Having children is a wonderful time in anybody’s life, but for most mums the return to work is inevitable at some point. There’s a lot of emotions at play and it’s never an easy thing to do. While we can’t take away your natural instinct to stay at home with your little ones, these tips should make it easier to plan your return to the workforce.
1. Get in the Right Mindset, Minus the Mummy Guilt!
For most mums, the thought of leaving their young child/ren in someone else’s care while they return to work can be extremely difficult. The term ‘mummy guilt’ is very real, and it’s not something to be ashamed of. It’s also totally ok to start thinking about you again, and your family’s wider needs.
Once you get into the right mindset to return to work, you’ll feel much better about the whole process. Remember, working is a part of life, and often essential to giving your children the best possible upbringing – so don’t feel bad. It also sets a great example for them later in life!
2. Brush Up Your Resume and Start Looking Early
Once you decide it’s almost time to get back to work, start preparing straight away. Depending on your skill-set, it can take time to get that first job back, particularly if you’re looking for family-friendly part-time hours.
Start by knowing the types of jobs and hours you’re looking for then polish up your cover letter and resume and your LinkedIn profile. That way, when you find that perfect job advertised, you’ll be ready to apply straight away.
3. Set Realistic Goals
It’s important to set realistic goals and not overload yourself. When you’re returning to the workforce, the job search can sometimes feel like its own full-time work. Try to set aside an achievable amount of time each week for job search activities. It might only be 1 or 2 hours a week, and that’s fine.
Use the time to work on your resume or LinkedIn profile, to chat with recruiters, or search for jobs and send applications, but don’t let it take over your life!
4. Use Your Network – They’ve Got Your Back!
Finding the right kind of employer who supports your work goals can be hard, so cast the net far and wide. Friends and family are a great source of help. It’s amazing the type of leads you might generate from a simple Facebook post announcing that you’re looking to return to the workforce.
5. Believe in Yourself and Just Do It
Most of all, remember how great you are! You’ve done this before, and you haven’t lost your skills and abilities by having children. Sometimes things do move on, for example, if you’ve previously worked in accounts, there might be a new accounting program to tackle, but the fundamentals don’t change and neither does your ability to learn and call upon past experiences and knowledge.
Self-belief is the key. You might not get your dream job straight away, but remember the skills and experiences you’ve got to offer. Take the leap!
Need Help Getting Back to Work?
If you’re still unsure where to start your return to the workforce, we’d love to help you on the way. We have a range of services available to help at all stages of your career. Contact us today, and find out how we can get you back to loving both your home and working life!
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