It’s not easy, going back to work after having kids.
And the more time you have away from the workforce, the harder it can be to get that lucky break and land a position.
I was fortunate enough to be able to stay at home full time, from early 1994 (just before our son was born) … it wasn’t until late 2002 that we felt it was time I returned to the paid workforce.
It’s not like I did nothing during those 8 or 9 years – in addition to looking after children and home (a full time job in itself!), I managed to:
- write and sell a number of articles to magazines (see below);
- make a small profit buying designer label / good quality children’s clothing from op shops, and selling them on Ebay;
- coordinate a stall for the school fete, and help with numerous other activities at the school;
- run a ladies group;
- produce a fundraising cookbook for my church;
- volunteer in the church office and prepare the weekly newsletter;
- launch, produce and distribute a quarterly magazine with the 101 tasks that involved (from graphic design to maintaining the customer database);
- organise numerous fundraising and church events;
- do quite a bit of public speaking at groups, meetings, conferences and workshops.
There’s no doubt I kept my skills up (and even learned new ones!). I was still using a computer and various software programs on a daily basis, handling finances, managing volunteers. I showed initiative, motivation and dedication.
Yet – when the time came for me to return to the workforce – no employer would take me seriously. They either ignored or completely discounted all that I had achieved because it wasn’t “paid”.
So if you are a mum wanting to return to the workforce and feeling that you are being overlooked, you are not alone. I’ve been there.
After numerous knockbacks, instead of seeking out a permanent position, I signed up with a temp agency to get some “current” work experience. During that time I worked in both the private and public sectors, doing reception, data entry, transcription, and accounts work. Some roles lasted all of a week. Another kept me employed for several months.
As a bonus, temping also gave me a good idea of what sort of a job I really wanted – big department or small office? Full time or part time? Accounts or customer service? Local or further afield? It was a great “trial run” for my family also, to see what it would be like when mum went back to work – and there were still many weeks when I was back at home. I really do recommend it to other mums looking to make the transition from home to paid work.
At last, when I started applying for permanent jobs I began to get asked to interviews. By the time I had a few interviews under my belt, I was much more prepared for whatever questions were thrown at me.
And then – I was offered two great jobs in one day – wouldn’t you know it!
My kids were in Years 4 and 2 when I began working at the local library on a casual basis – which fitted in beautifully with our family life at that point in time.
How long did you take off work when you had kids? Was it difficult to find another job?
As much as the irregular income has been painful in my entire working career, contract and temp work have given me amazing experience that I couldn’t have gotten elsewhere.
I had trouble finding work to fit around my uni timetable when I was studying on campus, so I volunteered a day per week instead.
It can also be scary walking into a new workplace every few weeks! But for anybody considering temping, I’d say give it a go.
I’m still currently off work with bub and plan to be until she starts school. Maybe longer if we get pregnant again. I plan on studying to be an early childhood educator once I’m ready to go back so I’ll have a new qualification under my belt and if needs be my friend runs a home daycare so I can do some work experience there to make my resume look better. Hopefully it’ll work out. I’d still prefer to be part time though so I can spend some time helping out at school activities and committees. #teamIBOT
Childcare seems to be a growing industry with lots of demand, and it sounds like you have a great plan, so I’m sure you’ll find a way back in when the time comes!
It took me a while to find employment after 13 years too. I ended up glossing over the whole stay at home parent aspect of my life in my resume and filled it with my volunteer roles that I’d had that whole time. It worked. No employer wants to know that you have been at home wiping noses for 13 years.
Employers can be so short-sighted!
I never had a break from full-time work except for two maternity leave periods. I retired early from being a principal and then after a break I wanted to teach again. The thing is with teaching is that there is always some work there. I added another qualification while working part-time and temp at a friend’s school and became an ESL teacher for kids and adults in college. After another time off…retired at 60, I missed the income and professional role so at 63 got some contract work as a Uni tutor and supervisor. Finally let go of paid work last year. I do not want to ever work again for anyone. I have found even volunteering is not for me. I am glad, though, that IF needed, my teaching qualifications are current and I could do a day’s casual teaching..but I hope that I never have to do that. Great post Janet!
Teaching is one of those jobs that we will always have need of. Good to hear you are finally fully retired and loving it!
Hello, I know a few mums struggling to get back into the workforce and will forward them this URL as your tips are tops.
I worked fulltime in TV before I had kids but have only worked from home in the past 19 years and that suits me FINE. In fact I nearly fainted last week when my husband suggested I look for a full-time job… he has been made redundant so it makes sense. EEK!!
I will have a look but meantime I’m just upping my workload and being more businesslike about it.
Hi Seana, my hubster was made redundant last year as well so I understand what you are going through – the good news is he went straight into a temp contract, and from there to a permanent position. So even in his case, temping was part of the solution! Hope your hubby finds a job soon x
I’m nervous because I’ve only ever had casual retail jobs! Having a baby at 20, and being at home ever since is not the ideal way to start a career. Next year will be very interesting for me.