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How Successful Moms Prepare to Return to Work

"It's official…moms are returning to the workplace. Whether they took a brief maternity leave or disappeared for more than a decade, mothers are revisiting the jobs they once left behind. Some are even embarking on entirely new career paths that make more sense to them today. Before making their occupational homecomings, however, many moms are looking to colleges and universities to help them prepare for the important transition.

Ask any mom who has spent the last 10 years driving kids to school, attending PTA meetings, handling home chores, and organizing family activities if they have the dedication, intelligence, and drive to work for a living.

Today's employers--especially in our nation's ever-changing society--agree that mothers have plenty to contribute in the office. As a result, many companies are bolstering their leave programs to retain qualified women within their organizations. Some companies are even paying for college training to help returning mothers keep their job skills fresh and competitive.

Employers More Favorable to Returnees
A recent USAToday report found that among Fortune 500 companies, more than 90 percent are willing to hire returning mothers right now. Furthermore, they're willing to create flexible schedules or arrange telecommuting for their existing female employees who are planning to take leave. This is excellent news, since researchers in Boston have found that more than 80 percent of so-called Generation Xers who take maternity leave plan to return to work.

Despite their backgrounds and work histories, however, many moms need to go back to school before they can return to their careers. Some are lucky enough to take jobs and return to college at the same time. In 2006, an Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development survey found that among career-oriented moms, two-thirds planned to return to college for training before re-entering the workforce. Popular college programs sought by working moms were in education, healthcare, and business.

College Re-Entry Programs a Benefit to Moms
Upon returning to college, moms may find that school has changed for the better. In the past 30 years, colleges have ramped up special programs for women, particularly for women re-entering college following a hiatus--even a lengthy one. For instance, community resources on campus can help women students find mentors, create a support system, and refresh their research skills.

Also, a great number of federal, state, and college-wide funding resources have been created for single parents and working mothers. Fellowships, grants, and loans ranging from $500 to $10,000 or more are available.

Colleges also offer blended degree and training programs that combine online learning with campus-based classes. That means many moms can beef up their skills without compromising their family commitments, and mothers who have returned to the workplace can study in their free time.

Hot Tips for Moms Returning to Work
For the many moms hoping to leap back into a career, there's work to do before printing up that resume. First, consider these key questions:

• Am I planning to return to the same employer?
• Do I want to work in the same profession?
• Are my management, computer software, business, accounting, or other critical skills up to speed?
• How much college training will I need to return to my profession?

Returning to work after an extended leave of absence may be more seamless for a mother if she never fully leaves. Some moms make arrangements with employers for continuing part time or freelance work. That way, they can stay 'in the loop.' Other moms continue to work as consultants or telecommuting hourly workers during their absence.

Even if they're no longer at the office, moms can still email or telephone career mentors, former co-workers, and placement agencies that have been a large part of their success. Moms on leave can also arrange routine ""working lunches"" with friends or associates from their companies.

Moms without these professional connections can still chalk up the work-related experiences that potential employers will like to see. For example, volunteer work in the business office of a non-profit organization or a school during leave shows continuing development of job-specific or interpersonal skills. Part-time work or consulting stints--even outside of their career field--shows employers that they're staying active and developing skills.

Moms Freshen Up Their Resumes
Gaps on a resume don't have to spell doom. Liz Norwood, who founded a placement agency with three other moms, says mothers don't have to justify blanks on their resumes. They should focus on telling employers about the experience, skills, and training they bring to the workplace.

Career-placement staffers recommend that people use functional resumes when they're returning to their professions after a long break. Functional resumes cite job-specific skills and accomplishments rather than listing jobs chronologically. After presenting key skills and aptitudes on the resume, moms can build a chronology that simply lists gaps as ""time off for raising a family"" or ""maternity leave.""

In cover letters, moms should be frank, but not apologetic. Consider comments such as ""I am returning to the workplace, having raised a family"" or ""I have had a child and am now returning to work.""

It can be especially useful, on both resumes and cover letters, for moms to show potential employers precisely how they kept working or training during their hiatus. This shows a dedication to self-improvement and a work ethic that can be valuable within a workplace.

Moms may find that it takes persistence and dedication to update their training to polish up a dazzling resume. But their experience at home has already taught them much of what they need to know about those virtues."

Article Source: http://www.dummiesguideto.com

Kelli Smith is the editor of Edu411. Edu411 is a career education directory for finding colleges and universities, training schools, and technical institutes. For more information about careers, online and campus based career programs, please visit us at edu411.

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