Hey, it's Rachel Cook, your modern mentor. And today's episode is for anyone who has taken a pause from work,

whether by chance or by choice, and you're thinking about jumping back in. We'll focus on specific

actions you can take immediately in order to set yourself up for success. Here we go. Throughout the course of 2020,

millions of people left or were forced to leave the workforce. Corporate layoffs,

ailing relatives, and the need to homeschool children combined to drive unemployment levels

to record highs. And now, millions are ready to find their way back

to work. But jumping back in, finding and landing just the right job can be challenging after a pause.

Uncertainty, anxiety, and overwhelm are present for many. But if you've decided your moment for

re-entry is now, then here are some tips to support you on your journey.

First, assess your needs. Don't assume that jumping back in exactly where you left off is the right

move for you. Time has passed and things have changed. You may have changed. And what you need or want,

or what you're ready for, may have evolved.

When you're in the flow of work, autopilot takes over, leaving us going through the motions

without really pausing to reflect on the experience. Now that you've had a break, you have this beautiful

opportunity to be reflective. So don't squander it. Be thoughtful about the last role you held,

and consider how much you want your next role to be similar or different. Ask yourself a few

questions about your last job. Do I want to return to the content of that job? Was it engaging,

challenging, and meaningful? How well had I defined and protected my boundaries? Was that

job working with my lifestyle? What have I learned about the culture of a company I want to work for?

What do I miss most and least about my previous job? Let your responses guide you in selecting the

next possible role or career path.

Next, revise history. Now it's time to begin updating your resume, your LinkedIn profile,

...