Stay-at-Home Mom to Working Mom in 6 Steps
by Kathy Seaton
Transitioning from full-time mom to working mom can be difficult without proper preparation. In our fast-paced world, even five years of leave from the corporate world can seem like decades. Here are some useful tips for landing your first job back in the workforce after a year or more at home.
- Identify your interests.
Once you feel ready to get back into the workforce, you might be faced with deciding exactly what you want to do. Your first inclination may be to return to your pre-motherhood career, but is that really exactly what you want?
Weigh your options. Sit down and list your current hobbies and interests that have developed since becoming a mom. As a stay-at-home mom you have gained specialized skills that can be applied to careers in project management, social work, hospitality, and even culinary arts or nursing. Explore your thoughts and don’t be afraid to take a step in a new direction.
- Get up to speed on your past career or go back to school for a new career.
If you’ve narrowed down a field you’d like to enter or re-enter, it’s time to update your skills. It doesn’t matter if it’s been two or 10 years since you’ve been on the clock, it’s important to research what’s required of you in order to be competitive in the current marketplace.
Consider completing a certificate program that enhances your previous bachelor’s degree or one that will supply you with new skills altogether. Certificate programs require less financial commitment; and there are more online learning options available than ever before. Take time to do your research and find a program that suits your pocketbook and schedule. Many programs can be completed in a year or less so you can get prepared and back in the job market in no time.
- Begin online job hunting.
Use job sites, such as Indeed, to look for jobs in your community. Or if you have your eye on a specific company, browse their career website to see if they have any openings. Another place to look is Glassdoor, which not only allows you to search for jobs, but to see firsthand what it’s like to work at the company because of reviews posted by former and current employees.
By looking at online job postings, you are better able to see the requirements that are necessary for the position you want. This could mean you’ll need to volunteer somewhere to acquire these skills or go back to school to obtain necessary certifications before you actually begin applying for jobs.
- Spruce up your resume.
Your resume should reflect your current role as a stay-at-home mom. You may have a gap in work experience, but you haven’t stopped learning -whether it’s through new hobbies or volunteering. If, for example, you’ve raised funds or served on a committee or board during your time away from the workforce, make sure you include these sought-after skills on your resume.
- Get the word out to your personal network (online and offline) that you are back on the job market.
Network with those around you – there’s a good chance you know a handful of women (and men) in your peer group whose employer is searching for qualified candidates to fill open positions. This can help you score interviews or gain access to information about openings at companies or organizations that are of interest to you. Remember your personal network – both online via your LinkedIn network and offline via your peer network – is a great resource for more than just career advice. These contacts can potentially help you get your foot in the door at their company or a friend of a friend’s company.
- Brush up on your interviewing and salary negotiation skills.
Many local libraries offer interview prepping for those getting back to work, such as stay-at-home moms. Check your local library to see if they offer such prep classes. This will allow you to practice mock interviews to get out the nervous butterflies before the real interview happens. Search online for interviewing tips or practice interviewing with a friend who can give you valuable feedback and help you identify areas in which you can improve.
Don’t overlook the importance of effective salary negotiation skills in landing the job you want. There’s a right way and a wrong way to conduct a salary negotiation, so make sure you do your research. Find out the salary range for the position you are seeking and come prepared to discuss your salary demands.
After putting these useful tips into practice, you’ll be well on your way from stay-at-home mom to working mom. Be prepared for tough questions. The work environment has changed over the years with the downturn in the economy and the rapidly increasing technology advancements. Set yourself apart from the rest of the candidates by showing that you have both the technological skills and interpersonal skills to succeed.