If you sacrificed your career to be a homemaker during marriage you believe is going to last forever, a decision to divorce can inspire a lot of financial uncertainty. You may wonder if it’s too late to reclaim your career.
Granted, re-entering the workforce when you’ve been missing in action for an extended period can feel overwhelming. However, you may agree that it’s a journey worth embarking on, especially now that you’re transitioning into a new chapter of your life.
Assess your skills and interests
If had a career before becoming a homemaker, this doesn’t mean that you have to pick up where you left off. This is a unique opportunity to assess your skills and interests to determine if you might want to try something different. Despite being away from the career world for a while, you have likely honed valuable skills and acquired various interests that may help you decide on your next career venture.
You want to make sure that by the time you’re rejoining the workforce, you embark on building a career that speaks to your unique skillset and capabilities. You might want to start easy through:
- Volunteer work
- Community involvement
- Part-time work
Testing the waters before you take a plunge can help you gain experience and decide on what kind of work you prefer. Take time to reflect on what you enjoyed about your previous work and what new interests you may have developed. This self-assessment will help you identify suitable career ventures that align with your current strengths and passions.
Network and seek support
Your network can be a powerful asset when re-entering the career world after being away for a while. Don’t shy away from reaching out to former co-workers to help you find suitable job offerings. It can also help to proactively attend:
- Industry events
- Job fairs
- Networking forums
Showing up at such seminars and conventions can help ensure you make new connections and get the contacts you need to propel yourself forward.
Divorcing when you don’t have a source of income can be a great source of financial anxiety. A trusted legal team can help you determine if you qualify for child support and alimony payments. These payments can potentially give you the safety net you need as you figure out a sustainable source of income long-term.