Over the weekend we celebrated mom for Mother's Day.
But sometimes mom doesn't feel special -- particularly when she tries to get back in the workforce after taking time off to raise children.
According to Phoenix employment website localwork.com, either jobs aren't available or the doors simply aren't opening for them when they come knocking.
When it comes to Arizona specifically, WalletHub ranks it as one of the worst states for working moms - in the number 46 spot. It beats out only Alaska, Louisiana, South Carolina, Alabama and Nevada. The study weighed child care, professional opportunities and work life balance.
Localwork compiled this list of six tips to help women return to the working world:
1. Start Small
If you have tried to find a full-time job, but no one is hiring, consider a part-time job or remote work. Starting with a smaller job will provide recent job experience, which most employers respond to and are willing to look at when they review your resume.
2. Community College
Before you start looking for work, take some community college classes to bolster your skills. You need to understand how all the new programs are working before you interview for a job. If you have the basic skills mastered, it saves an employer time in the training process. Employers will consider your recent skills during the interview and it can give you an advantage over the other applicants.
3. Positive Outlook
When you go into each job interview, have a positive outlook. You need to make a list of all your accomplishments and skills so you can focus on them during the interview. Although you may have taken a decade off work, you have still been working by raising your children. There are some valuable skills you have picked up along the way that you can discuss with your new employer.
4. Network
The classified ads simply do not have the same credibility when it comes to finding a good job. You need to look at new online networking opportunities to find a job. Create a profile on LinkedIn that you can send to employers, and to find companies that are hiring. About 65% of all the best jobs out there are obtained through networking, so you just need to spend time reaching out to family members, friends and other associates; perhaps try reaching out to old co-workers to see if they still work for the employer you once worked at together.
5. Update Your Resume
Take some time to update your resume with a list of your accomplishments. If your resume looks weak related to work experience, consider volunteering at a local school or with non-profit organizations. Some recent volunteer work shows you know how to listen well and work hard. List the skills you have recently obtained through volunteerism and discuss them during a job interview.
6. Patience
The most important thing to remember is to be patient. A great job will open up as you search and schedule as many interviews as you can. Have confidence in your skills and know you can be a valuable asset to an organization!
