Publisher’s Note: Patty DeDominic is a Career and Staffing Expert, the Founder, CEO and Chairman of the PDQ Careers Group of Companies.  PDQ is one of Los Angeles’ largest privately held staffing services.  Divisions specialize in recruiting and consulting in Accounting, Administration, Information Technology, Finance, Aerospace, Medical and Educational Institutions.  PDQ has a long history of innovative project management and holds a SECRET Clearance granted by the U.S. Department of Defense.   DeDominic is past Chair of the Board of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.  She is also President Emeritus of the National Association of Women Business Owners (L.A.) and served as Commissioner of the Americas for the World Asso. of Women Chiefs. (FCEM)

Dear Patty:   It's been five years since I quit work to stay home with my children.  Now the kids are all in school, and I am ready to get back in the game.   Got some tips for me?   “Sitting on the Sidelines in Seattle”

Dear Sitting on the Sidelines:   You are not alone.  Many people have taken time out of their careers to raise their children, especially in those early formative years before they are in school all-day.  Many — like you — need some tips for how to re-enter the work world.   Today, I'll share with you and others like you Four Tips for “Getting Back in the Game.”

Tip Number One:   Talk to friends and ask for introductions and referrals.  Get out and meet employers and people who are leaders in trade associations.  Remember leads can come from anywhere, the net, specialty job boards, your church, other parents or recent grads.   Talk to people about what you know you love to do.      "Information interviews" are a good way to learn more about opportunities and trends in industries.  You'll also learn which companies are hiring or more about the occupations in demand.  Personal care, nursing and other medical careers outlook is expected to remain strong in this decade.    There are lots of great careers in hospitality, food service, travel, trade that have relatively easy entry if you are willing to start a rung or two lower on the ladder.  I do trust that working smart and self knowledge will help you rise quickly if that is your desire.

Tip Number Two:    Stay Informed.  Read those professional magazines and e-resources on the Internet.   Stop by your local college or university and note the openings posted in their on campus or on line career center.  Put in an extra 30-60 minutes each day to make sure you are extending your network, your knowledge and your potential value to your next employer.    Consider joining a job club.  Ask at school or the local One Stop Employment Center.   Getting a good job, is a job in itself, so be willing to put in time, energy and learn what the best opportunities are in your field in your neighborhood.

Tip Number 3: Put your best foot forward and talk about your accomplishments.  Even if you haven't earned a paycheck in years, chances are you do have volunteer or other community accomplishments that you can relate to today's professional business world.  Your class work in college or that trade training you took last year may have something of value to offer your next employer.      Look for your good points to share: Raise a record amount for the PTA?  Earn a gold star for hospital volunteering?  Employers want people who have a good work ethic and represent less risk of hiring.  There are no perfect hires, so don't fear that you lack too much, just look for ways to demonstrate that you aren't afraid to put in the hours or research to do a good job for them.  Dress the part!

Tip Number 4:    Be honest with employers about what you have been doing.   Real people enjoy working with other real people, so you probably don't want to work somewhere that you had to mislead to get hired!    Be honest with yourself too.  If your skills are rusty, enroll in some community college or technical classes to bring yourself some added contemporary skills.   You may want to register with some temp services, which can be a great way to pick up a paycheck, without committing yourself to a long term job that you may not love a few months from now.   Expect your skills to grow, and realize that your growth won't happen overnight.    With perseverance, desire and really listening to the input and leads you get, you can indeed launch yourself back into an even better game!

If you have an administrative, finance, accounting, and/or information technology background you may send your bio/resume plus a short cover letter to info@pdqcareers.com.  PDQ & DeDominic & Associates both operate nationwide. There is an office in New Jersey/New York Area, and the firm has people working in 33 states.        If you are a professional business executive, senior consultant and/or potential board of directors member, you may send your bio/resume plus a short cover letter outlining your qualifications to Patty@DeDominic.com.    Corporations and organizations looking for staffing should contact PDQ careers directly:   Corporate 777 South Figueroa Street Suite 2500 Los Angeles, CA 90017 Tel. 213.408.0262 Fax. 213.408.0261 Toll Free. 800.895.0015 Orange County 17900 Skypark Cr. Suite 104 Irvine, CA 92614 Tel. 949.250.0400 Fax. 949.250.0381 Toll Free. 800.805.6550   New Jersey 726 Route 202 South Suite 320-327 Bridgewater, NJ 08807 Tel. 610.438.3923 Fax. 610.438.3924 Toll Free. 800.320.1195   Find the branch which services your area by calling us at 800.404.0400 or e-mail us at info@pdqcareers.com   Best of luck!   Patty DeDominic pd@pdqcareers.com

Patty DeDominic is also the Author of "The New World of Work."  You can order her book at amazon.com. In this "how to" handbook, Patty's first message is that the tectonic plates of the working world have shifted.  Almost nothing you learned about job hunting, career development, job security means anything any more.  The book offers practical advice for those seeking jobs in an unfamiliar marketplace.  Patty shares insights, ideas and inspiration for surviving and prospering.

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