Whether you're a mom returning to the workforce or bouncing back from pandemic-related unemployment, navigating your workforce re-entry can be intimidating, especially if you have a gap in your employment history.&nbsp;
A gap in employment can feel like a scarlet letter on your professional profile. Still, the reality is that most professionals take time away from work at one time or another during their careers.&nbsp;
When you're ready to return to work, you'll need to determine how and when to address your employment gap. You might also choose to pursue a new certification, revamp your resume, or sharpen <a href="https://www.careercircle.com/quizzes/interview-prep" rel="follow">your interview skills</a>&nbsp;as you prepare for the next step in your career journey.&nbsp;
This blog will explore several steps you can take to reignite your career after taking some time away from work.&nbsp;
<ol>
<li> Make a Realistic Game Plan.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
Before diving back into the job market headfirst, consider everything that's changed since you were last employed. Evaluate your career goals and how they might've changed since you last <a href="https://www.careercircle.com/blog/post/five-ways-to-level-up-your-resume" rel="follow">updated your resume</a>&nbsp;or applied for open roles.&nbsp;
You should also use this opportunity to assess how well your professional and personal goals fit together. Perhaps you have less travel availability or need schedule flexibility to care for your children. Or maybe you're looking to move away from a high-demand position into something that offers more work-life harmony.&nbsp;
Use your revised <a href="https://www.careercircle.com/blog/post/navigating-your-career-journey-5-ways-to-reach-your-career-development-goals" rel="follow">career development goals</a>&nbsp;and priorities to set realistic expectations for your job search. Create a definitive list of required skills, and don't go after high-ranking positions if you're moving into a new industry. Instead, look for entry-level positions that align with any new skills or certifications you've recently acquired. Use those as the first stepping stone into this new phase in your professional development.
The planning stage is also the ideal time to research job titles and positions in your desired field. If you aren't making a drastic <a href="https://www.careercircle.com/blog/post/your-career-transition-how-to-conquer-change-with-confidence" rel="follow">career switch</a>, there's a high probability that certain things about your industry have changed, like the software proficiencies required for a role or how much experience is standard for a mid-level position.&nbsp;
Spend some time researching your industry and the leading organizations within it. Look up adjacent job titles and explore all the ways you can apply your skillsets to a new role, even if the role looks a bit different on paper than you expected. For example, you might find that your new Salesforce Administrator certificate would work well in a Business Analyst role, even if "Salesforce" doesn't appear in the job title.&nbsp;
Use all of your findings from above to create a high-level roadmap that includes:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">An overview of your primary career goals and milestones</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Must-haves and nice-to-haves for your next role&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Any certifications or courses you need to complete&nbsp;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">A rough timeline that covers when you plan to start applying for new jobs&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Your roadmap might change as your career journey progresses, but the framework will help you keep a clear eye on your priorities and how you're tracking toward your long-term career goals, even if you take an unexpected path to reach them.
<ol start="2">
<li> Include the Gap on Your Resume.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
It can be tempting to leave your gap in employment off of your resume, especially since adding it there likely means you'll have to address it during an intro call or interview. However, omitting your gap in employment actually leaves recruiters to fill in the blanks themselves. And even if your work gap was for something above-board, that empty space can raise a red flag and leave employers wondering if you're hiding something about your employment history.&nbsp;
Rather than shying away from your employment gap, <a href="https://www.careercircle.com/resume-builder" rel="follow">address it head-on on your resume</a>. You can format your gap in employment as a line item to the effect of "Out of work due to...[insert explanation]." You don't have to give reviewers the nitty-gritty details, but it's a good idea to provide an overview of your gap, like:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Time off for maternity + parental leave</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Took a 12-month break from the workforce to pursue an Associate's Degree</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Took a sabbatical to focus on professional development</li>
</ul>
Use this section to highlight any <a href="https://www.careercircle.com/blog/post/upskilling-yourself-for-tomorrows-economy" rel="follow">upskilling</a>&nbsp;you completed or adjacent skillsets you picked up outside the corporate world, like budgeting as the head of your household or project management for an event at your child's school. This will help proactively answer any questions the recruiter may have and give them more insight into your background. Plus, it shows them that you're being transparent and upfront on your application.&nbsp;
<ol start="3">
<li> Brush Up on Your Interview Skills.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
Your resume is the first place you'll need to tackle your gap in employment, but you should also prepare to <a href="https://www.careercircle.com/blog/post/making-a-great-first-impression-five-tips-for-a-successful-interview" rel="follow">touch on it during job interviews</a>. It's helpful to practice how you'll approach the subject before you walk into your first interview to help calm your nerves and frame your time off in the best way possible.&nbsp;
Depending on your reason for temporarily leaving the workforce, you might even work your employment gap into your elevator pitch so you can get it out in the open as soon as possible and give interviewers a quick overview of your career journey so far.&nbsp;
Practice a concise and straightforward explanation, and highlight your productivity and development during your time away. Rather than simply stating, "I took a six-month gap in employment last year," say something like, "I took six months off last year to upskill in IT support," or "I took six months off last year to spend some quality time with family." From there, you can showcase any new skills or proficiencies you picked up while you were away from the workforce.&nbsp;
Remember, there's no reason to dwell on your gap once you've explained it at the start of your interview. Your gap in employment was likely much shorter than the amount of experience you have, so pivot the conversation back to what you bring to the table today and show interviewers the complete view of you rather than letting that period of time dictate the tone of your interview.&nbsp;
Power Your Return to Work With CareerCircle
No matter how you approach your return to work, don't let your employment gap define the future of your career. The most important thing to do is demonstrate your intent to move forward&mdash;and <a href="https://www.careercircle.com/blog/post/building-the-360deg-view-of-you-how-to-develop-a-job-skills-inventory" rel="follow">your holistic skillset</a>&mdash;to your potential employers and give yourself a bit of grace along the way.&nbsp;
At CareerCircle, we help candidates navigate every step of their job search and <a href="https://www.careercircle.com/blog/post/how-equitable-staffing-recruiting-companies-match-candidates-careers" rel="follow">match them to right-fit employers</a>&nbsp;through our exclusive talent network.&nbsp;
Members gain access to upskilling resources, mentorship, career coaching, and more. Our mentorship team can help you define your career goals, revamp your resume, prepare for job interviews, and more through our free, candidate-focused online platform.
<a href="https://www.careercircle.com/candidates/signup" rel="follow">Become a CareerCircle member </a>today to get started.

This blog will explore several steps you can take to reignite your career after taking some time away from work.

Three Ways to Address a Gap in Employment

Whether you're a mom returning to the workforce or bouncing back from pandemic-related unemployment, navigating your workforce re-entry can be intimidating, especially if you have a gap in your employment history.

Your Return to Work: Three Ways to Address a Gap in Employment

The job market has transformed over the last few years, primarily due to the pandemic and accompanying Great Resignation. As employers face staffing shortages, employees rethink their career trajectory, and remote work takes center stage, building a team looks a lot different today than in years past.
In this blog, we'll recap the major changes to the job market in recent years and explore the trends that are reshaping the hiring experience for employers and candidates alike.
<h2>How Staffing Shortages Changed the Job Market </h2>
<h3>For Employers</h3>
In 2020, employers rushed to keep up with the rapid disruption of COVID, sending in-office employees home and deploying new remote work solutions to maintain operations.
They soon realized that the pandemic would also increase employee attrition as the Great Resignation swept the globe in 2020 and 2021. Employees left their jobs for many reasons, and the resulting staffing shortages forced employers to rethink their hiring and retention strategies.
But the effects of COVID-19 weren't all bad. The rise in remote work coupled with an increase in resignations gave employers in many industries access to larger talent pools than they had pre-pandemic. Today, the job market is chock-full of high-quality candidates looking to take the next step in their career journey.
Because of this, employers are shifting their focus away from hard skills and years of experience in favor of <a href="https://www.careercircle.com/blog/post/how-equitable-staffing-recruiting-companies-match-candidates-careers" data-gc-link="https://www.careercircle.com/blog/post/how-equitable-staffing-recruiting-companies-match-candidates-careers" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">candidates who possess the right soft skills</a> and fit in with company culture. While hard skills are valuable, they're also teachable&mdash;through on-the-job training programs, continued learning opportunities, and upskilling courses. Interpersonal skills like communication, time management, and collaboration are harder to teach yet essential for building highly communicative, adaptable distributed teams.
<h3>For Candidates</h3>
The pandemic put financial and emotional stress on nearly every member of the population. Children dove headfirst into remote learning, businesses closed or suspended operations, and many people faced layoffs or general uncertainty about their professional futures.
As a result, people began to <a href="https://www.careercircle.com/blog/post/navigating-your-career-journey-5-ways-to-reach-your-career-development-goals" data-gc-link="https://www.careercircle.com/blog/post/navigating-your-career-journey-5-ways-to-reach-your-career-development-goals" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">redefine their career paths</a>. Some chose to leave the corporate world in favor of a sabbatical or self-employment. Others used their extra time at home to get certified in a new industry or expand their existing skillsets.
The pandemic also allowed employees to step back and assess their employers. Many found that they were under-appreciated, insufficiently compensated, or poorly set up for career advancement in their current roles.
Now, they're on the hunt for a job where they can achieve their personal career goals, enjoy more flexibility, and work for an organization that aligns with their values. These candidates seemingly have the upper hand since the last several years' events created a job market with roughly <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/04/rapid-quitting-and-hiring-will-continue-in-2022-despite-omicron-wave-economists-say.html" data-gc-link="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/04/rapid-quitting-and-hiring-will-continue-in-2022-despite-omicron-wave-economists-say.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">65 unemployed workers for every 100 job openings</a>. 
Today's candidates can negotiate for higher salaries and better benefits. They're also likely receiving multiple job offers at once as employers work quickly to place new hires in their open roles.
<h2>Four Trends Shaping the Talent Industry</h2>
<h3>1. Remote/Hybrid Flexibility</h3>
Even as physical office spaces re-open, remote flexibility is the key to attracting and retaining top talent. The pandemic showed even the most remote-averse organizations that their employees were as productive or even more productive at home compared to the office. On the flip side, employees began enjoying the flexibility, comfort, and safety of remote work.
Today's job market depends heavily on remote and hybrid flexibility. A significant number of employees consider location independence a non-negotiable element of their work. Employers with a pre-pandemic mindset will struggle to hire and retain talent as onsite benefits like meals, fitness centers, and other office amenities become less and less desirable.
The good news is that offering remote flexibility doesn't just help organizations <a href="https://www.careercircle.com/blog/post/getting-ahead-of-the-talent-deficit-5-ways-to-improve-your-staffing-and-recruiting-efforts" data-gc-link="https://www.careercircle.com/blog/post/getting-ahead-of-the-talent-deficit-5-ways-to-improve-your-staffing-and-recruiting-efforts" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">attract high-quality employees</a>; it also eliminates the geographic limitations of in-person work. Rather than limiting their efforts to a specific zip code or state, they can connect with eager job seekers across the country or even on the other side of the world.
Takeaway: Embrace remote and hybrid working models, and be sure the location details of each open role are clear and easy to find on job boards. 
<h3>2. Company Culture</h3>
Fifty-nine percent of people who left a job in 2021 did so because <a href="https://www.edelman.com/sites/g/files/aatuss191/files/2021-08/2021EdelmanTrustBarometerSpecialReport_TheBelief-DrivenEmployee.pdf" data-gc-link="https://www.edelman.com/sites/g/files/aatuss191/files/2021-08/2021EdelmanTrustBarometerSpecialReport_TheBelief-DrivenEmployee.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">they wanted to work for a company that better fit their values</a>.
Reliable pay and good benefits are valuable, but a positive work environment plays a significant role in helping employers stand out above other companies and retain top talent in the long term. Across the board, job seekers want to work for companies that align with their values, prioritize diversity and inclusion, and give them a sense of fulfillment.
Employers can no longer get by with a catchy mission or vision statement. During their interviews, candidates will ask about culture and values, and employers who don't deliver on these items will likely miss out on top talent. 
In 2022, employers are actively promoting their culture and preparing hiring managers to answer questions about brand values, work-life balance, inclusion, and other critical aspects of company culture. They're also looking at their employer brand and refining elements like their core values, mission statement, and online presence to attract top-tier talent.
Takeaway: Present your company's brand and values to potential employees early, often, and consistently. Then, be sure your behind-the-scenes culture aligns with your public-facing brand. 
<h3>3. Diversity and Inclusion</h3>
Today, 76% of job seekers <a href="https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/glassdoors-diversity-and-inclusion-workplace-survey/#:~:text=More%20than%203%20in%204,evaluating%20companies%20and%20job%20offers." data-gc-link="https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/glassdoors-diversity-and-inclusion-workplace-survey/#:~:text=More%20than%203%20in%204,evaluating%20companies%20and%20job%20offers." target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">consider a diverse workforce a critical factor</a> when evaluating companies and job offers. They're looking for employers who go beyond inspiring commitments to bring more thought diversity and equitable hiring practices into their day-to-day operations.
The events of 2020 prompted employers to think about DE&amp;I through the lenses of gender, race, sexual orientation, accessibility, and more. Still, enacting measurable changes to back up their DE&amp;I commitments is a work in progress for many.
Today, companies don't have to be located in an area with a diverse population to bring more DE&amp;I opportunities to the table since they can connect with candidates worldwide. The overwhelming rise in remote work is helping employers fuel <a href="https://www.careercircle.com/blog/post/building-the-workforce-of-the-future-the-value-of-equitable-hiring-practices" data-gc-link="https://www.careercircle.com/blog/post/building-the-workforce-of-the-future-the-value-of-equitable-hiring-practices" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">equitable hiring practices</a>.
Employers are pursuing remote opportunities to attract more talent and diversify their workforce to bring a greater variety of perspectives into their organization. They're also taking a long, hard look at their current talent acquisition practices. DE&amp;I leaders are looking for new opportunities to champion equitable hiring and <a href="https://www.careercircle.com/blog/post/advocacy-in-action-what-is-the-opportunity-divide-in-the-workforce" data-gc-link="https://www.careercircle.com/blog/post/advocacy-in-action-what-is-the-opportunity-divide-in-the-workforce" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">connect with candidates from underserved communities</a>, like veterans, workforce returners, and BIPOC women.
Takeaway: Prioritize thought diversity and equity in all of your hiring efforts. Take the perspectives of your current employees and potential ones into account across DE&amp;I initiatives. 
<h3>4. Candidate Experience</h3>
In the past, employers could take weeks or even months to follow up with candidates about an application or interview. Candidates spent long hours waiting for a phone call or email, and some were even ghosted by potential employers early on in the hiring process.
Today, candidates often interview with and receive offers from several companies at once. And hiring managers want to accelerate and innovate their hiring processes to keep great employees from slipping through the cracks.
This doesn't mean hiring managers plan to rush candidates through interviews and evaluations. Instead, they're limiting interviews to only include relevant stakeholders. They're also significantly reducing the feedback window and aiming to follow up with candidates immediately after they submit an application or attend an interview.
At the same time, candidates have changed their approach to job interviews in light of current staffing shortages. They're becoming more selective and active in their candidacy by interviewing their employers about compensation, culture, inclusion, and more from the first touch. Some candidates will withdraw their application after a negative interview or lack of responsiveness from a potential employer.
Employers need to prioritize candidates at every stage of the hiring process, not just when they're putting together an offer letter. Recommendations include:
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Create a concise job posting that details qualifications, benefits, and what to expect in the role.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet"><a href="https://www.careercircle.com/blog/post/building-proactive-talent-partnerships-4-reasons-companies-use-staffing-agencies" data-gc-link="https://www.careercircle.com/blog/post/building-proactive-talent-partnerships-4-reasons-companies-use-staffing-agencies" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Share open roles on job boards</a> and social platforms to spread the word.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Tell candidates what to expect during the evaluation and interview process.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Stick to your word when it comes to response times and feedback.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Present offers to your top picks sooner rather than later.</li>
</ul>
Takeaway: Adjust your hiring processes to meet candidates' expectations. Focus on timeliness and transparency to keep up with the fast-moving job market. 
<h2>Navigate the Ever-Changing Job Market with CareerCircle </h2>
It's easy to look at the numbers and think we're operating in a candidates' market. And while job seekers in 2022 definitely have an advantage, employers are reaping pandemic-era benefits too.
Many qualified candidates are <a href="https://www.careercircle.com/blog/post/a-new-wave-in-recruiting-how-returnships-help-employers-and-candidates-get-ahead" data-gc-link="https://www.careercircle.com/blog/post/a-new-wave-in-recruiting-how-returnships-help-employers-and-candidates-get-ahead" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">returning to the market </a>and exploring new career opportunities. The geographic limitations of in-person work are fading away, and employers are quickly expanding their talent pools.
At CareerCircle, we take a multi-faceted approach to workforce development. We connect job seekers with career resources, <a href="https://www.careercircle.com/blog/post/youve-got-skills-the-importance-of-upskilling-in-todays-job-market" data-gc-link="https://www.careercircle.com/blog/post/youve-got-skills-the-importance-of-upskilling-in-todays-job-market" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">upskilling</a>, and new professional opportunities. We also make it easy for employers to adapt to current trends and connect with new candidates through an online platform that streamlines job creation, talent searches, and applicant evaluation through a single, easy-to-use dashboard.
Are you looking for more ways to grow your talent pipeline, overcome staffing shortages, and reach top-performing candidates?
Download our free talent pipeline checklist for 10 actionable tips to help you level up your hiring efforts.

From remote work to company culture, see how pandemic-era staffing shortages have shaped today's job market for both employers & candidates.

How Staffing Shortages Have Impacted the Job Market

As employers face staffing shortages, employees rethink their career trajectory, and remote work takes center stage, building a team looks a lot different today than in years past.

The Future of Work: How Pandemic-Era Staffing Shortages Have Impacted the Job Market

Interviewing can be stressful, especially if you are just starting your career, rejoining the workforce after an extended period, or transitioning into a new industry. Below are five tips you should think about as you begin your journey.
<h2>Before Your Job Interview</h2>
Searching for and applying to open roles typically takes significant time and effort. It's essential to prepare for your job interview before the day it's scheduled, despite balancing your persistent job search, personal life, and the demands of your current position.
Spending a couple of hours on prep ahead of your job interview will help you walk in feeling confident and prepared. Prior preparation is the not-so-secret key to impressing your potential employer and presenting the best version of yourself to everyone&mdash;in the room, or on your computer screen.
<h3>#1 Research your potential employer</h3>
Research is one of the most valuable pre-interview activities out there. It equips you to provide informed answers to interview questions and to show your potential employer that you're genuinely invested in becoming part of their company.
Take some time to read up on the company. Browse their website, social profiles, and any other content you can find online to learn about who they are and how you could contribute to their efforts. Before you walk into your interview, you should familiarize yourself with several key facts and answer questions like:
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">What is the organization's mission?</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Who are their target customers?</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">What products, services, or solutions do they provide?</li>
</ul>
This research also allows you to identify what you'd like to learn during the interview. Even though some of us imagine an interview as a one-way interrogation, it should actually be a two-way conversation that allows you to learn about your potential employer as they learn about you. Consider how well the company's values and culture align with your own, as well as how the role you're interviewing for complements your skillset and past experience. 
Jot down any questions you have about the company or the specific role you're applying for. Your curiosity will show interviewers that you've done your research, and it gives you a chance to learn more about the company during the initial stages of the hiring process.
<h3>#2 Practice, practice, practice</h3>
Job interviews can be nerve-wracking, but practice can help you kick the nerves and put your best foot forward on interview day. Start by reviewing typical interview questions and practice your answers. You'll want to use each question as an opportunity to <a href="https://www.careercircle.com/blog/post/five-ways-to-level-up-your-resume" data-gc-link="https://www.careercircle.com/blog/post/five-ways-to-level-up-your-resume" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">highlight relevant skills from your resume </a>and give interviewers more insight into your previous experiences. They have your resume and application materials. They've read it. Now, tell them what it means for them. Be prepared to describe what about your approach led to the accolades on the page in front of them.
Steer clear of writing a script or memorizing your responses word-for-word. Instead, spend some time thinking deeply about your answers and practicing them out loud to lower your risk of freezing up when you're on the spot. 
Practice runs are another great way to get comfortable with the interview process. Ask a friend or family member to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MyCareerCircle/videos/399820568501452" data-gc-link="https://www.facebook.com/MyCareerCircle/videos/399820568501452" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">conduct a simulated interview</a> with you based on the questions you uncovered in your research. Do it as many times as you can until you feel confident.
<h2>On the Day of Your Job Interview</h2>
You'll have a lot on your mind the day of your interview, but keeping a few tried-and-true tips in mind will help you stay cool, calm, and collected throughout the process.
<h3>#3 Arrive on time</h3>
Everyone's time is valuable, including yours! Arriving at your interview on time and ready to begin right away makes a great first impression with employers and helps ensure the discussion flows smoothly.
In this case, timeliness doesn't just mean beating the clock but also giving yourself some time to work out technical difficulties on Zoom or find the correct suite number in a large office building.
<h4>In-person interviews</h4>
Most working professionals follow the mantra: to be early is to be on time&hellip;to be on time is to be late.
When attending an interview, you might need a few extra minutes to account for the train schedule, find a parking space, navigate the building, etc. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Look up the location and how long it will take to get there. Include a buffer for traffic if needed.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Plan to arrive five to ten minutes early for the interview.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Give yourself extra time to pull yourself together, gather your thoughts, and calm your nerves.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Virtual interviews</h4>
Virtual interviews have become increasingly popular in recent years. This interview format eliminates your commute and, for some people, adds an extra level of comfort since they can take the call from their own home. And while you don't have to worry about traffic or sit in a crowded waiting room, there are still a few ways to demonstrate punctuality and preparedness:
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Download the necessary tools (like Zoom or Teams) in advance, not five minutes before the call.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Test your audio and video settings to ensure everyone can see and hear you.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Join the interviewer's virtual waiting room 3-5 minutes before the scheduled interview time.</li>
</ul>
<h3>#4 Engage with the interviewer(s)</h3>
 Interviews can be daunting, especially if you're in front of several people. Remember to make eye contact with the interviewer(s) asking the questions, keep an eye on body language, and engage with everyone in attendance, whether you're in a 1-1 interview or meeting with a panel. Employers are looking for unspoken clues about you, the candidate, through various means.
Body language speaks volumes and can help communicate a positive message to your interviewer. You don't want to come off as sloppy or stiff. Think about your posture. Sitting straight conveys you are comfortable and confident, while slouching or being hunched over may give an impression of nervousness or even of low self-esteem.
Know your audience and carefully read the room. Be energetic but not overconfident. Employ active listening techniques to pay attention to all questions. Tips for active listening include:
<ul>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Strive to make a relatable connection with your interviewer, especially in a virtual setting.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Summarize and repeat back what you heard to ensure accuracy and alignment.</li>
<li data-gc-list-depth="1" data-gc-list-style="bullet">Concentrate on the message and value behind each comment your interviewer makes.</li>
</ul>
A surge in virtual connections has created a presence of humanity in the historically polished video landscape. If your dog or child unexpectedly enters the room during your interview, or a loud background noise comes through, don't let it fluster you too much. It's ok to simply address what is happening with the understanding that a culture of empathy is prevailing in the world of video conferencing.
<h2>After Your Interview</h2>
You made it! You just crushed an interview with your potential employer, but that doesn't mean you should step back and wait to hear from them. Staying engaged and communicating proactively with the interviewer or your primary contact will help you progress to the next steps in your evaluation.
<h3>#5 Say "thank you" and pursue next steps</h3>
Sending over a thank you note is a quick and easy post-interview activity that will leave a lasting impression on your interviewer.
Write a short email to the person or group you interviewed with and send it within 24 hours of your interview, simply thanking them for their time and letting them know you look forward to learning more about the next stage in the hiring process. For bonus points, include something you found interesting during the interview, or that you look forward to discussing further during your next interaction.
This message gives you a chance to express your gratitude and seamlessly transition into the "next steps" conversation. Plus, it keeps your name at the top of employers' minds and shows them that you're excited by the prospect of working for them.
-
Looking for more guidance on how to ace an upcoming job interview? 
CareerCircle's free Interview Prep Tool has you covered! Our personalized quizzes walk you through every phase of the interview process, from assessing job fit to following up with potential employers after your interview concludes.
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Interviewing can be stressful, especially if you are just starting your career, rejoining the workforce after an extended period, or transit

Making a Great First Impression: Five Tips for a Successful Interview

Interviewing can be stressful, especially if you are just starting your career, rejoining the workforce after an extended period, or transitioning into a new industry. Below are five tips you should think about as you begin your journey.

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Making a Great First Impression: Five Tips for a Successful Interview

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