Joining the SPB team, Kate Sykes the director of Career Mums (www.careermums.com.au) will be sharing her expertise in re-entering the workforce in this updated page each issue.  Career Mums is an innovative new web portal that connects mothers with Family Friendly employment.  An absolute God send for single parents.

Getting back in the game

Going back to work can be an emotional and anxious time for mums.  Emotional because it is probably the first time you have been apart from your child or children for long periods of time.  Anxious because you may doubt your skills and abilities in the workplace because you have been so engrossed in the most challenging role of your life – parenting. 

When you eventually start a new job or return to your job after maternity leave, I guarantee that your confidence will return very quickly.  You will more than likely tackle work issues differently (as parenthood can teach you a thing or two!) and you will thrive in an adult environment that is yours.

Before you begin your job search, consider a few building blocks.

Stay Active
It is so important to stay active in your career even if you are not currently employed or you have been out of the workplace for a while.  Have you participated in relevant trade associations, attended workshops or events, taken an evening course, stayed up-to-date with industry reading, or participated in networking functions?  These activities are ways of keeping yourself and your resume up to date – and help to fill in ‘the gap’!

Researching the job market – Ways to go about it
• Talk to everyone you know!  Let family, friends, and your Mother’s Group know that you are looking for a job.  Chat to mums who have already returned to the workplace.  Their advice will be invaluable.  If you communicate your desire to return to work with other people, you never know where a job lead may come from.
• Search online and in newspapers.  Take specific note of the skill required in the jobs that interest you.
• If you are a current member of an industry association or professional group, start attending functions to network and understand current issues.  An example of a professional group is the Australian Marketing Institute.  If you are not a member of an organisation or group, you may want to consider joining if it is relevant to your profession.
 

• Start reading!  Start buying the paper and trade magazines.  Read the business section or focus more on information relevant to your sector.  Get on the internet as well.
• Consider temping or contract positions to start with to give you a taste of returning to work.  This may give you time to assess what you want from a job.
• Visit the Equal Opportunity for Women Agency website.  You will find it at www.eowa.gov.au.  Visit the section that covers employers who have family friendly policies. 

Do a refresher course
Once you have researched the job market, you will know if you need to do a short course to get you up to speed.  Consider contacting the following groups to find out more on career advice and short courses:
• Professional or industry associations
• Visit a TAFE website. For example, look up basic refresher courses for computer skills.
   o NSW TAFE www.tafensw.edu.au
   o VIC TAFE www.tafe.vic.gov.au
   o QLD TAFE www.tafe.qld.gov.au
   o SA TAFE www.tafe.sa.gov.au
   o Canberra Institute of Technology www.cit.act.edu.au
• Private colleges, online education companies, universities
• If you are registered with Centrelink, you can be referred to a Job Network Agency that specialises in assisting women to return to the workplace www.centrelink.gov.au
• Access private providers through the Australian Association of Career Counsellors www.aacc.org.au

You will find information on all of these education and career advice channels via the internet, the paper, trade magazines, recruitment companies, and talking to people.

Next time, I will cover some ‘no fuss’ tips on resumes and interview tips to get you back in the game.