There is no denying that returning to work after having a baby can be a difficult transition. No matter whether it has been a few weeks, a couple of months, or maybe longer, the road ahead can feel bumpy and overwhelming.
For most new moms, the reality is that they will be returning to work after their maternity leave has ended. Maybe you are going back to your previous job, but a lot of moms have and want to go job hunting. To help you adjust, here are five back-to-work strategies for moms.
- Never stop networking
Whether you have already left the workforce or are just planning to in order to have your baby, make sure that you never cease to network — this is vital. You want to keep your professional connections fresh throughout your maternity leave, as these are the people who are most likely to help you find your next job.
In order to keep them active, schedule coffee or lunch meetings and reach out to people in your industry, so that they keep you in mind if they ever hear of a potential job opportunity. Additionally, consider reaching out to the top recruitment agency in Dubai if you are in the same region.
- Focus on your personal brand
In today’s world, everyone is in charge of curating their own personal brand. While you are at home, utilize Social Media websites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to create your personal social media brand and engage with others in your industry.
Through these networks, you can communicate with potential employers, learn about new opportunities, promote your skill sets, find the latest job vacancies in UAE (or wherever you are seeking job opportunities), and research what skills firms are interested in hiring.
Ensure that your profile pictures are professional-looking and that your profiles are clean and work appropriate, as they will form your online first impression.
- Stay active with community projects
One of the hardest parts of returning to the workforce is explaining your time off. By staying active and working on Community Projects or getting involved with volunteer opportunities, you can ensure that you are still boosting your resume.
In addition to being fun opportunities to give back to your community, these undertakings can also aid you in building skills without requiring you to commit to a full-time job.
- Prepare yourself with online courses
Luckily, in 2018, there is almost nothing you can’t learn about online. There are many online sites that offer free (or paid) online courses in various fields, as well as essential workplace tools.
These sites can be a fantastic resource for moms who are looking for a career change or just want to boost their skillsets. Lynda is a popular site for these types of courses.
- Ease back into work
Once you have found a job, consider speaking with your employer about working half days your first week back or, alternatively, start your first day in the middle of the week, so it’s a short week. Remember that it might take a little while to get your head back in the game.
Before starting your job, schedule a meeting with your boss to discuss your first few weeks on the job. During this time, talk to him or her about the accommodations for pumping breast milk at work.
When you do start working again, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Everyone in your position needs time to adjust during the first few weeks back. It is normal to feel sleep deprived and foggy headed, so don’t expect to immediately be operating at the same level, and in the same way as if you never left.
Additionally, you don’t need to become super mom suddenly. Remember to take care of yourself by eating healthy and getting plenty of sleep. In addition to yourself, both your baby and your career will suffer if you don’t!
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