Earlier this week, I wrote about my decision to return to the traditional workforce, or at least make myself more open to exploring opportunities in a regular full-time job. Now, it’s time to make things happen – yikes!
If the decision to return to work isn’t already tough for working moms, the act of doing it can be equally as daunting, especially in an economy where candidates are overflowing and jobs are scarce. Despite these challenges, you can find work that fits into your life.
Focus on what you really want.
Finding the right job for your life begins with knowing what you want. “A big mistake job seekers make is lack of focus,” advises Career Counselor Markell Steele of Futures in Motion, Inc. A helpful way to gain focus is to write a job description for your ideal position. This step clarifies the things you say you want in definite terms. It should include: your specific role, function and responsibility; where you work (i.e. from home, in an office, length of commute, etc.); your work schedule; how much you earn; and desired benefits. During the job search process you’ll use this job description to make decisions about opportunities you want to pursue or pass.
Know your options.
Every day, working mothers are redefining outdated perceptions of work. Work comes in many different forms from traditional full-time employment outside the home to flexible, telecommuting arrangements. As you begin your job search, spend time learning about the job you want. The Occupational Outlook Handbook is a useful resource that describes necessary training, potential earnings, and the typical working conditions for most any job you’re considering. Also, consider specific employers where your personality, skills, experiences and desires would be an ideal match. A final consideration is the option to start a business. According to the Center for Women’s Business Research, there are 10.2 million women owned firms in the US that generated $1.9 trillion in sales as of 2008. Your ideal job may be as a business owner.
Be prepared.
Working mothers face the same challenges as any job seeker, especially in today’s highly competitive job market. You must stand out in a faceless pile of resumes. As a mom, you have even more to think about. Nami Richardson, a Senior Human Resources Manager and mother of one, explains, “working mothers should be prepared to answer any gaps in their resume, respond to illegal questions (unfortunately interviewers still ask them), and present yourself clearly on paper and in person.” To meet these unique job search challenges, moms should connect with relevant resources like Women for Hire (www.womenforhire.com), an organization that connects employers with career women, as well as providing those women with advice on advancement. Career counselors can also help. Besides giving advice and guidance on job hunting, a career counselor can assess your talents, skills, personality and experience to help you decide the type of work that’s best for you.
Network with an open mind.
The best jobs are not found in the Sunday paper or Internet job boards. You must get out there and toot your horn! And don’t limit who you talk to about your job search. Steele encourages her clients to keep an open mind about who might be able to help. She describes a recent situation where a woman “told me she only tells people what she thinks they want to hear about her based on their position, role and title.” Don’t overlook people who may not obviously be able to help; everyone you meet can potentially lead you to your next job. Consider who you already know – neighbors, friends, family, co-workers, etc. – and who they know. Then, mention what you’re looking for and simply ask, “Do you know anyone looking for someone like me?”
Don’t give up.
Job-hunting can be time consuming and stressful, especially when you’re juggling your role as a mom. When you’ve been on the job-hunting “circuit” for a while, it’s easy to become discouraged. “Job hunting can be a demoralizing process,” says Steele. Be kind to yourself. Notice when you’re pushing yourself too hard. “Be diligent in your job search and do your homework,” says Richardson. Finding your ideal job takes time and you may need to slow down your efforts to recharge and clarify what you want. Regardless, stay focused and don’t give up.
Excerpted from 5 Success Strategies for Job Seeking Moms originally published May 19, 2009.
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Well done on your brief but clear set of guidelines for women returners. This fits so well with how we are working with our women returner community in the UK. Looking for a new job is a job in itself and you need to get into the right frame of mind, have a clear goal and approach your return to work project with the same motivation and energy as if you were in paid work. This can be a tall order when you have so many other demands on your time and maybe financial pressure to get a job quickly.
In the current climate with fewer advertised jobs, networking should be a really key part of your return to work plan. Definitely approach this with an open mind and cast your net wide as you never know who it will put you in contact with. Many mums are nervous of networking for jobs as they think it is selling. Networking – if you are doing it right- isn’t a hard, direct sell. In our experience mums actually have some natural networking ability and just need to use this skill to discover the unadvertised job opportunties that the herds aren’t already chasing on jobs boards and the like.
Keep open minded and you never know what might just come up which could be a stepping stone to something else – it is a journey after all.
Thanks for adding your insights to this discussion Majella. I definitely agree. Even in an up market, networking is a necessary element of an effective job search and trust me, my network is a huge asset right now!