by Betsy Bagley

Are you a woman who took a career break and are now eager to find your next path? Is the thought of brushing off your resume and going on an interview overwhelming? Technology has changed everything, and there is an unlimited supply of information online; how do you sift through the maze to find what you need? How do you update your skills and build the confidence you need to succeed?

The journey does not need to be a struggle, but instead can be an exciting, rewarding experience, BUT you need an "OnRamp Plan".

A new book, Your Career OnRamp, a woman’s guide to re-entering the workforce, offers a 10-Step Plan to OnRamp—fun, essential advice and tools for everything from clearing the decks to finding your true career passion to writing a compelling resume.

Here's a preview of the 10-Step Plan:

1. Are You Ready? Looking for a job is a job in itself. You don’t want to start this process if you are not really ready to set aside time in your busy life. Make sure you have a plan of attack to make the career search easier and enjoyable.
2. Clear the decks! Deliberately set aside time and space where you can focus without the multitude of interruptions that often cloud your days.
3. Get the Support You Need. A support network is critical to your success in getting back in. Everyone needs a cheerleader or two! Find a friend, mentor, or colleague who can help you.
4. Discover Your Path. Devote time to a self-assessment, a valuable opportunity to recognize what you enjoy doing and when you feel the most successful and fulfilled.
5. Get Educated. Research technology, ideas, industries, companies, people—you name it. There is unlimited information available with a few key strokes.
6. Develop Your Marketing Tools. Add an elevator pitch, resume, and cover letters to your toolkit.
7. Build a Network. Your chances of getting a job are much better when you know someone at the company. A complete personal profile will help friends and colleagues find you with ideas and new connections.
8. Find Your Career. Search for that perfect job. Whether you want to work for a company, hang a shingle as a consultant, or start your own business, the job search is the exciting part of the process.
9. Prepare for Interviews. Preparation is the key to successful interviewing. What questions will I need to answer? How should I explain my time away from the workplace? What if my skills are outdated? Look the part.
10. Bring it Home. You have successfully networked, researched, and interviewed your way to a job offer. But how do you know if it is the right offer for you? Aside from the obvious gut feeling you get when it is the right move, you need to analyze the offer to see if it is a winner.

Turn the chore of finding a job into an empowering enjoyable journey. Good luck in discovering your new path!

Texas Conference for Women speaker Betsy Bagley is the Director of Development at YourOnRamp.com, an online community where professional women manage their career OffRamps and OnRamps, and connect with employers. The team has just released their first book,  Your Career OnRamp, a woman’s guide to re-entering the workforce.