You are not alone if you are returning back to work after a long time out of the workplace. For some this is a highly daunting prospect and not knowing where and how to start back on the ladder can be perplexing.

However, numerous people have taken time out from work for a variety of reasons. You may be a Mom who has been taking care of your children, you may have been off due to illness or personal reasons, you may have fulfilled a dream such as travel or embarked on a business venture. Whatever the reason, returning back to the workplace after a while away needn’t be stressful and there are ways to utilise the skills and experience you have gained whilst away and put them back into a working environment.

Where to start?
So where do you begin? For a start you are already being proactive by logging onto Jobstreet.com and reading this article so you have already taken a step in the right direction. Surfing the net is a good way to begin and usually if you type in ‘jobs’ together with the country you intend to work in, you will find some sites and be able to browse around the jobs available in the marketplace. Your local newspaper will also host a list of the jobs available, so simply buy a copy and find out when the jobs are advertised. Another way is to locate your nearest Careers Advice Centre. The best way to this is to go to your local library and they will point you in the right direction. Before long you will uncover every avenue to find yourself the job you want.

What can you offer?
Just because you have been away from the workplace does not mean you are useless or don’t have any experience or skills to offer.

Jenny Cartwright had been a housewife and mother for six years. Her children were in the full swing of school life and she was starting to get bored and restless at home. “I fell pregnant as soon as we were married and my life revolved around the welfare of my family. It still does. Although I love my family very much there was always a void in my life. I wanted to have a little independence, to earn my own money, to interact with other adult people. But I didn’t have any qualifications and there seemed nothing I could offer to any company.” However Jenny was determined and she went to seek some advice from her local career adviser. Eventually, she was made to realise that she had acquired excellent organisational skills, was great at timekeeping and meeting personal and familial deadlines. One of her children was autistic and she had acquired great patience too and the ability to juggle many things at once. But what type of job could she apply for and who would be willing to interview her?

Eventually she found a job that interested her -- selling airtime for a local television station. However, they were asking for experience and a maximum age of thirty, Jenny is 32. She applied for the position anyway and heard absolutely nothing. The following week she called the Advertising Manager directly and he told her in no uncertain terms that she was wasting her time. Jenny was dismayed and nearly decided to give up hope altogether. One morning she took her kids to school but instead of going home to do the housework, for some reason she drove to the building that housed the advertising company. She asked politely if she could see the manager and said she would wait all day just to get five minutes of his time. After two hours of waiting he turned up. Jenny decided to go for it. She explained her situation and determination to get a job in an established and reputable company. She also explained that she knew she did not have any experience or qualifications, but she did have one trait that was much needed in sales: determination and the will to succeed at all costs. The sales manager was so impressed with her attitude that he offered her a position there and then.

Jenny enthused: “I just went for it. I knew I had the qualities that would be great for sales and why shouldn’t they employ me. I will always keep an open mind when I interview anyone, all people have different circumstances and doors should not be shut so quickly.”

Annette Tan had decided to take a year off after University to travel through Europe. She thought that by seeing the world, employers would welcome her independence and her will to explore and learn about other civilisations and cultures. When she decided to enter into the workplace she knew she would have to draw on the experience gained whilst travelling to secure a good job. Whilst in England on her travels, she had taken a part-time job in an antique shop in Cambridge for three months and learnt quickly about the antique market. Although she didn’t realise it, on her return to Singapore when she applied for a variety of jobs several companies were interested in what she had learnt often on a personal level. She realised that antiques created much interest in the country and decided to see if she could pursue a career in this area. Eventually after approaching several antique companies in the country she was offered a position in an established company who were highly impressed with her international knowledge.

Annette is aspiring to have her own antique shop one day. “It’s strange the experience that you pick up in life without even knowing it. I am completely dedicated to the antique business and will continue to learn as much as possible. It’s a great and very interesting business to be in,” she added.

Jessica Yeo was an English teacher at an international school in Singapore. At the age of 25, she discovered that she had a brain tumour, which meant she would have to be out of the workplace for at least a year. After the tumour had been removed Jessica was in constant pain and needed several months for recuperation. Jessica utilised her time positively and when not in pain worked voluntarily for a charity at weekends by collecting money on the streets and organising fundraising activities when she was physically able to do so. Her life changing experience had made her physically unable to go back to full time employment and she was worried just how she would support herself and keep herself occupied.

Her experience in fundraising meant she had acquired skills other than teaching and she decided to see if she could work for the charity as a part time employee. Eventually they came to a mutual agreement and Jessica works on a part time basis, receiving a salary and can work at her own pace as long as she meets monthly targets and continues to organise fundraising events. “When your health dictates whether you can work or not, you have to see how you can use your skills in a job that suits both your experience and your health. It may not be easy, but there are compassionate people out there who will adapt to you if you are willing to work hard for them, when you can. Just keep on looking and don’t give up!”

Whatever your situation, how ever long you have been out of the workplace the saying goes that where there’s a will there’s a way. In reality, being out of work for a while may cause doors to close more often than not. However, do not be deterred. Keep persevering and eventually you will find that one door will open and someone will be willing to give you a chance. Good luck!

No qualifications - Who’s going to employ you?
In this day and age it seems that any company of any standing requires qualification after qualification. Go to any newspaper and look at the ‘requirements’ and more often than not they will ask for a Degree or numerous qualifications that you haven’t even heard of. So you want to obtain a good career, but you don’t have any qualifications, are you going to fall by the wayside, do you need to get yourself back to college or can you gain a career that will take you on your ability rather than the certificates you have or the letters after your name?

Types of jobs to go for
For some professions you have to have training and qualifications such as medicine, teaching and law. However there are numerous jobs which work on a hands-on basis, where the only qualification you need is the desire to do well, a positive attitude and the ability to work hard and effectively. However, getting your foot in the door via a resume that illustrates that you don’t have any qualifications can be difficult.

Stuart Tan 32, left school at the age of 16 without taking any qualifications apart from his O Levels. He simply wanted to plunge into work and get into a career as soon as possible. “I did not want to spend three years at University, I wanted to earn my own money, get my own place and get on with it.”

He found that several doors remained closed and employers would not even acknowledge his phone call. However because he was young, doors eventually opened to him and employers realised he was of an age where they could train him and teach him the ropes from scratch. So at the age of 16 he became a sales representative for an international steel purchasing company and has never looked back. However, Stuart did feel that he had to prove himself a little more that others with qualifications. “My colleagues with a Degree were automatically seen as intelligent and educated. Although there were no blatant barriers, I always felt that I had to push myself a little further and run that extra mile to show my bosses that I too was intelligent and equal to my educated colleagues.”

Yet for some gaining a job is not so easy without qualifications and especially when youth is not on your side. Nicholas Pelligrini, 30, had worked as a teacher in a local Primary school in Singapore. He enjoyed his job, but after four years of teaching realised that this was not the career he wanted to have for life. Although he did have a Degree, which would open doors, it was not in the profession he was passionate about, which was computing. He realised that he may have to study again if he wanted to take a different path. “At school I was always the first to volunteer to take extra computer classes for the pupils. I was teaching the children but also learning new skills, which I would use in class. I had to know everything, children are always inquisitive and I had to be on the ball, especially in an age where kids often know more than adults do,” Nick explained. Nick really didn’t want to go back to University. He had financial commitments and a family to feed. He decided however to send his resume to a handful of computer companies to see what the response would be.

After sending out 20 resumes, he received two replies eventually. One reply from an international computer training company caught his eye especially. They were impressed with Nick’s experience and were interested to meet him to see how they could work together. After an initial meeting, Nick was introduced to the idea of becoming a computer trainer for their company. The job would entail going into companies to teach employers how to use the company’s computers and also lecturing large groups about the advantages of their computers and how to use them to their full potential. The role appealed to Nick, he was highly experienced in teaching and he decided to give the idea a chance. Five years later Nick is now the Director of Training at the Company.

Jane Lee had worked at a local supermarket for three years. She aspired to be trained as a Manager and as a loyal employee wanted to stay within the company. However, every time she approached her management about the possibility to be considered for such a position they would always ask what her qualifications were and did she have a degree. Jane was determined to get on the ladder and decided to take the bull by the horns. She enrolled at night school and studied for a Degree in Business Management. After six months she approached her lecturer and asked if he would write a letter to her employees regarding her ability to go into management. Jane took the letter to her boss, who in turn took it to the general manager. A couple of weeks later they called her into a meeting and enthused about her dedication to the company and her willingness to take herself through night school without even approaching the company for sponsorship. She was then told that the company would be willing to pay for half of the course and she would automatically be offered a managerial position once she had completed the course and passed.

Perhaps then, it may be necessary to gain a qualification whilst you are employed to gain the career that you want. Alternatively, there are ways and means to get the career you want with dedication, perseverance and commitment. Although some jobs do require qualifications, many employers can be persuaded to give you a chance if you illustrate the right attitude and a willingness to learn quickly and effectively. Do not give up if the advert stipulates ‘only those with a Degree need apply’. Often those in managerial positions today do not have qualifications but have simply worked their way up the career ladder and worked hard for their position in the company. You never know when your resume drops on their lap they might find something in you that is similar to them. Eventually with perseverance you will secure the job you want if you are willing to go that extra mile. Good Luck!