Tips@work is a monthly feature of job-related topics that include tips from men and women working in different fields who share what they've learned along the way. THIS MONTHS TOPIC: > Achieving a work-life balanace PREVIOUS TOPICS COVERED: > Transitioning effectively from one job to another > E-mail etiquette > Managing first days on a new job > Tapping into the hidden job market > Challenging Interview Questions > Impress in interviews > Question Time > Reducing job interview anxiety > Re-entering the workforce > Effective cover letters

On the Job is a weekly column profiling various employment options in Nova Scotia.

THIS WEEKS FEATURED CAREER:
> PARAMEDICS

PREVIOUSLY FEATURED CAREERS:
> ACCOUNTANTS
> AIRCRAFT TECHNICIANS
> ANNOUNCERS
> ARTISTS
> ATHELETES, COACHES, SPORTS OFFICIALS AND RECREATION PROGRAMMERS
> AUDIO AND VIDEO RECORDING TECHNICIANS
> BAKER
> CHEFS
> COMMUNICATIONS OFFICERS
> CONSERVATORS AND CURATORS
> COUNSELLORS
> DRAFTING TECHNICIANS
> EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS/ASSISTANTS
> ECONOMIST
> ENGINEERING TECHNICIANS AND TECHNOLOGISTS
> FASHION DESIGNERS
> LIMOUSINE DRIVERS
> PHARMACIST
> PLUMBER
> BEAUTY TREATMENT
> BOAT BUILDERS
> BRICKLAYER
> BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OFFICERS
> COMMERCIAL DIVERS
> CONSTRUCTION LABOURER
> ELECTRONICS
> FUNERAL DIRECTORS AND EMBALMERS
> GUIDANCE COUNSELLORS
> HAIRSTYLIST
> HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGERS
> IMAGE, SOCIAL AND OTHER PERSONAL CONSULTANTS
> INFORMATION, CORRESPONDENCE AND LIBRARY CLERKS
> INFORMATION SYSTEMS ANALYSTS AND CONSULTANTS
> INSTRUCTORS
> INTERACTIVE MEDIA DEVELOPERS
> JOURNALISTS
> LAWYERS
> LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE
> LOCKSMITH
> LOGGING MACHINERY OPERATOR
> MACHINE OPERATORS
> MANAGERS
> MAP-MAKERS
> MECHANIC
> MOTOR VEHICLE BODY REPAIR TECHNICIAN
> MUSEUM, GALLERY CAREERS
> OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
> PARALEGAL
> PERFORMERS
> PRACTITIONERS IN NATURAL HEALING
> SALES SUPERVISORS
> SALES AND SERVICE SUPERVISORS
> SOCIAL POLICY
> STATIONARY AND POWER ENGINEERS
> TECHNOLOGISTS
> TRANSLATORS
> TRAVEL COUNSELLOR
> TRUCK DRIVER
> MARINERS
> VETERINARIANS
> WEB DESIGNERS AND DEVELOPERS

For more career options, check out Nova Scotia Education Department Career Options website.

If you're preparing to re-enter the workforce after an absence, this month's column is for you. We asked our contributors for tips on how to make that re-entry effectively, and they responded. Read on to find out more from women and men working in different fields who are willing to share what they've learned along the way.

Re-entering the workforce after an absence is a great opportunity to reassess what truly makes you happy. Make a list of those things and match that to jobs that can fulfill your list. Make the effort to be true to your list - don't take a job just for the paycheck. You alone have the power to pursue your passion. Get to it!
Tim Oldfield
Partner
Performance House Marketing

Make sure your resume is clear about where you see yourself fitting in...i.e. "starting over," "mid-level," or "experienced and senior regardless of the absence away from the workforce." If a potential employer has any reservations about you at all, it is probably ONLY about where you'd "fit" in terms of overall experience and absence.
Aileen P. Reid
CEO
APREID INSURANCE STORES LIMITED

If you want to enter into the retail industry, you have to be prepared to work hard, longer hours than most people think. You have to be there for the consumer. If you would like to work in retail, show your enthusiasm and willingness to work hard to your potential employer.
Joel Venisse
Co-owner
Unicorn

When re-entering the workforce, it is important to review your goals and evaluate your skills. You may need to brush up on them depending on the length of time away from the workforce. Next, get your resume updated. Add skills you may have acquired while absent. Also, make contact with people you know in your area of interest. Finally, first impressions are lasting impressions. Be prompt, neat and well groomed for your interview.
Janice Butler
President
Eastern Building Cleaners Inc.

Before you do anything else, do this:
Check in with your confidence level.
What do you believe about yourself as an employee?
Don't underestimate your performance level.
Don't overestimate the performance level of others.
Your absence from the workplace didn't take place in a void.
It is not a debit.
How have you grown during your absence?
List your new strengths. Write them down.
Now stand tall on the inside. It will show on the outside.
Dianne Peck
Coach, Speaker, Author
President
Oh But You Can Coaching

The advice I give my clients is to never apologize or make excuses for your absence. Be comfortable and confident in the decisions you have made. Be prepared to explain your absence during the interview process in a clear and concise manner. Practice your response in advance. Try not to dwell on the subject and instead focus on your future career plans and the transferable skills you can offer a new employer.
Joe Moore
Partner, Career Transition Consultant
Robertson Surrette

So it seems that self-assessment plays an important role in effectively re-entering the workforce after an absence. Determining - and not discounting - the skills you already have, reflecting on where you want to be, and adopting a positive mindset as you take the steps to get there, can result in a smoother transition. Next month we'll weigh in on a challenging job-related subject - how to achieve a good work/life balance.