In these tough economic times, more stay-at-home moms are returning to the work place. What’s the best way for them to get ready? Career counselors say the first thing to focus on is attitude. Many stay-at-home parents need to get over the negative thinking, “Who will hire me now, I have been out of work for so long!”
Don’t be discouraged but be determined and focus on doing what you can to get back into the game. Here are top tips that can jump-start your decision to go back to work:
Tip #1: Get Ready and Invest in your Career. The better your education and training, the more options you will have re-entering the workforce. Many stay-at-home moms make the mistake of volunteering at school or on local town groups. Instead, take a class or register for a seminar in your field or volunteer in your area of expertise – keeping current is critical to your job search and it looks great on your resume!
Tip #2: Stay in Touch with Your Professional Network: Keep up with your peers from your prior workplace. Give them a call and stay in touch. Maintaining professional connections help peers remember you and they can often suggest an opening or other employment possibilities when they become available.
Tip #3: Polish that Resume: Take out that old resume and polish it up! You will need to customize a resume for each job you apply for, highlighting your skills and experience to the specific job requirements. Also, a three-five year absence is easy to explain, but 10 years is harder. Most human resource managers say age-related bias becomes real for both men and women over 45 and increases as we move into our 50s!
Tip #4: Do Go Back Full-Time: In these hard economic times, part-time positions or flex-time positions are harder to find, for you or anyone at any stage in their career. Make a commitment to return to work full-time and your employment options increase.
Tip#5: Find Affordable Childcare: When you do get hired, your pay may be at the low end, due to your lack of experience or the many years you have been out of the workplace. You don’t want to spend more than 40% or 50% of your income on childcare! You also have other expenses to consider: a new work wardrobe and commuting costs.
Consider hosting an au pair for very affordable childcare and the built-in flexibility it offers your family. If you are running late getting home, and your husband is away on a business trip, your live-in au pair is there to cover for you. Au pair care is cheaper than other childcare options: daycare, private babysitters or nannies. After school programs can be very expensive, and are cancelled in bad weather.
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