Going Back to Work

(myfoxboston) - Maybe your spouse lost their job, or you're retired, and your income just isn't what it used to be. Getting back into the job market after you have been away for years is something more people are facing. But how do you do it?

In better times, you planned to stay home with the kids, or you jumped at the chance to retire early. If you thought you'd never be out there looking for a job at this stage in your life, you're not alone.

"I think it's brutal," says Stephanie Zoidis, who is looking for work.

The competition is fierce, no matter whom you are, especially if you haven't been in the workforce in years.

"A retiree who wants to go back into the workforce may be competing with his or her own grandchild!" says career coach Roni Noland.

Zoidis, Marilyn Sinanian Stuart and Linnea Romeo are all looking for work.

For years Marilyn was a stay at home mom, but things have changed since her husband was laid off.

"I've been working part time. My daughter she just started high school so I figured now it's time to go back and work full time," says Marilyn Sinanian Stuart, a stay-at-home mom.

Zoidis ran her own business for years, until the economic downturn forced her to sell. She's having a hard time finding anything in the corporate world.

"Running my own business, even though I was in retail and sales, I wasn't part of a large register. I wasn't coming out of an IBM," says Zoidis.

Linnea Romeo retired after working her whole life at a local insurance company. Retirement, for her, isn't what it used to be.

"It's because of the economy. It's also I feel I'm too alive to just sit back and relax all day. This definitely isn't for me," said Romeo.

At Operation A.B.L.E. of Greater Boston they are seeing more and more people looking for help re-entering the workforce.

"They realize I've got to upgrade my skills or I'm not going be competitive in today's job market," says Joan Cirillo of Operation A.B.L.E. "In this class, you learn how to sell yourself."

Her non-profit group also teaches computer skills, interviewing techniques, and helps match people over the age of 45 with employers.

"What the older worker does bring is a higher salary, so they need to prove to the employer when you hire me you hire somebody with seasoning, with expertise, who really doesn't get rattled very often," says Cirillo.

Career Counselor Roni Noland says people looking to get back into the workforce often make the mistake of focusing on the past.

"People really just need to be honest and say yes, I've been out of the workforce for a while but I haven't been idle. Here's some of the things that I've been doing," said Noland.

Experts say, first, know what you want. Research the company you want to work for. Have someone else look at your resume. Then, sign up for social networking sites, like LinkedIn.com.

Finally, spread the word that you're looking for a job.

"Go back to your former employers, go back to your colleagues, go to your neighbors your friends," Noland said.

She says be flexible and realistic and be willing to take a risk on something new. Don't give up.

"It's perseverance, perseverance, perseverance. All you need is one good offer.”

It may not be your ideal job for now, but it’s better to be in the market, than trying to get in.