Stay At Home Mom Returning To Work: How Moms Can Take The First Step

This guest post is by Nancy Anderson, the author of Job Search for Moms.

A resume is NOT the beginning for moms starting a job search, says Nancy Anderson

When deciding whether to jump back into the workforce, many women think all they need is an updated resume.

Job Search For Moms by Nancy Anderson

Unfortunately, they get to the first heading, and stop typing. They only know what they “used” to do, and they don’t know how to articulate everything that has happened since then.

I see this frustration in many of my job search training sessions. In response, I ask these women: “What do you really want to do and how can you go about articulating it?”

The first big step in any job search or career change is to put away the resume. That’s the last thing to work on.

You first need to plan and dream, and take time to think about you and all that you do.

All about you
Before you apply for a job or touch your resume, take some time to reflect and jot down your answers to these questions. Try to do this exercise by yourself. After, ask your friends (ask other moms, too) and family if they have anything to add.

What did I like about my last job(s)?
What activities did I enjoy?
What type of work energizes me?
What don’t I like to do?
If I could do anything, what would it be?
What are my interests?
What are my values?
What type of personality do I have?
What am I really good at?
What am I really bad at?
What skills do I have?
What skills have I developed over the years that I have been at home? (Consider volunteer activities, work with the school, child and elder care, etc)

Nancy’s book, Job Search for Moms, takes women through the steps needed to identify their strengths, network properly and effectively design their job search or career change strategy.

Nancy Range Anderson is the President of Blackbird Learning Associates, LLC a company that specializes in job search training. She has over 25 years experience in Human Resources and Learning & Development. Nancy teaches resume preparation, interviewing, networking, and career change tactics to individuals and groups. Follow her on Twitter at Nancy_1.

Filed Under: Featured • For Stay At Home Moms • Managing Your Career • Moms Returning to Work • Working Moms Resources