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Tips for Reentering the Workforce After Being a Stay at Home Parent

Going back to work after staying home with your kids can seem very daunting. You may feel that you're out of touch with the business world and do not have contacts in the professional world any longer. Luckily this does not mean you are out of luck when it comes to jumping back into the workforce. With a few simple tips, you can make yourself a qualified candidate for the working world once again.

Market Your Skills

Believe it or not, you probably have skills that can be marketed for the working world. Did you do any volunteer work while you were staying at home with your kids? If so, that counts as experience. Think long and hard about the skills you needed, whether you were the treasurer of the PTO or you were helping homeless puppies. There are likely skills that you can translate into experience on your resume so it does not look like all was lost during the years you stayed home to care for your kids.

Think About What You Want

Chances are, what used to excite you when it comes to your profession might not seem as exciting any longer. Before you jump back into the workforce, consider what you really want. Are you still a workaholic that could withstand 12-hour work days or do you prefer a more laid back type job that might even allow you to work from home? Knowing exactly what you want out of your new job when you get back into the swing of things can help you search for the right job and interview with passion rather than the "I am being forced to do this" type attitude.

Get in Touch with Old Contacts

Depending on how long you have been away from your field, you might still have contacts out there that can help you. One of the best places to start is your old employer; he might have a position open that you would be a good fit for. Even if he does not have any available positions, he is a great starting point for you to network with to get the word out that you are looking for a job. He might also have some insight for you with other companies and positions available out there, so never discount the value of reconnecting with old contacts.

Take Classes to Get Up-to-Date

If you have been out of touch with technology for quite a few years, chances are there are programs that you must know that you might not have any clue of what they even are, let alone how they work. There are many ways to take classes whether you enroll at your local community college or you take classes for free at your local library. Do some research within your profession to see what the latest technology being used is and how you can learn about it. The more up-to-date your skills are when you start applying for jobs, the more likely it is that you will get an interview and possible position.

Getting back into the swing of things after staying home with your kids can be quite an undertaking, but if you go about it the right way, it can be done. The best way to make the transition easy is to never lose touch with the latest information within the industry and the contacts that you have within the industry. Unfortunately, that is not the case for everyone, so the next best thing to do is brush up on your skills and put your best foot forward, and have faith in yourself as you try to get back into the workforce.