job search tips for moms returning to the workforce

AS THIS WEEKEND IS MOTHER’S DAY WEEKEND, THIS ARTICLE PROVIDING JOB SEARCH TIPS TO MOTHERS who wish to return to the workforce seemed timely. It has often been said that a mother’s work is never done. Now, imagine that work includes returning to work – the paid workforce, that is – after being away to raise children.

HOW YOU STRUCTURE

YOUR JOB SEARCH DEPENDS ON HOW

LONG YOU HAVE BEEN AWAY. 

The shorter the time, the more current your skills are, and therefore less work is needed on your part. If you have been away for years, longer term planning is required. What constitutes short- and long-term really depends on your industry, but below are some job search tips that can apply to each scenario.

APPLY TO YOUR PREVIOUS COMPANY

They know you have the skills, they know you have the

experience, and best of all, you know the corporate

culture. If you are on friendly terms with any of the

managers, call them – they may be able to find a position (possibly hidden ones too) for

you.

TALK WITH RECRUITERS 

Why do all of the work yourself when you can have

others helping you? Recruiters know who is

hiring, what experience they need, which companies are

family-friendly…take advantage of this resource

during your job search.

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. 

You need to know to sell yourself and how to explain the gap in your experience.

Write down all possible questions and practice

answering every one of them. Then practice in front of

family, friends, or even the mirror – face-to-face

interaction tends to be more difficult, so remove that hurdle

from your job search.

LOOK FOR THE HIDDEN JOB MARKET. 

Talk to everyone you know and let them know you are job searching. Don’t ask them if they know of a job opening. Instead, ask them if

they could introduce you to someone they know that it will be

helpful for you to talk with.

This will expand your network and eventually your resume may get passed along to a

company that needs your skills – but without the competition.

TRY TEMPING

While this won’t work for all types of careers, it can certainly give you a taste of the workplace again. Also, some companies

like to hire their temporary employees – and that could be you.

BE PRO-ACTIVE 

Again, while your skills and concepts in your career may

still be current, your experience may not be. Take a course, workshop, or seminar

to boost your educational background. A

part-time job, volunteer work, or even a one-time gig related

to your field can show that you have remained invested

in your work and that you can prove it.

REMOVE “MOM” FROM YOUR RESUME.

MOM

No, you probably didn’t have this word in it, but while being a mom is definitely hard work, it isn’t the

kind of experience that most companies require (unless you

are a daycare facility).To make your job search

smoother, make sure your experience and skills, in your cover letter, resume, and in interviews, relate directly to what the company needs.

ADJUST YOUR EXPECTATIONS

Especially if you have been out of the workforce for a while. It takes

time to build confidence, trust, and knowledge – both for you

and your prospective employer – so that you again are recognized

as a valued employee.That means you may not jump into the same level you once were at.

But you can get back there, just not necessarily at the start.

BE PATIENT, BE REALISTIC, AND STAY CONFIDENT

Getting into the workforce nowadays is no easy task…and

getting back in after a sabbatical to raise children is

even more difficult. Jobs probably won’t jump into your

lap, but with perseverance, dedication, and positivity, you

will be successful in your job search.

Michelle Dumas runs of one of the longest-standing and most respected 

professional résumé writing firms on the internet, Distinctive Career Services, LLC (dba Distinctive Documents). Since 1996, Michelle

has empowered thousands of professionals with résumés that get results and win jobs fast. Get insider résumé writing tips that you won't find

anywhere else at her website. Go now to www.distinctiveweb.comThe Internet’s Résumé & Career

Marketing Specialists…Since 1996www.distinctiveweb.com

resumes@distinctiveweb.com (800) 644-9694

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