce Employment: Considerations Before Looking
Figure Out What You Want To Do
The first thing to consider when thinking about post-divorce employment is what kind of job you’d like to pursue. Are you looking for something similar to what you used to have, or something entirely new? Do you need to work full-time, or would part-time make ends meet? Make sure to consider things related to your divorce as well. For instance, you might want flexible hours so you can spend more time with your children. You might also want to consider if a job has benefits, such as healthcare, if you find yourself without after the divorce. Ultimately, this is your livelihood, so it’s important to take time to really consider what you’re looking for rather than rushing right back in.
Start To Search
Once you decide on your post-divorce employment path, the next step is to begin searching. Luckily, there’s plenty of online job boardsthese days to use to look. To maximize your chances of finding a quality position, it helps to cast a wide net across several sites. Additionally, make sure your resume is up-to-date. Take time and customize it to fit your wants in a new career. If you’re applying in a field you’re familiar with, make sure to highlight your hands-on experience and skills. For new industries you might be exploring, use your enthusiasm for the job and show how experience you have from other fields translates into the one you’re interested in.
Prepare For Interviews
Once you begin looking for post-divorce employment, you will want to prepare yourself for potential interviews. Planning ahead of time can help reduce the anxiety and stress that comes with an interview. Instead, you’ll be able to focus on making your great first impression to your potential new boss. Think about which skills and experience you want to emphasize, and let your personality shine through instead of being shrouded in anxiety. Furthermore, be upfront about your employment gap. Whether you were a stay-at-home parent, or took some time off during the divorce— it helps to give your potential employer some context. Sharing a few details can feel a bit awkward, but, not only will most interviewers be understanding, they’ll also appreciate the honesty.
Looking for post-divorce employment can be difficult. However, the end result of finding that right job for you makes it worth it. Having patience and using some of the tips here can help make sure you get that new dream job.
