Whether it’s because of the economy or just because you are looking for new challenges, reentering the work force after several months or years at home with your children can present a lot of challenges.

How do you appeal to employers who want candidates with up-to-date skills and fresh experience? Can you compete with other candidates who just graduated from college and have all the latest research at their fingertips?

Believe it or not, the answer is Yes! Even after 10 years out of the workforce, you can jump back in as long as you know how to package yourself and your experiences. Here are some things to consider:

1. Networking is key. How often do we talk about networking on this blog? Constantly, right?! And we’re always saying how important it is and that something like 60 percent or more of the jobs out there aren’t even advertised. Well, as important as word of mouth is to the average job seeker, it’s even more important to stay-at-home parents looking to reenter the work force. These job networking connections may well make the difference for you between a first response of “too old, out of the loop” and a reaction of “you know what? let’s take a second look”. Dust off your rolodex and start calling people. Contact old employers and colleagues, but also take a look at the carpool pickup lane – who do you know now that might be of assistance to you as you build your future?

2. Volunteer Your Time

Another great way to expand your work-free resume and develop more networking contacts (see #1) is to volunteer your time at a local or national non-profit organization. When you work for a nonprofit, you will be able to strengthen your leadership, organization, administrative, fundraising, management and other types of work-related skills within a professional environment.

3. Make a Functional Resume

Consider seven things you have accomplished in your adult life. Write a short paragraph about what you did in each scenario. Then translate each of these paragraph into a list of action verbs. From among those lists, you will sense a number of themes – leadership, organization, personnel management, interpersonal communication, etc. A functional resume uses those themes as the organizing principles. After your name and contact information, make a list of each of those qualities, with one line of description about how you define that quality. Under each quality, make a bulleted list of experiences through which you developed those skills.

For more information on how to develop your functional resume, read the quintessential career guide, What Color Is Your Parachute.

4. Consider Working From Home

Whether as a way to build up your resume for your “real job” or as the real job itself, working from home as a freelancer is a great way to transition back into the work force. If you have writing skills, you can work as a freelance writer or blogger. If you are crafty, you can sell your works on etsy. If you are a bargain shopper, you can leverage your good deals by reselling on eBay. If you have great typing skills, you can work in transcriptions or medical records. Find out more about work from home jobs here.

Have you made the transition from being a stay-at-home parent to working a full time job? What tips and advice do you have to share? Post in the comments section!

MSNBC is reporting that an army of 19,000 contract workers (and some 5,000 volunteers) have swarmed the Gulf Coast to help with clean-up efforts from the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

It would seem that pitching in to help clean up America’s worst disaster is on the minds and hearts of many of us.

Our post last month about volunteering for the Gulf Oil clean-up has definitely caught the attention of many of you, including some very magnanimous people looking to offer their voluntary services. If you want to contribute to the clean-up efforts, please note that the JobMonkey cannot directly hook you up with a volunteer organizations. Rather, start your search with our list of organizations that are accepting Gulf clean-up volunteers.

Also, we just posted oil spill response training information in our Oil Industry Jobs section. Go there to learn about HAZWOPER 40-Hour Training and OSHA 30-Hour classes.

You might also want to check out this blog post from Mother Nature Network, which features a great list of Do’s and Don’ts for people interested in volunteering, including these “do’s”:

• Report oil sightings – They suggest you call (866) 448-5816 if you spot oil slicks from the shore, or (866) 557-1401 if you see oiled wildlife.
• Donate funds — Be sure to look for reputable environmental organizations, such as the Environmental Defense Fund or the National Wildlife Federation. Any of the organizations accepting volunteers are also good candidates for your contributions.
• Spread the word — Make your voice heard by attending demonstrations or turning to your social network. Talk about the Gulf oil cleanup on Facebook or Twitter, or blog about it (if you do, be sure to spam us with the link — we’d love to help you spread the word.)
• Write your Members of Congress — Whether you think offshore drilling should be halted — or redoubled — now is the time to make your voice heard with your Senators and Congressmen. Another federal agency that might be useful to contact is the Environmental Protection Agency. And don’t forget to send your thoughts to President Obama, too!

Have you contributed your services, either as a volunteer or as a contract worker, to the Gulf clean up efforts? Share your experiences and offer your advice to other would-be volunteers!

Whether you are a student, teacher, or a seasonal worker with some free time this summer, you can take advantage of great opportunities to do something meaningful and fun this summer. While we are already into June, plenty of organizations are still looking for eager volunteers to work for anywhere from two weeks to three months on all types of projects – from building eco-lodges to teaching school children the basics.

If you have ever through about taking a trip abroad to volunteer but weren’t sure if you had the time, the time is now for these overseas volunteer opportunities:

1)   Short-term placement organizations (like Cross-Cultural Solutions and United Planet) often offer so many volunteer placements that it is possible to find a project that isn’t full at the last-minute. Right now, there are openings for volunteers in China for healthcare volunteer projects and teaching, starting as early as mid-July with Cross Cultural Solutions. United Planet offers rolling start dates for community development volunteer projects in Africa throughout the summer. Just keep in mind that these programs are fee-based, and you might need to take sometime to fund raise for your volunteer adventure.

2)   “Voluntourism” or “Responsible Travel” describes short-term projects that combine vacation with good deeds. Many of these trips include stays on “workcamps” that offer free or low-cost room and board in exchange for a certain number of labor hours per day. Popular activities include farming and other agricultural activities. Workcamps are typically open year-round, and if there is room can accommodate last-minute volunteers for their work abroad. Service Civil International places last-minute volunteers in workcamps in France, Norway, Japan and Kosovo.

3)   For folks looking for a more, well, passive volunteer experience can take advantage of the many eco-lodges that have cropped up in lush locations in Central America. These lodges are designed to provide sustainable and affordable housing for travelers, and most offer day volunteer experiences in and around the lodge to help keep things up and running. The Rio Magnolia Eco Lodge in Costa Rica offers breathtaking scenery and adventure in a environmentally environment, and is currently accepting bookings for the summer.

4)   Disaster relief efforts are still going on in Haiti and other parts of the Caribbean that have been devastated by natural disasters. Volunteers for Peace is currently planning a trip to Haiti for the first week in July. Volunteers will help locals with farming and agricultural activities. This is a low-cost and culturally immersive volunteer opportunity that people are encouraged to become involved in, especially if they are interested in a rustic, hands-on, transformative adventure.

5)   And for the truly adventurous? How about tracking the elusive whale shark in Honduras! OneWorld365 (among others) offers 1-2 week diving trips for certified divers who want to spend their vacation time looking after rare underwater wildlife.  Since the best time to view the sharks includes the summer month of August, there is still time to join one of the expeditions into the underwater unknown!

Tips for Last-minute Travel

One major aspect of traveling abroad to volunteer is paying for airfare – the organizations listed here do not (in fact, very few do) pay for your airfare. You can find great last minute airline deals online that might help defray some of the travel costs. In some cases, talking directly to an airline about your plans and offering to fly standby can also help you get on a plane at the last minute, if you don’t mind waiting around in the airport for a while.

Also keep in mind for a last minute overseas volunteer trip that you need to check in about travel vs. work visas.

Most countries will allow foreign citizens to stay in their country as a tourist even if they are volunteering – but these tourist visas generally only last for 90 days (sometimes less than that). If your volunteer project will last longer than a tourist visa, be aware that you will either have to take a trip across the border or make other arrangements.

If you aren’t ready for a last-minute volunteer opportunity, but some of these have piqued your interest in overseas volunteer opportunities, make sure that you check out the volunteer program listings on JobMonkey.com!

Have you seen JobMonkey’s newest cool jobs section about becoming an archeologist? Seriously, that is a COOL job. About a million years ago (okay, so maybe it was just 20), I was an archeologist for the summer.

Well, for 3 weeks out of the summer. And I wasn’t exactly an archeologist. More like a glorified intern-without-pay. But I still fondly remember that experience as one of the most invigorating, interesting, and dusty three weeks of my life!

I remember the large hand tools (mostly pick-axes) that we used to remove millennium of dirt in one fell hack. And I remember the small hand tools (mostly paint brushes) that we used to painstakingly reveal the fine details of a mosaic. We were uncovering an ancient city in what is today modern Israel, and learning about history in the making.

It truly was an awe-inspiring experience, which is perhaps why I am so excited to tell you guys today about our newest hot topic: Volunteer archeologist jobs.  Volunteering with an excavation team is an outstanding way to get hands-on experience in the field and to find out if this is something you would like to do for a life-long career (or just a memorable few weeks.) While an interest in history and the ability to take instruction are important, past experience or a degree in archeology is not. Sometimes all it takes to land a volunteer archeology job is the willingness to apply and the ability to work hard — for long days in the dust and sun.

As a volunteer, your job most often is to provide the muscle. Think large hand tools. The paid professionals handle the technical details such as research, interpretation and preservation. And the really good news is that you don’t have to fly all the way to Israel to find a archeology site to volunteer for (although that was really cool, and I can’t recommend international volunteering enough!).

Check with your local historical societies, colleges and universities, and professional associations for leads on nearby digs. And for more archaeological volunteer opportunities, you can also check out some of the these websites:

Archaeologyfieldwork.com
eArchaeology
Past Horizons

Have you ever volunteered on an archeological dig? What are your memories of that experience? What advice would you offer to someone seeking to dig for a day — or a lifetime? Weigh in, we’d love to hear from you!

It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time for Hot Jobs! If you are a regular reader of the JobMonkey blog, you know that each Wednesday I post a handful of hot new jobs listed over at the JobMonkey Job Center.

Have you visited the Job Center lately?

The Job Center features thousands of job openings, in dozens of fields, all updated daily. The best news is that the Center is completely free for job seekers.

This week, I am featuring international volunteer jobs, including a community outreach coordinator in Rwanda and a volunteer teacher in Nepal. (Do you get the JobMonkey newsletter? This week’s edition spotlighted five of the benefits of becoming a volunteer. Sign up to receive the newsletter here.) You can learn more about volunteering in America and overseas at the JobMonkey.

1. Assistant Community Outreach Coordinator, RWEYOWA, Rwanda
RWEYOWA is one of the largest community outreach, non-profit organizations in Rwanda, serving HIV/AIDS patients, widows, elderly people and orphans. The organization provides counseling, food, clothing and other support services. The person in this volunteer position will help to coordinate home visits, monitor and report on the progress of outreach activities, organize fundraising activities and other duties as assigned. The ideal candidate will have fluent written and spoken English, computer literacy, and experience in writing proposals and fundraising. The volunteer coordinator will be provided with meals and accommodation, for a monthly charge of $350. The coordinator must also cover the costs of his or her transportation and health insurance. You can learn more about Rweyowa at the organization’s website.

2. English Teacher Job Nepal at Alliance Nepal, Pokhara, Nepal
Alliance Nepal provides health, education and community aid programs to the people of Nepal, particularly orphans. The organization is currently looking for a volunteer English teacher to serve in one of the orphanages of the Buddhist Monk Health & Sanitation Program. Volunteers can work anywhere from 2 weeks to three months, with flexible schedules providing plenty of time for exploring the wonders of Nepal and the Tibetan nation. Volunteers will receive a several-day orientation period, with basic Nepali language classes, culture orientation and sightseeing. Serving as a volunteer will incur a monthly cost to cover airport pickup, orientation and training, room and board, and voluntary supervision. Additionally, volunteers are responsible for the cost of their flight, visa, vaccinations and travel insurance. Estimated spending money is $10 per week. You can learn more about Alliance Nepal at the organization’s website.

Thursday is Reader Mailbag day, in which I answer questions about job searching from our readers. Do you have a question? Send me an email or leave a comment!

Dear JobMonkey,

Thanks,
Julie in New York

Dear Julie,

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation. What a wonderful accomplishment!

It sounds like you have a stress right now, which is being compounded by your student loan burden.

I am optimistic — and you should be, too — that you will find a job quickly. It sounds like you definitely have a can-do, will-do attitude, which is a huge plus. If for whatever reason you haven’t found a job by the end of your grace period on your loans, you do you can apply for a hardship deferral of payments, right? (You can find more information on repaying your student loans and student loan deferment at Financial Aid Finder.)

Now, as for your job search situation, you asked about moving before you land a job. In the current economy, local candidates have a decisive advantage, since few companies have the cash to splurge for relocation — especially for entry-level positions. If you are already in town, you increase your chances of getting called for an interview.

Do you have a professional network in Boston? If not, now is the time to start building one. Be in touch with all your contacts in New York, and ask them to help get you in touch with Bostonians. More than ever, networking is going to be key in landing a job.

You will also need a good personal network to help support you, emotionally and practically, during your job search. The need for support is always there, but especially when you are moving to a new city. Do you have friends or relatives (or your boyfriend?) with whom you can crash while you job search? If possible, bring a reserve of cash with you — ideally a few month’s worth of bare bone expenses — to help you stay afloat while you’re job searching.

Additionally, sign up with a temp agency or two when you get to town; hopefully you will be able to bring in some cash even while you look for your job.  If the job search lasts longer than your resources, consider taking a job in retail or at a restaurant. And don’t be worried that a job selling women’s blouses will deter from your career goals. Given the economic situation, potential employers will be more likely to hire someone who is enthusiastic about working… even if it’s not in their preferred field. Meanwhile, volunteering and interning are two great ways to make connections and keep your skill set fresh, even during a potentially protracted job search. (Here are some past blog posts on volunteering and college internships).

P.S. If you’re serious about getting a job in communications, you might want to have a look through JobMonkey’s section on Broadcasting Jobs.  You can also search through our Broadcasting Job Board, with openings in radio and TV.

Good luck to you in your move and your job search! Keep us updated when you find your new position.

If you are a recent college grad looking for a job, let me ask you this: Are you freaking out about your student loans? Are you depressed by the lack of job prospects in the current economy?

One solution might be to change your perspective.

Instead of looking for a six-figure job, consider a change in position: Become a volunteer with AmeriCorps. Created by President Clinton in 1993, AmeriCorps is the domestic version of the Peace Corps, which provides federal funding to nonprofit organizations that want to hire volunteers.  President Obama is about to sign a bill that will triple national funding of AmeriCorps.

AmeriCorps volunteers work full-time for a 10- to 12-month period, and receive a basic living expense stipend of $11,400. Some placements supplement these governmental funds with organizational dollars. While volunteering, you can defer your student loans — a big plus for grads struggling with the college debt.

When you graduate from your AmeriCorps job, you will receive an educational award of $5,350 (as of October 1, up from $4,725) to apply to your student loans. Or, if you want to take a break from your studies to volunteer, you can apply your award toward future educational costs.

SPECIAL NOTE - JobMonkey has launched a volunteer job board where you can find a wide variety of opportunities – in the U.S. and abroad. From Christian missionaries to construction. Don’t miss it! Use the Keyword search box to find exactly what you’re after.

The bill will also create summer employment opportunities, starting in 2010, for high school students. Young volunteers will earn a $500 grant toward college in exchange for their summer service. If you’re a retiree looking to get involved with AmeriCorps, the government will allow you to transfer your educational award to your child or grandchild.

To learn more about AmeriCorps, visit the organization’s website. And if you want to combine a little adventure with your service, check out JobMonkey’s section on overseas volunteering opportunities.

We all have a desire for meaningfulness in our work. We may even long for our work to nurture us and provide us with avenues for growth.

Nestled among the Redwoods on the northern Californian coast in Sonoma County sits the developing Buddhist retreat center, Ratna Ling. Here a dedicated group have come together to create a community offering a life style which combines work with personal and spiritual growth. Tibetan Lama Tarthang Tulku over 35 years ago founded group of organizations in the San Francisco Bay area for the purpose of giving Westerners a doorway to the Tibetan Buddhist teachings through work as service.

Over the years many hundreds of people of all ages from around the world have participated in the work-study, volunteer and internship programs centered in Berkeley and Sonoma County. Providing housing, vegetarian meals, evening classes and a stipend allows a lifestyle which can include study, practice and skill development in an atmosphere of positivity and mindfulness.

If you have a sincere interest in Buddhism, like to work hard and are willing to view work as a source of learning and personal growth you may find the Nyingma work-study programs a perfect match!

Volunteering has become a popular theme here lately at the JobMonkey blog. The New York Times reported earlier this week on the burgeoning ranks of volunteers in New York City.

Laid-off workers are turning in droves to volunteer organizations to help them fill their time and contribute to people in need, while still aggressively looking for a new job.

Remember this post from last week about how to volunteer your way into a new job? I’m thinking some of those New York volunteers might be hoping to network, too, while serving up soup or rescuing stray animals. Nothing wrong with that!

Interestingly, all of the volunteers interviewed for the article were women. Which got me wondering if the apparent article’s gender imbalance was a coincidental slip of the article — or if there’s something more to it? I went to the Corporation for National and Community Service, which in 2006 found that 32.4 percent of women volunteer, compared with 25 percent of men. The difference occurs across the board, in every state of the Union. Hmmm, do I smell a challenge to men? Time to get out there and volunteer!

If you want to combine adventure with volunteerism (maybe that’s an angle that will appeal to men?!), check out JobMonkey’s section on overseas volunteer jobs.

We talk a lot here on the JobMonkey blog about the importance of networking.

And really, I don’t think the impact of effective networking can be underestimated: Career experts tell us that 60-80% of all new jobs are landed through networking connections.

But what if you are already talking to everyone you know (and everyone they know), regularly updating your profile on LinkedIn, attending networking parties, and participating in industry events … and yet you still haven’t found a job? How about this non-conventional networking idea: Volunteering?

The personal and professional benefits of volunteering are vast. On a professional level, volunteering keeps your skills fresh, earns you valuable resume experience, and allows you to meet people who can help you in your job search. From paid professionals to boards of director and lay leadership, non-profit organizations are fertile grounds for well-connected movers and shakers.

How can I make a volunteer gig work to my advantage?
Let’s say you have always loved working with animals. But you majored in accounting and worry that volunteering at the Humane Society wouldn’t be the best career move. Think again: You could volunteer your time and education to help the finance committee, preparing tax documents or annual reports.

You could even put your stellar number skills at work planning a fundraising event. In the process, you would be working with and learning from other accounting and finance professionals — and meeting business leaders and philanthropists throughout your community.

I really don’t think I have time to volunteer. Looking for a job is my full-time job right now.
It’s true that looking for a job requires your full-time attention. But I’m not recommending 40 hours a week of volunteering. Four to eight hours a week is more than enough time to achieve your career networking goals — while also making a meaningful contribution to people and causes in need.

Have you had a volunteer job that turned into a full-time job? Have you met people through volunteering that helped you find employment? Share your experiences!