Being a working mom is not easy. Whether you are a full-time or a part-time working mom, balancing a professional life and family life can be tough.
Oftentimes, as moms we have to adjust our professional jobs to prioritize our children and homes, whether that be working from home, becoming a stay-at-home mom, or working full time at a job that provides the flexibility and pay we need. However, there are also times when we have to be prepared to explore more opportunities in the professional field.
My Recent Journey into a New Job
Recently, I began working towards a goal that I had to explore new professional opportunities. It required me to take the risk of finding a new professional challenge within my area of passion in higher education. It was hard to take that leap of change. After so many years working at my beloved alma mater, UTEP, it felt like leaving home. I took the risk and began going on the job market in search of a new opportunity. However, the process was not easy and the fear of change did get to me at some points.
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Feeling out of date with skills, certifications, and even your wardrobe can bring confusion and a lack of confidence when entering the workforce or changing your job.
It took a lot of self-talk and support from my family to realize the many accomplishments I have had during my professional journey and to realize that it was part of my growth as a woman to take the opportunity for a new chapter in my professional life.
Let’s Get Ready for the Workforce
Preparing yourself to be a mom in the workforce or to be back into the job market can be hard. Here are some tips so you can be prepared in all areas to get that job that you want.
Dust off your resume.
Go through your files and check the most recent resume you have. Be proud to highlight a lot of skills that you gain as a mom! Are you good with Canva because you help out at your kids’ school? Add Canva to your list of software you know how to use. Do you have experience selling goods or babysitting? Add some of those to your skills. Nowadays, there are a lot of sites that give you tips on how to write an efficient resume.
Sign up for job search sites.
Use our friend Google and look for job search sites. There are many sites such as indeed.com, glassdoor.com, and others. Those sites can send you weekly summaries or alerts on jobs that are within your search history.
Create a profile, upload your resume, and upload a letter of interest. Make sure to add some references (do ask your references for their approval first!), and have your profile with up-to-date information so companies can find you more easily at the time they are posting new positions.
Use the professional side of social media.
Create a LinkedIn profile especially if you are already a working professional. Try to dedicate a couple of minutes a day to expand your professional network with the LinkedIn profile. They also often promote free certifications that can be highlighted in your profile and added to your resume. They also have job ads and other services to increase your connections.
Do a clean-up and organization of your social media profiles. If you are someone who likes to have your profile public, try to do a clean-up. A lot of potential employers will do a search on your name to see if you would be a good fit for the company. You may want to consider deleting or hiding the pictures that show a little too many margaritas.
Invest in yourself.
Working mom is in action! Create a small budget for yourself. Be aware that you will be applying for jobs and possibly attending a few interviews. You want to be prepared, and it doesn’t have to break the bank. Have a black pair of dress pants, a pair of dress shoes, and a blouse on the side as your go-to outfit for interviews. Here are some tips and ideas for hair and makeup looks for interviews.
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If you are limited on funds, check local churches or donation centers for days in which they have free closet days. You may be able to locate some clothing items that can help you be prepared for the workforce. If you are a student at the moment, some schools even have programs where they can lend you a suit or a dress for interviews.
Whether you are returning to the workforce or you are already working and you are seeking a new job, the process will be important. You are balancing your life as a professional and as a mom, so try to find what works for you, and seek your passion and your dreams. Maybe you want to take the path to becoming self-employed in something you like or maybe you simply want to work at a place you always found interesting.
Technology is our friend. Networking and communications will always exist. Don’t be afraid to check for local resources on job fairs, job openings, child care, and much more.
If you don’t explore what is out there for you, you may never realize the powerful professional woman you are.
The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of El Paso Mom, its executive team, other contributors to the site, its sponsors or partners, or any organizations the aforementioned might be affiliated with.
