 Image Credit: bernardbodo from Getty Images Pro |
Here are some tips to make the task easier!
1. Decide what you want to do. This is a very important step. Do you want to go back to doing what you did before you stayed home with your kids? Are you interested in full-time? Part-time? Hourly? Salary? Does money matter, or are you more interested in fulfilling a "void" you've been missing since staying home? Making these decisions before you start your job search will ensure that you aren't wasting your time looking for and applying for jobs that don't match your work goals.
2. Build your resume. If this means taking a position that initially won't pay what you're looking for, but will end up paving the way for better jobs while you transition into "working mom," do it! It will pay off in more ways than one! Volunteering in the field you want to work in is also a fabulous way to build your resume.
3. Update your resume. Or create one if you don't have one. This goes hand-in-hand with building your resume, above. This step is tricky and intimidating, especially for parents who have stayed at home for years. How do you explain your "lack of work" for the past five years? How do you tell the recruiter, on a piece of paper, that you did everything under the sun while you were a stay-at-home mom? If you need resume-writing help, no matter what your level of work experience, there are resources to help you. You can even pay a resume writer! The expense is worth it to attract the attention of the recruiter in your job search.
4. Tap into your resources. When I wanted to leave my full-time job after my son was born, I knew I wanted to stay in the workforce, but also stay home with my kids. I scoured the job postings online and applied for a bunch. But what ultimately gave me the balance I was looking for was reaching out to my very first employer; the one I had left seven years prior. I asked if they needed any help and explained what I was looking for. Soon I was working from home, spending time with my kids, and enjoying my perfect work-life balance! In a lot of cases, it really is "who you know" and networking may be the difference between finding employment and still searching. Don't be shy! Pick up the phone and call your contacts!
 Image Credit: Canva Pro | jamesteohArt |
5. Explore opportunities wherever you can. This means scour the internet for job postings and your local unemployment office. Check your community listings for local job fairs and meet prospective employers face-to-face. Talk to your working friends and family about any openings at their places of employment.
6. Consider positions that will lead to your dream job. Starting your new "working mom" gig might mean taking a lower position and salary than what you were expecting or what you were used to. Don’t get discouraged. Remember that these will ultimately contribute to a healthier, happier work-life balance for you and your family.
7. Give it time. It may take 3 or 6 months to find your new career and re-enter the job force. Maybe it will take longer. Make a regular schedule for your job search. Maybe you can devote one hour per day (nap time?) to your search. Gather your resources. Get out of the house and meet prospective employers. And resist the urge to feel defeated after a month or two if you haven't found work. The perfect opportunity will come. Be patient!
 Image Credit: Canva Pro | sitthiphong |
8. Be flexible. This applies to a couple of areas of your job search. If a recruiter wants to conduct a phone screen at 8 PM on a Sunday, do it. If a prospective employer wants you to interview during nap time on a Wednesday, make it happen. You don't have to turn your life upside down, but you should let the company see that you can be flexible and work within their time constraints during the job search.
9. Nail the interview. Show up early, but not too early. (10 minutes seems to be the sweet spot. Any earlier shows a disrespect for the interviewers' time.) Do not be late. Dress professionally. Practice your handshake. Be prepared. (Research the company before your interview so you are knowledgeable about who they are, what they do, and what they stand for.) Speak confidently. Ask questions. Believe in yourself.
10. Get the job!
You worked hard during the months and/or years you were a stay-at-home parent. Never be apologetic for the time you took for your family. It may have made your current job search more difficult than someone who never left the workforce, but job hunting is difficult no matter what the circumstances. Be the best you that you can be, and remember that there is a perfect company and a perfect position for everyone. Now get out there and find it!
About Nicole: Aside from publishing Macaroni Kid Annapolis every week, Nicole is also a professional recruiter with 10+ years of sourcing, interviewing, and hiring under her belt.
