Returning to Work with your Self Confidence & Skills Intact

During parental leave, many parents often experience a lack of self confidence when it comes to their career and the prospect of returning to work. It is so common, and happens simply because you are removed from the workplace for a period of time.

Experience has shown that women who have returned to work are pleasantly surprised at how quickly they fit back in, and how much knowledge they have actually retained and gained.

In order to make the transition back to work as smooth as possible, it’s important to maintain your skills while you’re on leave. If you are intending to take extended leave from the workforce (2+ years), it is even more imperative to have a game plan of how you will maintain your skills.

Be proactive. Seek out opportunities that enable you to retain and build on your current skills. This checklist will provide you with some ideas.

Skills Checklist

While you’re on leave, remember to:

• Keep your computer skills up-to-date. If you can’t access your workplace emails and systems, continue using any form of technology you have access to – email, the internet, various applications on your computer (for example, managing the family budget using Microsoft Excel will keep your Excel skills current), and downloading your photos from your digital camera. Familiarity with technology will help maintain your confidence.
• Keep your name on an email distribution list at work so you are copied in on the progress and updates of different projects.
• If you don’t have a computer at home, and won’t have access to your work laptop, consider purchasing or leasing a computer. Alternatively seek out a computer that you can access regularly.
• Consider attending team meetings at work from time to time, if appropriate. Even dialling in from home to a meeting can help keep you in the loop.
• If you’re planning to return to work in a different role, investigate what skills you will need and if necessary enrol in a part-time course while on leave.
• Subscribe to online newsletters that will keep you up to date with industry news and developments.
• Read relevant articles, newspapers, magazines and surf the internet to keep your knowledge up-to-date.
• Maintain your network of professional contacts. Touch base with your contacts while on parental leave, either by email or telephone.
• Join relevant professional associations and attend networking groups.
• Enrol in an external course or ask your HR department about any online courses available to staff.
• Seek out volunteer opportunities while on leave (if you have time!). There may be opportunities that revolve around your children. Use these opportunities to keep your skills current. These types of activities will expand your social and business network, and keep you up-to-date on industry developments. Volunteer work is an ideal way to maintain work experience while on parental leave.
• Consider contract work while you’re on leave. Small projects may fit in with your schedule and will enable you to keep your skills fresh. Your current workplace may be happy to outsource ad-hoc projects to you - ask!

Q&A

Why do parents on parental leave from work have a better chance of being able to work from home?

Working from home is something most of us would love to do. Being able to work part time and structure work around your family is so appealing.

Current skills shortages combined with globalisation and technological advances are changing the mindsets of organisations about working flexibly. Flexible work options such as part time work, job sharing, flexi-hours, telecommuting and working from home are becoming more prevalent in organisations.

If you are currently on maternity leave, you have a better chance of being able to work from home for part of your working week. Why? Because your manager knows you and understands the type of worker you are. Many organisations have not worked out how to measure people’s performance outside of the office walls so trust and familiarity play a significant role.

If you are not currently employed, you need to be creative in your approach. Consider securing a part time role and demonstrate your abilities before requesting the opportunity to work from home. Or you could identify your key skills and market yourself as a consultant with a home office. Often, the best leads for employment come from close to you so communicate your intentions to your friends, family, work colleagues, and local businesses. Design a flyer and hand it out.

How do you describe the 'stay-at-home' mum section of your resume?

The biggest mistake you can make in your resume is to refer to the time you have spent at home as ‘stay-at-home mum’. It is a true statement, but let’s face it – it is probably the toughest and most hard working time in your life so far! Cleaning bottoms, experiencing toddler tantrums in a shopping centre, and being on-call for an infant 24 hours a day probably won’t cut it in a resume. Start thinking about the unpaid activities you have been doing and turn these into 'work speak'. For example, raising money for a charity involves communication, business development, and marketing skills. If you’ve been doing the bookkeeping for your family business, instantly you will find employers who are willing to pay for your services. Tuck shop work involves money-handling, customer service, and the ability to work in a team. Make sure you research job ads and see the skills that employers are looking for. If you need to improve your skills and improve your confidence, look at doing a short course.

How self confidence can get you that job

For many mums out there, self confidence can be the biggest problem holding you back from applying for a part time job. I often hear excuses like ‘I will wait until next year because we are going away soon and Christmas is around the corner etc .’

If you want to work, there is nothing stopping you. Certainly child care arrangements need to be made and your resume needs to be updated. You may also need to invest in a refresher course.  I have experienced low self confidence on returning to work 7 months after each of my children were born so I can imagine how much that compounds if you have been out for longer. But in the end, it won’t do you any good. There is a job out there with your name written on it and you’ll love it. You need to value the skills you have picked up from being a parent and think about how you can adapt these skills for the workplace. Another thing - look in the mirror and talk about yourself - it is good practice for interviews. Are you being nice? Make sure you talk positively about yourself at all times and stop apologizing – it is a trait we can all live without!

Are you thinking about changing your career?

Are you thinking about changing your career? Sometimes, having children can be a catalyst for a change in our careers.  You have time to think about what you want in life, and what your flexibility requirements are going to be while you are on maternity leave. Maternity leave might be a great opportunity to do some further study. While the workplace catches up to the concept of flexibility, you may also consider starting your own business so you can create your own flexibility and part time hours. You may have the opportunity to become a niche consultant in your own industry. Or you might have a lightning flash about a new business concept that is worth pursuing after doing some research. Another opportunity is training that can be offered with a job role. The national skill shortage is making it harder for employers to find the exact personality and matching skill set for the job, so employers are offering on-the-job training to meet the skill requirements for the job. Always think about how you can transfer your existing skills – this is the key to changing your career.