WomenCo.

My tip for those wanting to get back into the work force is to try out temporary work for a while if you can't find full-time work.

I was self-employed for 8 years and had been trying all that time to get back into a full-time job. I worked many times for companies under a temporary contract. Quite often the company wanted to hire me but for various reasons (they didn't have the open position, lack of funding, etc.) they weren't able to hire me at that time. Part of the problem was also that I had a higher degree than the job called for and they felt I wouldn't stay if I was hired. They were probably right.

However, I managed to get on with a company who put me to work in a field that I had similar experience to the job they were seeking. They were a govt. contractor and the contract that was being rebid was going to be announced within the 6 months I was hired to work doing contract closeout. The announcement came months after I was working there (as a temp) and they lost the rebid. During that time, I had been applying for jobs elsewhere...including out-of-state. I didn't think I would be lucky enough to get a job in another state because there were so many people looking for jobs. However, if you have skills that are on the rare side, you are far more marketable than you may realize. That's what I came to discover. I interviewed for 2 jobs in another state and 2 jobs within my own state. I managed to snag the out-of-state job and best of all...it's going to pay me $35,000 more than I was making as a temp! (That's not including the benefits, too!) A lot of this luck I had was just being in the right place at the right time (getting the temp job) that gave me the "recent" experience I needed to apply for the out-of-state job. Being open to move to another state opened many more doors to me. I came to discover that there are not a lot of people doing the work that I'm doing and that we're highly desirable. I'm definitely not making less than a man makes, too.

So keep your options open to possibilities elsewhere and don't think that companies won't move you to another state in this economy...they will. Although there are lots of people looking for work, it's what you know that can make the difference.

By the way, the company that hired me knew I never did the job they are hiring me to do...they are taking a chance that I can do it...and I know I can! They are giving me the opportunity to show my abilities...that's the kind of company I've always wanted to find. I consider myself extremely fortunate now and hope that those of you who are out there looking right now will keep the faith in yourselves and your abilities. Someone will see your brilliance if you always let yourself shine. I did it by believing in myself.

All the best to everyone of you who are out there looking for your future. By the way, working for myself all those years gave me the confidence that I could pull through and make it whenever I had to...so can you.

Here's to you!!!