Clearly identify any worries you have so they can be solved before you even begin the job search. Here are some common ones:
* Finding a job that that fits in with your family needs, especially hours and location * Worrying if your skills are still up-to-date with what's required by employers. Click here for business administration and computer training * Competing against younger candidates who may have greater skills than you
8 Steps to Prepare to Return to Work
The next 8 steps are the most important things you need to consider:
1. Prepare your resume
As well as a resume (read our tips on resumes), you will have to write a cover letter that persuasively outlines that you have the skills, knowledge and experience to do the job.
Beware that generic cover letters are identified immediately, and are scorned by the recruitment industry!
Tailor your resume for each specific job advertisement - this can often mean the difference between an interview and rejection.
2. Update your skills
Keeping your skills up-to-date is one of the most important aspects of remaining valuable to a company. If you don't have a working knowledge of computers, now may be the time to put that right. Click here for computer and office administration training.
There are many different courses to choose from including day and evening, distance learning, full-time and part-time, run by your local TAFE, Community Centre or private colleges.
3. Know Your Skills and Achievements
When applying for jobs, writing letters or attending interviews - focus on your achievements. You will probably have done much more than a younger applicant and this could work well in your favour.
Be specific about what you have done and try to give results. For instance, if you regularly organise social functions, such as at playgroups or school functions, give the relevant details, the budget you worked to, the number of people you organised, the publicity you generated or the money you raised.
If you attend committee meetings, use this to demonstrate that you can be an effective member of a team. If you take the minutes it will show that you have secretarial skills. Life skills are something that cannot be learned - they come from experience.
Your ability to handle more than one project at once, your negotiation skills, power of diplomacy and tact are all attributes which are refined with the experience of being a mum and which are eagerly sought by many employers.
The art of skilful communication comes with those years of practice!
4. Network
Around 60% of the best opportunities for the mothers returning to work come through contacts so it's important to keep in touch with business colleagues and people who may offer opportunities later on. If you have a professional magazine - read it - to keep in touch with what is happening and who is doing what.
Don't turn down opportunities to meet prospective employers even if you don't think you're ready to return and always be positive about your own career prospects. If you don't believe in yourself you can't expect others to do so.
5. Dress for Success
Go through your wardrobe and select three suits that:
# Flatter your current body shape # Are classic cuts with a business image # Are clean, freshly-pressed and lint-free # Fit in with the season, eg light colours for summer
Also, check the heels of your shoes to ensure they are in good repair, give the shoes a polish, and always wear hosiery.
6. Consider Temping and Contracting
Advising recruitment consultants that you are open to temping or contracting will give you 300% more job opportunities!
Take a job at a lower level if it means you can get in that way too. Once you are in an organisation you can quickly show them what you are made of and what your strengths are.
Don't limit your choice either - you may feel that large international companies will offer you the best chance but it is more likely that small local businesses can offer better prospects for experienced workers.
7. Parenting Skills = Work Skills
Reflect on all the positive things that being a parent has taught you...
You are probably able to deal with crisis situations better than someone who is young and inexperienced.
Are there any other skills that you've honed while being a parent?
8. Visualize a job offer at the first interview
If you've been invited to an interview, then you have an excellent chance of being offered the job! It's worth spending time preparing for a positive response for this important event.
You can benefit from our advanced interview workshops, by learning a winning visualization technique that boosts your confidence in the interview.
Trust that the interviewer wants to help you, they are on your side and are there to find out why you want the job, what particular skills you have for it and assess how you would fit into the company.
Remember that the interviewer, in addition to learning about your experience, will also want to hear about your future goals. This will indicate that you want to succeed further, develop new skills and that you have the necessary drive and determination to succeed.
Find out as much as you can about the company before the interview so that you can show your interest by asking two or three questions.
Still not sure if you should go back to work?
Activity for You to do
Write down the advantages and disadvantages of:
1. Going back to work 2. Staying at home
It is sometimes easier to make a decision when you have the facts down in black and white.
6 Tips for Resume Writing if You are Returning to Work Reprinted with kind permission from Melbourne Resumes [www.melbourneresumes.com.au]. Melbourne Resumes was created in 2005 from a decade of experience in recruitment and training and a passion to help people get a job that they really enjoy. Bonnie Cameron founded the company after a decade in recruitment and training office administration skills at Registered Training Organisations across Melbourne.
