For job seekers who've been out of the paid workforce for awhile, Carolyn Harvey and Beth Herrild of Quest for Balance shared these tips:
Keeping yourself marketable. Have you done any volunteer work while you've been away from the paid workforce? Volunteering to write a grant is a skill you can put on the resume, whereas helping your child's teacher laminate art work is not, Carolyn says. Staying in touch with your contacts, taking classes and being aware of industry trends are also good strategies to help keep yourself marketable.
Deciding on your ideal position. Just because you held a certain job before having a child does not mean you have to return to the same job, Carolyn says. Could you re-invent a former job? Take a similar position but in a different industry? Build upon a passion or hobby? Having children changes you, and you might no longer want the same job.
Updating your resume. First decide on a format: functional, chronological or a combination of both. One or two pages is fine, but you don't have to list everything. That college experience can probably be cut. Include a short statement about what you are seeking. Focus on results rather than simply listing your previous job duties.
Conducting the search. Networking is still the best source for finding a new job, so call or e-mail everyone you know and tell them what you are looking for. Consider using a networking site such as www.Linkedin.com. Search regular job boards, or even search directly on the Web sites of companies where you would like to work.
Interviewing. Wear a great interview outfit. Prepare in advance for questions and draw upon your professional experience for examples. Send a thank-you note after the interview.
Negotiating the offer. Find the perfect job, make them fall in love with you, and then negotiate. If you don't need benefits, for example, maybe you could offer to forego them in exchange for a more flexible schedule. Or if you'd really like to work part-time or telecommute, tell your employer but offer to work full time first to establish credibility. Try to make it a win-win situation for everybody.
For more inspiration, take a look at this Seattle Times' article on "How one stay-at-home mom jumped back into the paid workforce."
