The 3 R's of Returning to Work After Being a Stay at Home Mom
Some women choose to stay at home while their children are young. Sometimes it makes more sense financially for the family due to the cost of childcare compared to the mother’s current salary. Others prefer to sacrifice the income of one parent to have more time at home with the kids before they start school. Stay-at-home moms may choose to enter the workforce again once the children are in school or if the financial or marital status changes. Many reasons may influence this decision. For many women who have been out of work for a while, the thought of applying to jobs can be overwhelming. If you are considering going back to work, here are some helpful hints for starting the process and making it a smooth transition.
- Research
Before applying to any job, do your research. Compile a list of the types of jobs you would be interested in, noting job requirements and preferences. Next, brainstorm a list of all relevant or transferable skills you have. These skills can help show a potential employer how you may benefit the team, even if you do not have similar work experience or have a large gap in your work history. If you volunteered or used certain skills for a non-work experience that could be transferable, document these as well. For example, if you are used to cooking for church fundraisers using restaurant equipment, you could highlight that for a food service job.
- Resume
Your resume is the first look an employer gets of you as a possible candidate worthy of an interview for their opening. For this reason, it is imperative that your resume is polished and perfect. There should not be any spelling or grammar errors. It would be helpful to have a friend or family member look over the resume. This is especially true if that individual is involved in the hiring process at their own job because they see resumes frequently and know what hiring managers are looking for.
Your cover letter is a time to personalize the letter specifically for each company you are sending your application to so that you can show you are serious and have done your research. A cover letter goes hand in hand with a resume and should be carefully written as well. It is okay to mention your time as a stay-at-home parent. Your resume and cover letter can be a way to focus on skills you may have learned during that time frame. If you took an online class or course, now is the time to mention that. If you volunteered for certain things, find ways to spin your tasks into relatable skillsets for the job you are applying for.
- Refresh
Landing a new job can be a challenging task. Often you are competing against many other qualified individuals. It can be harder to land a job after taking a break to care for your children, but it is by no means impossible. You should be prepared to apply to many jobs and brace yourself for rejection. It is okay, and it is a part of the application process for everyone, not just those parents who chose to stay home to raise their children for a period. If you are struggling, consider a refresh. This can be as simple as taking an online course, learning a new skill or obtaining a certificate. These efforts show employers you are serious about getting back to work and can make you more marketable. Be sure to choose a course, certificate, or skill relevant to the job or jobs you would ideally like.
Just because you stepped away from the workforce for a period of time does not mean employers will not find you valuable. The process will take work and time, but this is true for most individuals applying for jobs. Be resilient and keep on trying. At first, you may need to be a little more flexible in what job you are willing to take. You can do this! Getting recent work experience can help you land an ideal job. Entering the workforce again is challenging, but so is being a parent.
