Stay-at-home moms wishing to re-enter the workforce eventually should take steps to keep skills up to date.
Stay at home moms contact us daily and they all share one desire. They wish to work on a flexible, part-time basis to earn extra money and keep their skills up to date. These ladies love being hands-on moms. They willingly left full-time careers to stay home with their kids. Now, they are investigating the possibility of balancing family and part-time work.
They know that one day they will re-enter the workforce full-time. Some may have to return to the working world, for one reason or another, long before they thought they would. They know that when they do attempt to return, the gap in their resume will create a huge disadvantage. So, they are thinking ahead. They want to fill that gap with flexible, part-time work. They’ll have references and marketable skills to show for their time away from full-time work.
We encourage Stay-at-home moms to think ahead to the day they may return to work. The time to prepare for returning to work will come at different stages for different women. Some begin planning within months of being at home. For others it is only after a few years that they feel ready to make that decision. Whatever the timing, we advise them to put more than thought into it.
If you were in a field that is greatly affected by technology, policy changes or other advancements, being out for even a few short years can make your skills obsolete. If you wish to return to that field we suggest that you keep up with the happenings in that industry. Stay connected to your previous employer, your industry associations, journals and other publications. Take classes to update your skills and keep you in the game.
You may decide to pursue a totally new field when you do re-enter. Wouldn’t it be great to explore your interests to determine where you belong? How about testing your skills to see if you’ve still got it? A Free Career Assessment helps you gauge your interest and capabilities. Evaluation is a great tool in your overall strategy.
Whenever you choose to return to work is up to you. Just plan ahead and know what you want to do. You'll find more helpful resources at Smart Moms Online.
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