Does the back-to-school season have you considering re-entering the workforce? At Doherty Staffing Solutions, we understand how challenging this transition can be for parents and families. In this article, discover helpful tips and insights for making the return to work less stressful.
Creating a Schedule
One of the most critical steps in returning to work is creating a well-structured schedule. Doing this prior to starting a new job helps manage your time effectively and helps ensure that both work and family responsibilities are met. You can start by outlining your daily tasks and identifying the best times for you to work.
After your schedule is established, you can begin to sync your work hours with your children’s school timetable. This can help in planning drop-offs, pick-ups, and other school-related activities, ensuring a smoother transition back to the workforce.
Rekindling your Network
Reconnecting with your professional network can be incredibly beneficial as you re-enter the workforce. You may consider reaching out to former colleagues, mentors, and industry contacts to inform them of your return and explore potential opportunities.
Additionally, it is a good idea to consider attending industry events, webinars, or joining professional groups both in person and online to expand your network further. Networking can not only help you find job opportunities but also provide support and advice as you navigate your return.
Seeking out resources that specifically focus on balancing work responsibilities with family commitments can be especially helpful during the transition back to work. There are likely working parents support groups that you can find in your local area.
Building Industry Skills
Staying updated with industry trends and skills is essential when rejoining the workforce. Online or in-person courses, workshops, and certifications to refresh your knowledge and learn new skills relevant to your field are a great way to prepare for returning to the workforce. Here are a few platforms that offer a variety of free or affordable online courses:
- Coursera: Coursera partners with top universities and companies to offer flexible, affordable online courses, degrees, and professional certifications across a wide range of subjects.
- Skillshare: Skillshare provides creative professionals and hobbyists with thousands of classes on design, photography, illustration, and more, focusing on practical skills and project-based learning.
- Udacity: Udacity offers Nanodegree programs in high-demand tech fields like artificial intelligence, data science, and programming, with a focus on real-world projects and career advancement.
- Udemy: Udemy is a global marketplace for learning and teaching, offering over 200,000 courses in business, technology, personal development, and more, for all skill levels.
- edX: EdX collaborates with universities and organizations to deliver online courses, degrees, and certifications, with a focus on science, engineering, and professional education.
- Future Learn: Future Learn offers a variety of online courses from leading universities and institutions, focusing on professional and personal development through flexible, short-term study options.
- LinkedIn Learning: LinkedIn Learning provides on-demand video courses taught by industry experts, covering a range of business, technology, and creative skills aimed at boosting career growth.
In addition to brushing up on your professional skills, volunteering or taking on freelance projects to gain practical experience can demonstrate your commitment to staying current in your industry. Plus, this provides you with great examples and concrete experiences that you can potentially use on your resume and during interviews.
Seeking Flexible Options
Flexibility can be a game-changer for parents returning to work. Job opportunities that offer flexible hours, remote work options, or part-time positions can help you balance your professional responsibilities with family commitments. There are now job board websites specifically designed for flexible job arrangements. This article from Forbes shares 15 job boards you may want to explore.
Don’t hesitate to discuss flexible work arrangements with potential employers. Many companies recognize the value of work-life balance, especially for parents, and may be open to accommodating your needs.
Balancing Work with Family Responsibilities
Successfully balancing work and family responsibilities requires careful planning and communication. Establishing clear boundaries between work and home life can help to ensure that you can focus on both without feeling overwhelmed. Limiting non-essential activities, learning to only accept projects that fit within your work time, and communicating your needs are a few helpful tips to keep in mind.
It is also a good idea to involve your family in the process by discussing your new schedule and responsibilities. This can help set expectations and ensure that everyone is on the same page, making the transition smoother for the entire family.
Returning to Work on Your Terms
It’s important to remember that your return to work should align with your personal and professional goals. Take the time to assess what you want from your career and seek opportunities that match your aspirations and values. Returning to the workforce is a significant step, and doing so on your terms will ensure that you feel fulfilled and motivated in your new role.
If you’re looking for extra help in your job search, our employment experts at Doherty Staffing Solutions can help! Get connected today to get started.
