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.