Going back to work after a divorce can be a hard adjustment, especially for former stay-at-home parents. You have been out of the workforce for a while, but your new lifestyle requires getting back out there and finding a position that will support your family. Working again post-divorce can seem daunting, but once you get to it— the change might be welcome.
Working Again Post-Divorce: Finding a New Path
Figure out your interests
When working again post-divorce, you should want to find a job that fits you. Working a job you don’t like will lead to burnout, and just make you feel miserable. Same goes for if you try and get a job in a field you used to work in. If you no longer enjoy that work, there’s nothing wrong with finding something new.
One good way to do this is by talking to a career counselor. These counselors can help point you in the right direction when it comes to finding jobs that fit your interests. Plus, they can also help you with things like interview prep, pay negotiation, and other related tasks.
Figure out your financial situation
Working again post-divorce is mainly determined by your financial needs. Do you find yourself in sudden need of money? If so, you’ll probably be more flexible about the jobs your willing to take on. However, this could change depending on the outcome of your divorce.
Say that you end up with alimony or child support from your divorce. Depending on your situation, this might be enough to help you get by for a bit. That way, you don’t have to rush and find a new job, but can look for something which really fits you.
Get some more education
A lot of well-paying jobs these days require some kind of higher education. Therefore, it might help to include some more education as part of your plan for working again post-divorce. Getting some more advanced study in can open up opportunities you previously didn’t have.
Plus, these days, it’s a lot easier to get this higher education. Many colleges or community colleges offer online programs which you can better fit into your schedule. That way, you can get your degree while also taking care of things at home.
