Did you temporarily stop working when you decided to start a family? It’s very common for parents to make that decision, especially if they can be financially comfortable for a period of time while living on one salary. But now that your kids are getting a little older, you might be considering going back to work part-time to make a little more money.
If you’ve been applying for positions with little to no response, you’re not alone. Many parents struggle to find a company that allows part-time work, especially if they’re trying to find a career similar to their previously held full-time professions. Here are a few reasons why the search process seems more challenging this time around, and what you can do to increase your chances of getting that part-time job you want.
Challenges
Irrelevant Experience
If you haven’t worked for several years, you may feel like your previously accumulated experience and expertise is no longer relevant to the current scope of your industry. Certain positions may require that employees are certified in something, or have knowledge of programs that didn’t exist when you were working. Instead of skirting any positions that might seem unreachable, try to learn more about a qualification you currently don’t possess and see if you can teach yourself that new skill. As soon as you feel comfortable demonstrating that new ability, make sure you highlight it in your resume and apply for that now less intimidating job prospect.
Balancing Home and Work
Working part-time means having a little more flexibility in your day-to-day life. It definitely makes picking up your child up from daycare at 3pm, or being home already when your middle schooler gets off the bus more manageable. And, it beats having to hire a babysitter or ask a friend to watch your children while you work. What can be difficult, however, is landing a job with a company that understands and supports that need for flextime. Luckily, more business owners are realizing this challenge and adopting more family-friendly policies for their employees, according to this study from Sodexo Insights. For any position you’re interested in, make sure you’re comfortable with the company’s policy on flextime to ensure it’s a good fit for you and your family.
Not Finding the Right Fit
As much as you’re ready to dive back into work, sometimes finding the right fit is harder than it looks. Maybe you need a career that can accommodate your in-and-out schedule, but no company seems interested in taking on that type of employee. This issue is something many of our clients have faced, but we can tell you from their experiences that there is a solution.
Have you considered a career that allows you to work remotely? Several of our clients have entered the “gig economy,” meaning that they sign up for temporary positions for short-term engagements. This allows you to set up your own work schedule, and we’ve seen many succeed in the positions they worked for, including content writers, graphic designers, photographers, virtual assistants, customer service specialists, researchers, and accountants. Some of our clients have had so much success with this career path, and made such a comfortable income, that they took the next steps of starting up their own small businesses with the help of our career coaches!
The Solution
We know that making the transition from a stay-at-home parent to a part-time employee requires a big lifestyle change. But, it’s also an exciting new chapter in your life that our team at MJW Careers would like to see you take on with confidence. Whether you need help putting together your resume, refreshing your interview skills, or need to plan out a custom strategy with one of our career coaches, we’re here to support you. Contact us today and let’s set you up for professional success!
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