Posted by Maggie MistalIf you're a stay-at-home mom trying to rejoin the workforce, chances are you have lots of questions about the smoothest path back to employment. To help I was recently on Living Today with Mario Bosquez sharing career advice tips for moms returning to work. In case you missed it, read on for highlights and check out my video on How to Rejoin the Workforce After a Break from Motherhood.
If you're not interested in going back to the same career you had before a family, try making a list of what you don’t want. For many moms, returning to work after family means less tolerance for long hours or a long commute. So create an ideal job description that has flexibility and time freedom built-in. If you’re not sure it’s possible think again. There are many staffing firms that focus on flexible career opportunities including MomCorps and Flexible Executives.
Virtual careers are also a viable option for most working moms. Growing areas include virtual assisting where you can use your skills on project-based work for clients all over the world while working from home. Find out more at International Virtual Assistant Association (IVAA). Tune in for more career advice on my radio show, Making a Living -- it airs again next Wednesday, May 13.
From: Leah Rife | 6/29/09 at 4:27 pm
Tell me if this is absolutely crazy. I have been a stay-at-home mom for 10 years, however, in the last four years I have obtained a bachelors degree in accounting and business. My resume is not working for me due to the economy, but more due to my 10 year gap. I would like to list my responsibilities as a stay-at-home mom as ome of my most "recent jobs" as well as adding my last four years (2005-2008)for my education as part of that chronilogical timeline. Is this crazy? I am so frusturated. I am even willing to take a customer service position to help in getting into a company to work my way into the accounting department preparing financials, but I am not even getting calls for these applied customer service positions.
From: Melanie Brown-Harris | 8/16/09 at 4:40 pm
In Jan. 2005, I decided to move to teaching in the public school system after 14 years of being a manager working for some Fortune 500 companies. My reason to move to teaching was mostly due to having more time spent with my children and it was an opportunity to give back to the community. However, over the past year, I have been trying to get back to the private sector without much success. I have an MBA (2002) and BS in Engineering (manufacturing management most of my career). I would like to use my management skills and experience to transition to the service sector but its not working. Any ideas?
From: ButterflyMom | 12/14/09 at 3:44 pm
One of the resources you may not have heard of is a global social network that provides free advice and solutions called MyWorkButterfly.com with a career coach, psychotherapist and a national job board (with over 10,000 posts). There are experts in work/life, child care, health, money too. We offer exclusive celebrity & hi-profile mom videos to provide moms with inspiration and for them to know they are not alone.
Check it out.
From: Medela symphony | 1/24/10 at 2:10 pm
I am one of those moms certainly, my baby girl is already one year old, I think I should look for jobs right away, it's really high time for me!
Nicole
From: Chung Mahaney | 7/16/11 at 6:41 pm
I'm not sure exactly why but this website is loading incredibly slow for me. Is anyone else having this problem or is it a problem on my end? I'll check back later and see if the problem still exists.