I’m hoping to return to work after staying home to care for my family for the past 10 years. In the past 12+ years, I have built my “volunteer career” by progressing from doing simple tasks to taking on major responsibilities, initiating some really great projects, and becoming someone who is seen as a leader in my community. I’d like to return to the workforce, preferably in the not-for-profit sector. I’d like to know how to evaluate my own experiences so that I can apply for employment in a challenging, but appropriate, job.

Evaluating where you fit in the new world of work

Career transition can be a very daunting experience for many of us, particularly for those who have been out of the workforce for some time. Software and systems change, new technologies evolve, even entire jobs can be eliminated, and we can easily feel overwhelmed. This can sap our confidence – and at a time when we need that confidence most.

Defining the scope of the challenge

Reading a bit into your question, you are really facing two obstacles: first, you want a job you will like performing and find to be challenging; and second, you want to evaluate your skills to determine how you can get gainful employment, preferably in the not-for-profit sector. I suggest you tackle each of these challenges in this prescribed order. It is much better for your future career and life happiness if you first determine what type of work you will find stimulating and challenging, and then worry about acquiring the skills you will need for that job.

Naturally, many people do this the other way around and start with the skill set they have, or hope to get, and then start looking around for jobs that match that skill set, hoping they will enjoy it. This is quite logical, considering that is why most employers hire people – primarily for their skills and ability to perform the assigned duties well. Whether the successful candidate enjoys the work in question is usually an important, but secondary consideration.

Knocking off two birds with one stone

Fortunately, you have already completed some preliminary steps in your transition process when you took the initiative of volunteering in a leadership capacity within your community. This is a great vantage point from which to start your research to determine the type of work or activities you enjoy most. You can even keep a journal or diary to help isolate the most gratifying tasks. Volunteering can be an excellent way to try new things, with much less risk to your career. Use the contacts in these environments to do some networking and informational interviewing at the same time. These people can be a great resource to help you determine what you like to do, and evaluate your skill set to ease the hiring process. They can also be a great source of job leads once you have decided what it is you want to do.

The key is to remember that you will be employed again at some point in the future. Following the program outlined above will not only help that point in time arrive sooner rather than later, it will also allow you to have a much more enjoyable experience once you are re-employed.

Good luck!

Michael Mayne, M.B.A., CMA, is Managing Partner and a Certified Professional Career Counsellor at Catalyst Careers, a Career Transition, Counselling, and Outplacement firm. Michael has been involved in the not-for-profit sector for many years, and is Past President and Treasurer of ALS Canada. To contact Michael, visit: www.catalystcareers.com.

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Disclaimer: Advice and recommendations are based on limited information provided and should be used as a guideline only. Neither the author nor CharityVillage.com make any warranty, express or implied, or assume any legal liability for accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information provided in whole or in part within this article.