Back To Work After Parental Leave?

So, you’ve had 9 maybe 12 months out of the working world, raising your family, adapting to a new way of life and all too quickly maternity, paternity or shared parental leave is over.  What now?

First things first – do you want to go back to your old job?  For many of us, not going back to work isn’t an option.  Childcare costs are sky high and relying on one salary isn’t a long term option.  So if you do have to return to work, make sure it is for a job you love – one that it is worth being away from your family for, and paying for childcare to do so. 

Being a parent can change you and if the above doesn’t sound like the job you are currently in, here are 5 simple steps you could consider to find a job that will help you get that all important work/life balance:

1. Give your CV a bit of love.  Make sure it is up to date, and reflective of what you are looking for, and your skills and experiences.  Don’t undersell yourself.  Consider taking professional CV writing advice to make yours stand out.
2. Get up to date.  Particularly if you work in an industry such as HR or legal, where policies and laws are constantly changing.  Ensure that your knowledge, training and qualifications are bang up to date.
3. Use LinkedIn.  Make sure your profile is up to date and looks awesome.  Leverage your connections, post engaging articles or comment on threads that you have an opinion on.  Get yourself noticed.
4. Be flexible.  Flexible working works both ways, so if you are looking for something part time, to work from home or a role that involves remote working you may have to be a little flexible on your requirements in order to come to an arrangement that suits everyone.
5. Find ‘You’.  It can be quite intimidating, the thought of returning to an environment that doesn’t consist of soft play and Mr Tumble, so be kind to yourself and spend some time bringing yourself back up to speed, finding your workplace confidence and remembering why you were (and still will be) so great at your job.

Approximately 80% of workers in the UK are parents – so don’t ever feel that you are alone, keep in mind that having children is a fact of life.  Some businesses will be more accommodating than others, so be mindful of the culture and attitude towards families when you are job searching. 

Whilst you are under no obligation to talk about your family situation at interview, if it is important to you to ask questions about how you can work together to make sure the role fits with your childcare arrangements – don’t be afraid to share. 

None of this sounding appealing?  Do you have a particular skill set or expertise in a specific industry?  Could you consider setting up a consultancy, or small business to work around you and your family?  Trust me, it isn’t as scary as you might think!  Talk to someone, your partner, friends, family - do some research to see whether it's a viable option and consider consulting with a professional careers coach to support you on your journey.