4 Steps to Reentering the Workforce After Divorce
If you are going through a divorce, it’s likely you will need to increase your income as the dust settles. But what if you haven’t worked in years? If you are contemplating employment after a long absence, today's workplace may feel like a different world than the one you left years ago.
Many divorced people find themselves in this situation. If your spouse has been the breadwinner for many years, it can be difficult to know if you need to find a job after divorce - and, if so, to decide what job to pursue.
Follow the steps below to clarify what future employment could look like for you.
Pause and get creative
Before you embark on a job search, take the time to consider what type of work fits your current life situation. Just because you have a degree in something or used to work in a certain field doesn’t mean you have to jump right back into the same lane.
Many parents find jobs with flexible hours at their children’s schools, their local YMCA, or their faith organizations. If you’re not constrained by childcare needs, you can consider working at your favorite bookshop, coffeehouse, or restaurant.
Talk with close friends and family about your strengths and how they could translate to a work setting. If you need some unbiased guidance, consider an online strengths test or career quiz.
If you decide you want to return to your old field, email former colleagues and let them know of your situation. Some might work for new companies that are hiring. Others might have a friend of a friend with a job lead. Don’t be afraid to lean on your old network - as many as 80% of jobs are filled by word-of-mouth recruiting.
2. Crunch some numbers
Once you have an idea of the type of job you want, it’s crucial to factor in two numerical truths: time and money.
First, be realistic about how much time you have to commit to a job. If you have children, you may have less time to work or only be able to work during school hours. If you are involved in other activities like a faith community or volunteer organization, decide if you can let any of these commitments go for the sake of employment.
Next, decide how much money you’d like your job to provide. If you are still going through the divorce process, knowing exactly how much you’ll need to maintain your lifestyle can be hard. Also, things like spousal or child support can drastically affect your income.
For now, a good starting point is to calculate your expenses. Here at Haas Mediation, we provide clients with a budgeting sheet to help them understand how much they spend and what they spend it on. Determining how much money you need monthly to maintain your current lifestyle helps make decisions clearer. Ask yourself if there is anything you are willing to give up if needed. Is there anything you are unwilling to sacrifice? Keep the ultimate total in mind as your divorce progresses.
3. Clean up your résumé
After you clarify the details of cash flow, it’s time to dust off your résumé. Find the latest copy on your computer or in your filing cabinet and read it over. Consider the following updates:
Volunteer gigs. Make a list of places you’ve volunteered during your employment gap.
Boards and committees. If you’ve been a part of your local school board or your faith organization’s steering committee, add that to the list.
Classes. Coursework - whether it’s collegiate or at your local community center - is worth adding to your résumé as well.
With these additions ready to go, turn to an online résumé builder such as www.resumehelp.com to assist you with updating and designing your résumé. If you need more guidance than a website can give, check in with the alumni office of your former college or your local community center for one-on-one assistance.
4. Take it one day at a time
If you’re still feeling overwhelmed, that’s normal. Reentering the workforce after a long absence is daunting, and searching for a job feels like a job in and of itself! Layered on top of divorce proceedings, it can all start to feel like too much to handle.
Here at Haas Mediation, we understand the difficulties you are facing. We’ve worked with couples like you and your spouse, navigating every little detail of divorce. Mediation can provide an equitable, amicable way to determine asset division, child support, and more.
In a lawyer-led divorce, each party might feel in the dark about their spouse’s wishes. In mediation, the couple gets to make each decision together so they both feel empowered and equipped for the next phase of life, whether it includes employment or not.
We are ready to help you navigate the entire divorce process, including concerns about reentering the workforce. Schedule a free fifteen-minute consultation today.
Interested in learning more?
- Andrew Haas, Founder & Principal Mediator
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