I am often asked by stay-at-home parents re-entering the workforce how to begin looking for a job, especially if they’ve been at home for a number of years with small children. First of all, I must say that for anyone who thinks that staying at home with young kids is “not working” is dead wrong! As a mother of two active young girls, I know how much energy, resourcefulness and wisdom is required to be at home with children. Stay-at-home parents are amazing (as are working parents who are also doing a juggling act)!
Here are a few tips that can help get you started:
- Try to reconnect with former colleagues. They can become your new network.
- Join a professional association related to your career so that you make new contacts and get on top of industry trends and issues.
- Update your resume! Don’t forget to look at the volunteer work you may have been doing and how these skills can transfer to valuable experience.
- Register with an agency like BOWEN and talk to a recruiter about any additional training you may require to be current in your field.
- Frequently search online. There are a wealth of job postings on-line. Target companies that you are interested in, check out professional associations and job boards too.
- Tell people you are looking for a job because you just don’t know who might know someone who is looking to hire.
Most of all, believe in yourself and what you have to offer. Don’t apologize for taking time off to raise a family. Be proud of this accomplishment and be honest about why you are going back to work.
Tags: employment, human resources, job search, networking
