I’ve had a series of conversations with clients recently about mothers looking to return to the paid workforce. (I’m always very careful to specify “paid workforce” because any mother knows that staying home to raise children and run a household is in and of itself a full workload.) I’ve assembled five tips based on the book Going Back to Work: A Survival Guide for Comeback Moms by Mary W. Quigley and Loretta E. Kaufman. Published in 2004, it’s not a new release, but it has earned a spot in my careers library for offering strong content, smart reminders, and actionable advice for parents wanting or planning their return to a professional career.
1. Network. Rather than ask for a job, seek advice from others on how to achieve your ambition and be open to talking with nonbusiness acquaintances as well. You never know who or what someone knows.
2. Resume. Highlight your skills and qualifications from all of your cumulative experiences, not just paid work positions. Also “steer the resume in the direction you want it to go” (truthfully, of course). Both of these suggestions can be tricky to implement. There may be a time where investing in partnering with a certified resume writer is a smart decision. The right resume writer will be able to extract all of your relevant skills from your experience and compile the information into a compelling document.
3. Interviewing. Don’t fall prey to discussing your family while answering the “Tell me about yourself” question. This is critical and a very common trap for mothers beginning to interview again. Focus your answer on your skills and why you are a good fit for the role. Check out more tips and strategies on interviewing for parents returning to work: single best interview tip for parents returning to work
4. Offer Negotiation. When it comes to flex time, two points to keep in mind: (1) Do your research on each company’s flex options and culture, and (2) Delay your request for any flex work arrangement until they are trying to “wow” you. Definitely ask about it, but don’t ask too early.
5. First Impressions. While more offices are business casual nowadays, don’t let your work ethic go casual along with your attire and try to always appear calm, collected, and organized.
I applaud you for returning to work while currently raising children, or even after they have left the nest. The re-entry is challenging even if you have kept up your skills and stayed current with your industry. I’ve been there so I speak from experience. There is no better time than now to speak to a career professional who can review and/or rewrite your resume, coach you on interviewing skills, and help with salary negotiation strategies. January through March/April is the highest hiring season of the year. I’m sure you want to be ready when January rolls around – it is only a month away!
Additional related posts you may enjoy: Stay-at-home moms
I would welcome a call or email if you would like to chat about your career goals.
