Watch the video for this HERE.
So you had a layoff, had a baby, moved, took care of an ailing relative, or just took some time off… now what? Women who are entering the workforce after an extended leave of absence face unique challenges. 
The Center for Work-Life Policy and Harvard Business Review wrote, “While more than one third (37 percent) of highly qualified women take time out of the workforce, the majority (93 percent) want to return to work. However, this can be more difficult than they anticipate. Only 74 percent succeed in re-entering the workforce and only 40 percent make it back into full time employment”.
While those numbers seem daunting, the reality doesn’t have to be. The trick is to realize that you have more work to do than the average job seeker. You must start by looking at your situation from a potential employer’s point of view. Potential employers can’t help but question your scenario and how it impacts your future employment. Here are just a few of their concerns:
- Have you lost your edge?
- Are you just looking for a short term financial fix so that you can leave again?
- Will you be able to transition to a full-time focus or will you be distracted?
- Are your skills neglected or outdated?
- Will you be able to focus?
- Will you take a job, only to realize that you want to stay home?
Reflect on your situation to determine what questions arise. No matter what your legal rights are as a candidate, you will need to be prepared. So what can you do to ensure that you are ready?
- Craft an amazing resume. Spend the money to hire someone or spend the time on it yourself. You are competing with A LOT of candidates out there right now. You already have some (seemingly) strikes against you, so make sure you do your part to stand out from the crowd.
Use power words, specific accomplishments and awards
- Practice your pitch. Rehearse interviews with friends or family. Be sharp. Think about what questions may be asked of you and craft answers that reflect who you are and where you are going. Also make sure to research the company you are meeting with. Have questions about the organization and the role ready. Why do you want to work there? What do you need to know to make sure it is a fit for you?
- Be honest. While looking for my current role, I was pregnant in a big way. Legally, potential employers can’t ask me about my situation. However, it was a pretty obvious elephant in the room. I decided early on to make it easier for a potential employer by bringing it up myself. I realized that there would be obvious concerns about starting a new job and then leaving for maternity leave. I was straightforward about my situation and presented two options for employment if the fit was right for both of us. Yes, I did lose one opportunity as a direct result of that. However, I also found that those companies who embraced my honesty and discussed it openly revealed their true corporate culture. Today, I work for one of them because of that.
As part of your honesty plan, please make sure that you don’t present yourself as something you are not. Don’t use fluffy terms like CHO (Chief Home Officer) if you were a stay at home mom. Employers are not fooled. It really is ok to tell the truth. If you took a year off of working to stay home with your infant, say so. Just make sure to add that your child doesn’t need you in that capacity anymore and that you are ready to return to the workforce. I know these things shouldn’t matter in this day and age, but let’s face it. Jobs are scarce.
According to WomenWork.com, “On average, women lose 18 percent of their earning power when they take time off. This number rises to 37 percent if the absence exceeds three years.”One woman that I know was out of the working world for several years. She had to return when her husband’s job was eliminated and he took a lesser paying role. Instead of trying to cover up the financial need, she embraced it. In each interview, she was asked why she was looking to go back to work now. She told interviewers that she had to: not out of desperation but as an explanation. She also told them that she was ready for the change, and she was actually looking forward to restarting her career. She found that the reaction was extremely positive.
- Use your network. Start calling and emailing friends and past colleagues to connect. Don’t be shy. Have a plan before you call and know what you are looking to do and what you offer. People will be glad to help you if you tell them how. I have found that the most successful opportunities were a direct result of the way I asked. Instead of saying, “Let me know if you hear of anything available” say, “I noticed that your company has an opening online for a sales position. Could you set up a time for me to meet with the manager of that department?” or “Would you be able to walk my resume over to the hiring manager?”
Most importantly, don’t let negative thoughts bog you down. You have skills that are a value in the workforce. Give yourself credit for your past deeds, and be proactive in your search. Trust me, if I can do it at six months pregnant, you can too.
Resources:
Missouri- Women’s Employment Network http://www.kcwen.org/ (816) 822-8083
