It happens all the time. One parent is out there making the money while the other stays home to raise the kids and take care of the house, but things start to get stressful. People grow apart. Then come those bone-chilling words: “I want a divorce.”
In situations like these, the stay-at-home parent is often disproportionately disadvantaged. While the process of asset division and the potential for spousal support can help the stay-at-home parent stay afloat in the short term, there are still often lingering issues that can prevent that parent from being able to find gainful employment. Perhaps in the time spent raising the kids and keeping house, the parent has allowed his or her education and training to languish. This means that finding a job to maintain a decent lifestyle can be a daunting process. Here are some tips to help those who are returning to work after divorce:
- Budgeting is key. Reassess your finances, figure out where you stand and then take inventory of your new needs. If you are not able to find quick employment, your assets from your divorce settlement will have to be stretched to cover you until you find work.
- Suppose you get the house, but it’s a three bedroom and the kids have moved out. Do you really need all of that space to yourself? Could you sell it reasonably quickly and move into a more realistically accommodating space? If you can, then the money you get from the sale can be a huge help in moving forward.
- Get help updating your résumé. It has probably been a while since you even looked at yours, and what employers are looking for has likely changed since you last had a job. Ask your friends if you can look over their résumés and see if they will review yours for you.
- When is the last time you sat down for a job interview? It has probably been a while. That means you need to practice! Whether it is in a mirror or in mock interviews with family or friends, you could benefit from a little rehearsal.
- Talk to everyone! Networking is key in our modern job-seeking world. Get on LinkedIn and talk to old friends and coworkers about any opportunities they might be aware of.
- Don’t give up!
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