6 tips to help you pave a path for returning to the workforce after the kids are back to school

Motherhood is full of paradoxes and the end of the summer break is one that a mother of a school-going kid encounters every year. Summer break is a time we all do look forward to, the fun vacations, and the easy schedules but along with it comes the time when we are left counting days until our restless brood is back in school and we are back to the routine.

The end of summer vacation can be a gamut of emotions ranging from glee to the stress of following a strict time regime or a combination of both. The transition of going back to school after a long break can be a challenge for both parents and the kids. It can also be the time for parents to get back to work. It can be that you have taken a break from work to spend time with your kids and the time can range from a few months to years, but you sure will need some help figuring out where to start.  Today we bring to you 5 tips for moms to help them navigate this transition to work after their kids are back at school.

       It all depends on where your interests lie. How long has your career break been? How have you upskilled yourself during this break? Looking at these         factors and skill sets with a keen eye will help you decide on your career path. It will not necessarily need to be your previous career path. With time             and added responsibilities we do end up taking a new route to success. If you find the need, you can enrol in a few courses that will help you find the           job the in field of your choice.

A flexible or freelance job will help you find your footing in a work routine without compromising on your time with family and kids. The reason you took a break might be the need to be there with your kids, consider a flexible or freelance role once your kids are back to school. You can be home for your kids when they come back from school. You can work on your schedule as per the activities planned for your kids. E.g. you can plan your meetings so that you don't miss the after-school soccer training for your kid. Finding a flexible and remote job is not difficult,the pandemic has led to a wide acceptance of flexible and remote work across industries.

 

Defining your needs and your expectations and what you have to offer in terms of time and skills will help you a long way in your job search. If it's a  flexible role that you are looking at you need to be very clear about the time you want to commit to that role and abide by it. Along with time commitment being clear on what you have to offer will also help potential employers get clarity and help them shortlist you for roles. You also need to be realistic with your expectations when it comes to the hours of work you put in and also the packages offered.

         

Once your kids are back at school, it would give you ample time to rework your resume, update it with your newly acquired skills and get it in line with your job expectations. Work on it by evaluating your skills, education, interests and experience. Along with it you can also address the break in your career and highlight the skills you have acquired during the break. You can also read articles and blogs that will help you update your resume.

          

          Networking plays a pivotal part in your job search. Rekindle your lost connections at your previous workplace and circulate your resume with people             you feel might help you find a role. Let your connections know that you are actively looking for work now that your kids are back to school. Getting                 your fresh resume out in the market and updating your social media will be of help in your pursuit of getting back into the workforce.There are                       companies that cater to helping you part-time and flexible work opportunities. E.g Flexibees, it has helped many women to find meaningful and                     remote  roles across  industries.

    

 

       Be realistic and reasonable 

        

It takes a while before you might even get the first call, be reasonable with your expectations once you start the search. Not all interviews and calls would go as expected, being realistic in your expectations will help you deal with these situations in a better way. Rather than getting into the search head make it into a gradual progression by setting weekly goals to get things done. Eg, give yourself at least two weeks to work on your resume, you can look at job listings for an hour daily.

With the summer break coming to an end might also be a good time for you to end your hiatus from work. With kids back in school you can focus your energies on your career growth and hope these tips will help you ease your journey back into the workforce. Wishing you luck as you get back into the school routine with your kids and finding the right job that helps your balance your work and life with finesse.

            

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Women interested in applying for part-time and work-from-home jobs via FlexiBees may download the FlexiBees Mobile App at http://onelink.to/r9a8fp and Sign up giving their full details.

 

FlexiBees has recently published a Book - Found Again: Real Stories of Women, Work and Flexibility that showcases 20 Real Stories of women who have created their flexible careers with a little help from FlexiBees. Buy the book here: https://www.flexibees.com/found-again-book.html