How do I restart my career after taking a hiatus to be a parent? Ask HR

Johnny C. Taylor Jr. tackles your human resources questions as part of a series for USA TODAY. Taylor is president and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management, the world's largest HR professional society and author of "Reset: A Leader’s Guide to Work in an Age of Upheaval.”

The questions are submitted by readers, and Taylor's answers below have been edited for length and clarity.

Have a question? Do you have an HR or work-related question you’d like me to answer? Submit it here.

Question: I took a four-year hiatus from my career to parent full time. I am looking to reenter the work world but wonder if my time away will deter prospective employers. How can I best sell myself as I look to rejoin the work world? – Tyler

Answer: You are reentering the job market on the cusp of an economic downturn, so you should be extra diligent in preparing your search.

Start with identifying your knowledge base and skill set for your previous jobs and the positions you are targeting. Can you update your resume with any experience gained in the interim, like seminars, webcasts and reading relevant books? Any knowledge gained via courses or certification can illustrate relevant competencies. Be sure to update your resume with your most recent learning opportunities.

Don’t just focus on your technical abilities. Account for your soft skills, like communication, time management and organization, as well. As a parent, you likely relied on the soft skills employers value. Parenting often requires daily planning and coordinating events, travel, and logistics. Do you multitask and demonstrate flexibility when things don’t go according to plan? You can communicate how these competencies, based on your strengths, can translate to the workplace.

If you participated in any volunteer efforts relevant to your desired field, include it. Leading a team for a charitable event, managing money for a fundraiser and other similar activities will demonstrate your level of responsibility, trustworthiness, attention to detail, and leadership. They also represent skills transferrable across multiple fields and positions.

Don’t underestimate the power of the people you already know. Reach out to your former colleagues and managers in your field of interest. Probe your network about the state of business. Gather a sense of the challenges and opportunities in the industry. The people who know you are best qualified to advocate on your behalf. They may even be able to provide leads or even open doors for you. Consider temporary or contract positions. They offer the opportunity to showcase your work while you reacclimate yourself to the world of work.

Embrace your journey. Your time away may give you the fresh perspective many employers value. In an era where people have seen the value of work/life integration, your decision isn’t a foreign concept. If you remain open to new opportunities and experiences, I’m sure you’ll find success.

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I injured my shoulder at work six weeks ago and applied for workers' compensation. Though the injury requires surgery, my employer's insurance company has yet to authorize treatment. What recourse do I have to expedite my workers’ compensation claim? – Lawrence

Unfortunately, the path of workers’ compensation cases adds a layer of complexity that often does not align well with treatment plans. For the most part, the insurer manages the claim process with cooperation from you, your employer and health care providers. Though limited, there are actions you can take to help the process along.

Your employer dictates how much involvement they have in the claims process aside from their initial reporting. It is up to the discretion of the employer as to how involved they remain. They can reach out to the insurer to request the reason for the delay be sent in writing and also follow up regularly on the claims process. On your end, your inquiries should be directed to the assigned case manager for your claim. You could seek legal counsel if treatment is delayed without a stated cause.

Bear in mind, the delay could stem from a host of causes. Often insurance companies base their decisions on information received from your employer and medical provider. Verify with your HR department and health care provider to ensure all necessary information has been submitted to the insurer. Confirm with your assigned case manager that they have received the pertinent information from all sources. When surgery is advised, insurers may request a second opinion from another provider. You may want to check with your employer or case manager if a second opinion would be helpful in moving the approval process forward.

If these appeals to the workers’ compensation insurer do not yield a resolution, you may want to seek guidance from legal counsel. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney is often valuable in navigating local guidelines regarding workers’ compensation and ensuring you receive the treatments and compensation entitled to you. I hope you receive the proper treatment to make full recovery.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How do I reenter the workforce after taking a hiatus to be a parent?