If you make a point of doing freelance projects from home or doing a bit of part-time work for your previous employer you will “stay in the game” as far as being a viable prospective employee goes. By keeping busy with career-orientated part-time work and activities, you will be furthering your career, while being involved with the growth and development of your child.
Keep up to date with current events in your line of work. Read magazines, journals and news reports about your industry. Enrol in part-time studying, or correspondence courses, and attend seminars. Stay in contact with your work friends and colleagues. If you belong to a professional organisation, be sure to go to meetings and keep networking. Remember to update your resume, so that it includes any freelance work and skills you have gained from courses and seminars.
Even with good preparation and foresight, you may have a bit of difficulty getting back into your career. Your pay grade may suffer too for a while – depending on your skill level and how long you have been away from work. If you go back to full-time work, with the same number of hours as before, your salary should normalise over time.
When being interviewed for a job, remember to mention any work and activities you did while parenting at home, that may have bearing on your job. Volunteer work at your child's preschool or new skills you have developed from part-time study should be listed on your resume. If you have been away from formal work for a long period of time, consider getting a career coach or seeing a consultant. This ensures that your resume is current and industry knowledge is up to date.
