Career Advice

As a stay-at-home mom, you have enjoyed some wonderful years spending time with your children and watching them grow up. However, as the kids become older, you might start considering getting back into the workforce.

When you think about getting back to work, do not worry about the commonly-held notion that ‘taking a break’ from your career to raise kids will have a negative effect on your job prospects, because that is not true.  With some effort and the right mindset, it is not only possible to get back into the workforce, but also to get exactly the job you are looking for.

Here are some tips to guide you as you make the transition from a stay-at-home mom to a working parent:

Don’t be Apologetic

Hold your head high and project confidence regarding your decision to stay home and raise the kids for a few years. Be self-assured that you have done a great job balancing your personal and professional priorities. Explain to the interviewer that staying at home was the best decision you made at the time for your family life, but now you can’t wait to get back into the workforce. Don’t be apologetic for staying home and pressing the pause button on your working life!

Weigh your Options

Weigh all your options carefully before you start the job search. Do you want to go for a full-time job or start slow with a part-time job? Consider whether you will be able to handle the pressures of transitioning from being a stay-at-home mom to working full-time. Look for the kind of job that will provide you the flexibility you need for your family life.

Update your skills

How familiar are you with latest technologies in your career field? What about social media and mobile apps? The playing field might have changed since you were last working, and now is the time to update your skills.  Read job descriptions on portals like DiversityJobs to find about the skills required for the jobs you are interested in, and pursue some training to get back into the game.

Strategically organize your resume

As a stay-at-home mom, you most likely have an employment gap in your resume. You need to figure out how to fill this gap with any accomplishments during your time off work. Did you volunteer or work on any contract jobs? These are significant items to include in your resume as relevant projects along with the other jobs you have worked in the past.

Tip: Do not try to hide or lie about your employment gap. It could backfire.

Connect

You should consider getting back in touch with your former work colleagues to find out about what is new in the industry. Also, try to connect with other working moms to learn how they conducted their job search, as well as what they wish they had known while looking for a job.

Look for Mom-friendly Jobs

There are a number of websites such as DiversityJobs that help moms who are looking to restart their careers. Whether you are looking for a full-time job or a freelance opportunity, you can get access to several mom-friendly jobs in these portals. In addition, you can also join LinkedIn and Facebook groups for moms returning to the workforce in order to build your network and find the right opportunities.

Practice Interviewing

You have spent some time away from the corporate world and might feel nervous during the interview. The key to getting rid of this nervousness is to practice. You can practice interviewing using a tape recorder or in front of a mirror, and you can also ask your spouse or friends to give you a mock interview. Don’t forget to check out answers to some of the common interview questions that stay-at-home moms often receive.

Have a Solid Child Care Plan Ready

You must talk with your partner and discuss the division of labor at home once you are back to the working life. You will need to share responsibilities and have a child care plan that will allow both of you enough room to take care of your kids as well as your respective careers. Your partner may have to take some days off work as you initially settle into your new job. Achieving the perfect balance between children and career can be tricky, but there are plenty of resources to help with the process.