Tips on Finding a Job After Taking a Parenting Break   

So you’ve taken some time out of the workforce to take on the most important job in the world: parenting your kids. Whether you’ve been out of the game for a few months or a full decade, finding a job after a break can be tough. You know that you’ve actually been hard at work in a 24/7 position that doesn’t exactly offer any sick days. You know that being a good parent has stretched you to your limit, and you’ve emerged with stronger executive skills than most people you’ve ever worked for in the past.

The trouble is, many employers still think you were on an extended a break, as if you ran out for coffee and enjoyed the last months or years of your life sipping it while your child cooed blissfully in the corner. You know it’s not true, but now you have to prove it. If you’re really ready to dive back into the (paid) workforce, here’s how to get started.

Finding a Job 

Life moves at the speed of the Internet, and if you haven’t been keeping up online while working as a stay-at-home parent, it’s time to dust off your resume and start your job search. If it’s been a while, it’s going to take time to get your business persona back up to snuff, so treat this as a job in itself for best results.

• Update Your Resumé. To avoid having your “gap” exposed — employers are notoriously biased when it comes to hiring people who have been out the workforce for a time — rewrite your resume to organize it by highlighting your skills instead of your employment history. A functional resume will get you in the door, and you can always explain your parenting stint when you land an interview.
• Leverage Social Media. Treat your social media profiles as seriously as you would your resume. Go all-in on your LinkedIn profile, and upgrade your privacy settings on personal Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts to keep out snoops. You might also want to scrub anything that could make you look a little bit irresponsible (delete those bachelorette party photos, for example), and vow to maintain a professional online presence from here on out.
• Network. Once your social media profiles are ready to go, use them to reach out to your contacts and find new ones. Let everyone know you’re on the hunt for work — many job opportunities come through the grapevine, but you have to put yourself out there.
• Search Like It’s Your Job. In addition to job postings on big websites like Indeed and Monster, scope out smaller job boards dedicated to your field, as these often have more links to your particular specialty. Apply to everything appealing — having your resume and an easily tweakable cover letter ready to go will make this faster than you think.

Prepping for an Interview 

When you eventually get the call for an interview, you need to be prepared. First, you’ll need to be ready to explain that dreaded employment gap in person. To do this, never apologize for your choice to raise your kids. Instead, spin the skills you gained into positives for the potential employer. It’s especially useful to highlight volunteer work you may have done: PTO fundraising efforts, leading a babysitting co-op, or starting any sort of home business while you stayed at home to parent are all valuable business skills.

Dealing With Rejection 

You may or may not be offered a position with the first company you interview for. So what? Well, rejection is hard. It’s okay to feel upset, but try not to let the job that got away rattle your overall confidence. Treat each interview as a learning experience. When the initial sting of disappointment wears off, replay the interview in your mind, and see if there are any places where you can improve. The number one thing to take away from each interview is the type of questions being asked. Think of it like getting the test questions ahead of time — now you have a study guide to help you prepare for the next interview!

Even when you do your best to put a positive spin on your job search, looking for work and preparing for a major change in your life can be incredibly stressful. It’s important to take care of yourself during this time: get outside for some fresh air and exercise, connect with family, or sneak some alone time in the evenings. Maintaining healthy habits in response to stress is a crucial coping skill, both during your job search and once you’re back at work.

Maintaining Work/Life Balance 

Once you land a job, think ahead to what your days will look like as you balance work and family. Will your new position allow you the flexibility you need to take care of an unexpectedly sick child? Have you worked out a new division of labor at home with your spouse or partner? Do you have childcare lined up?

As much as possible, plan ahead for your new, employed-person schedule, and consider various emergencies that could pop up. The more contingency plans you have in place, the less likely you are to feel stressed when something unexpected does inevitably come up.

Finally, make sure to set aside some sacred family time each week. This could be as simple as an uninterrupted dinner each night, or special Saturday adventures. No matter how you schedule it, make sure to focus on and enjoy your family without worrying about work — after all, you may have started a new job, but you’ll never give up your old one of being a parent to your children.