cloche rappelled: Women in the Workforce: Stepping Up Again in 2012

This Labor Day, we at YouTern would like to send a special message with our words of encouragement to women in the workforce?

Back in the 1940?s, Rosie the Riveter was the iconic woman of the day.

Several decades later, in the Seventies, Women?s Liberation helped to raise women?s pay.

Now in 2012, women entrepreneurs and women re-entering the workforce are leading the way.

Our country needed women to work when our men went to fight in WWII. We obliged, and felt more liberated than ever. At the end of the war most women went back home. Those who remained in the workforce often felt trapped under a glass ceiling.

Equal pay for equal work was the new ? and just ? cause. At least for some, the glass ceiling was raised and women ? the daughters and grand-daughters of Rosie the Riveter ? forged ahead in the work place.

Now, in our worst economy since the 1920s, women ? those in career transition, those with established careers, and women entrepreneurs ? are once again stepping up.

Isn?t it nice to know that, as women, we can go out and make a decent living for ourselves and our families? Granted, some of us had no choice. With our significant others laid-off, some women who had left the work force (for school, home responsibilities, etc.) now find themselves in a situation where they must work again.

This has lead to many potential problems. And just as many, or more, solutions!

Gap in Experience, Same Industry

With a gap in work experience on your resume, and so many people looking for work, how do you set yourself apart?

First, be clear and confident about the reason you left the workforce ? and be proud. Do not make excuses. Do not look at the floor. Make good eye contact, state the reason for the employment gap, and then turn it into a positive. After all, your work as a homemaker, mother or student (time management, delegation, new skills learned?) is very important and viable as almost any job.

You are extraordinarily capable of rejoining the work force ? even after a lapse of time in employment.

Gap in Experience, New Industry

For some of us, the work we used to do may no longer exist. Now is the time to choose a new career ? and you need experience to get you over the competitive hump. To combat this situation, you simply must jump back into the fray ? and be willing to start from scratch. By doing so, you?ll place yourself much closer to the front of the pack.

Intern

Despite popular opinion, an intern is more than what you see on the prime time medical dramas.

Internships now exist across all industries ? and occur all year round. They can be 10 to 20, even 40 hours a week ? and very flexible in nature. Some ?virtual internships? even allow you to work from home, around your existing schedule. And most are paid ? so you?ll earn some income right now.

An internship is a great way to show your passion, work ethic and experience while learning new skills.

Volunteer

Choose a nonprofit organization that needs your help, or a company that interests you. Volunteer, with a ?no strings attached? element, and then use your skill set to gain experience and show your potential employer your abilities.

Volunteering for organizations that are not a potential employer is also highly rewarding. And, by volunteering you not only display your work ethic, you grow your own confidence in a ?Hey, I can do this!? way.

Freelance Projects

Working short term projects is a great way to gain work experience ? and fill those gaps in your resume.? Plus, you?ll be able to set your own timelines and cost structure.

Project-based tasks also place you back in the position of dealing with hard deadlines and pressure ? and come with a tremendous feeling of accomplishment when completed.

I No Longer Know Anybody in the Industry

Two words: Social Media.

With your Facebook and a Twitter account, not knowing anyone isn?t a long term problem. Get a cup of tea, or a glass of red wine, sit somewhere quiet, fire up your social media application of choice ? and go for it!

Put the word out that you?re looking for freelance work, an internship, or a job!

To everyone who will listen? enthusiastically tell them your skill set, your passion, and everything else that makes you employable.

Don?t know where to start? On Twitter, join a chat designed just to help you find work. Two of my favorites: #jobhuntchat on Mondays and #hfchat (hf = Hire Friday) on Fridays. Both were created to provide support in the job search.

I Have No Idea What I?m Doing

Okay, one more word: Mentor.

While you?re in those social media chats, begin seeking out a mentor to guide your internship/job search. Many mentors exist on Twitter, and all are more than willing to assist ? that?s why they?re there!

A mentor can help you learn the ropes ? both in social media and new job search techniques ? and reduce your learning curve significantly.

How do you find a mentor on Twitter? Start by doing a Twitter search on #jobadvice or #career. You?ll have a myriad of professionals and experts to choose from.

If you?re a woman in the position of reentering the workforce?

Dust off your suits and boots. Hold your head up high. Greet with your eyes and a good handshake.

Your role as a woman now is to work for your family. What better cause is there?? You deserve applause, and gratitude.

Go get ?em, Rosie!

About the Author: Deb Babbitt, is co-founder of YouTern and a lifelong mentor advocate. In her spare time, she is an Aerospace Engineer, a mother and grandmother.