Getting back on track with your career can be difficult now that you are a parent, as your new responsibilities can make it harder to juggle both family life and work. However, many moms have extremely successful careers in their field long after they have given birth to their child. To help yourself get back on the career ladder and to thrive for years to come at work and home, read on.
Take an Online Qualification
Many moms do not simply want to return to work after maternity leave, but they want to return to work in the position of their dreams. Then, you need to make sure that you can use your maternity leave wisely and make the most of the time that you will have available, as it is unlikely that you will have this amount of spare time again unless you have another child. One of the best uses of your maternity leave is to take an online degree. For instance, those offered by Marymount University will ensure that you still have an edge on the competition once you are back in your workplace.
Reconnect With Your Network
When you take a break from work to have your child, you may lose contact with some of the most important connections that you have within your network. People move jobs and industries all the time, and this may mean that you do not know as many people in your field when you return, or that you have been all but forgotten. Then, before you head back to work, you should take pains to reconnect with your network. You can do this by sending an email or giving them a call. However, to prevent losing touch, you should try to check in with your network and your workplace at intervals throughout your maternity leave.
Stay Present on Social Media
There is nothing more disheartening than losing the followers and attention that you once boasted on your business social media profile. Many career-minded people are extremely present on social media as a way of creating their personal brand and connecting with others working within their industry. However, if you stop posting and being active, you may find that all the hard work that you have done unravels. Then, you should try to maintain a steady presence on social media throughout your pregnancy and your first days as a mom, even if this is talking about your personal life or simply sharing important industry news and articles.
Consider a Career Change
However, you do not have to return to the position that you once held or even the same company. It is not a regression in your career to look for alternative career options that may satisfy you, especially if you were not happy in the job role that you previously had. Then, you should research some of the best positions for stay-at-home or working moms, with these including healthcare positions, teaching, and childcare options. You should then look at the qualifications and experience that you will need and the types of employers that are looking for roles of this nature. Once you have done this, you can start to develop a sound career plan that will propel you into a successful future at work.
Discuss Opportunities With Your Manager
If you are planning to stay within the same company, you should arrange a meeting with your manager on your return. During this meeting, you should discuss the basics, such as the possibility of flexible working hours and a gradual return to work. Not only this, but this is a prime opportunity to discuss the terms of your return. For instance, you should discuss the availability of a promotion or a role in a department that you would prefer, as well as any pay increases that you feel you are deserving of. This can help you to boost your career on your return by allowing you to start back a couple of rungs up the ladder from where you were when you left the company.
Read Up on Industry News and Developments
Industries are quick to change and develop, especially with the onset of technology, and a matter of months can make all the difference. You may be returning to a workplace that is unrecognizable, from the way that the business is run to the types of equipment that you use day to day. Then, it is important that you can keep an eye on industry developments and news throughout your maternity leave and beyond. This will give you an idea of what to expect and will ensure that you are as up-to-date as your colleagues when you return. You can do this by subscribing to magazines and industry journals. However, if you are still struggling to keep up, you should discuss a return to work course or refresher training with your boss to make sure that you are comfortable with your duties.
Hone Your Skills
Although you might see maternity leave as a barrier to your career, you should try to change your perspective to see it as a chance to improve upon your strengths and weaknesses. This will then help your career to blossom as soon as you return to work. To hone your skills during maternity leave or as a mom, you should consider joining societies and clubs where you can take on leadership positions, and you should consider using websites such as YouTube to find online instructional videos and courses that can help you to learn new skills. However, you should not forget about your soft skills, and being a mom will present you with a wealth of opportunities to grow skills such as listening, communication, and compassion. This will help you return to the workplace with all the skills that your employer is looking for in an ideal team member.
Shorten Your Leave
Being a mom is all about compromise, and so is your maternity leave. Although you should make sure that you take ample time off to rest, recuperate and bond with your young child, if you believe that you are ready to go back into the workplace, you should consider shortening the duration of this leave. The longer you take off from work, the more you will struggle to get back into the flow of your career, particularly in terms of your connections and your skills. This can impact the timescale of your career plan and your ability to reach your goals. Then, you should consider discussing with your employer about returning to work early and find suitable childcare and support, even if you only decide to return on a part-time basis.
Speak to Other Career Moms
However, the difference between a successful return to work and a challenging one might be as simple as getting suitable inspiration for your career. Then, to motivate yourself, you should consider speaking to other career moms that have been in the same position as you or reading working mom blogs online. This will help you to glean advice about balancing your working and family life that has previously worked for others, and gain the emotional support that you need to make your return to work successful. To connect with other moms, you should consider going to local mom and baby groups in your area, or joining forums and networks online that can allow you to speak to other women all over the globe.
Volunteer
Although you might not be able to work in the interim between now and when your baby is born, you will be able to volunteer. Volunteering is one of the best experiences that you can put on your resume as it shows your dedication to working and will allow you to be able to get references. It will also ensure that you do not fall out of your working routine while you are focusing on becoming a new mom. Not only this, but if you volunteer within your industry, you will also be able to grow your skills ready for your return. Among the many volunteer opportunities that are available to moms, there is a large assortment of that can be performed from home, ensuring that you can get back into your career whatever age your child is.
Review Your Resume
As a new mom, your resume will be drastically different than it was before you became pregnant. One of the major issues for moms is the employment gap that maternity leave puts on their resume. However, you can overcome this barrier by sprucing up your resume before you return to work. For instance, you should fill it with new skills and qualifications that you have gained during the gap.
You should also edit your cover letter to make sure that it takes your motherhood and your new perspective into account. However, if you only change one thing on your resume, you should make sure that you explain why there is a gap in your employment record and how you have made the most of this space between employers.