Thursday, April 23, 2009
What is the most important aspect of the interview process that can help you secure the job?
Confidence. And a lack of self confidence is one of the top 3 barriers parents face when returning to the workforce. Your confidence will return when you do some career planning. Assess your current skills, know what your are good at, know what you want to do, know how much you want to earn, and know your flexibility requirements. The interview is simply a discussion about how your skills and experience match the job being advertised, and assessing if you want to work for the employer. Do not mention your family situation – it is no-one’s business but yours.
How to re-create yourself professionally as a working parent
The idea of a career change after having children is a popular idea among return to work parents. It may be because your existing workplace is inflexible, you want to work from home, you are dissatisfied with a less senior part time role, or you no longer wish to do what you have been doing for the last 10 years.
A career change can mark the start of an exciting new chapter in your professional life, but to get to that point you need to plan and address the who, what, why and how. What have you been doing up until now? What skills have you picked up along the way? How can you transfer your skills and adapt to a new environment? Often the answers lie in your resume – assuming you have kept it up to date.
Have a chat to your current or previous employer about your intentions and ask them for their opinion. You should also consider doing a short course on the industry you would like to move into. This will give you an insight into the typical processes, procedures, and lingo that you need to become familiar with.
As long as you have the core skill base required to make a career change, you can do anything. Becoming a parent is the ultimate life change, so a career change will be achievable.
A career change can mark the start of an exciting new chapter in your professional life, but to get to that point you need to plan and address the who, what, why and how. What have you been doing up until now? What skills have you picked up along the way? How can you transfer your skills and adapt to a new environment? Often the answers lie in your resume – assuming you have kept it up to date.
Have a chat to your current or previous employer about your intentions and ask them for their opinion. You should also consider doing a short course on the industry you would like to move into. This will give you an insight into the typical processes, procedures, and lingo that you need to become familiar with.
As long as you have the core skill base required to make a career change, you can do anything. Becoming a parent is the ultimate life change, so a career change will be achievable.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
CareerMums Top 7 tips for returning to work
1. Lack of self confidence is one of the biggest barriers to returning to work. Fix this, and you will get a job.
2. Don’t be ‘grateful’ for flexible working arrangements – you get paid for the hours you work; no more, no less.
3. Always ask for flexibility – it is becoming a more mainstream work arrangement and will continue to be with the national skills shortage.
4. Take responsibility for staying at home for an extended period of time if you wish to return to work at some stage in the future. Maintain your contacts, update your computer skills, study, and read industry magazines on a regular basis.
5. Turn your non-paid work experience into ‘work speak’. Take tuck-shop duty – customer service, handling money and working in a team.
6. When returning to the workforce, know these things: What you are good at, what role you are looking for, your flexibility requirements and how much you are worth.
7. In a job interview, don’t mention your family or care arrangements. You are there to demonstrate your suitability to the role and to gauge if they are a worthwhile employer for you to work for.
2. Don’t be ‘grateful’ for flexible working arrangements – you get paid for the hours you work; no more, no less.
3. Always ask for flexibility – it is becoming a more mainstream work arrangement and will continue to be with the national skills shortage.
4. Take responsibility for staying at home for an extended period of time if you wish to return to work at some stage in the future. Maintain your contacts, update your computer skills, study, and read industry magazines on a regular basis.
5. Turn your non-paid work experience into ‘work speak’. Take tuck-shop duty – customer service, handling money and working in a team.
6. When returning to the workforce, know these things: What you are good at, what role you are looking for, your flexibility requirements and how much you are worth.
7. In a job interview, don’t mention your family or care arrangements. You are there to demonstrate your suitability to the role and to gauge if they are a worthwhile employer for you to work for.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Redundancy program
The Federal Government has announced a new $300 million program to assist employees made redundant as a result of the global economic downturn. Under the new program, all newly redundant workers will now receive immediate support with career advice, skills assessment, training, IT support and more.
Visit the following web page for more information: http://www.deewr.gov.au/Employment/JobsandTraining/Pages/Earlyaccesstoemploymentservices.aspx
Visit the following web page for more information: http://www.deewr.gov.au/Employment/JobsandTraining/Pages/Earlyaccesstoemploymentservices.aspx
Career Change
Are you considering a career change? www.myfuture.gov.au is Australia's national career information and exploration service. It can help you make career decisions, plan your career pathways and manage work transitions. You can identify and explore career options, and find information on occupations, industries, courses, training providers, scholarships and more.
Friday, March 6, 2009
A CareerMums mum shares her return to work story
Danielle is a Senior Account Manager who found a flexible role on CareerMums. Danielle shares her insights, challenges and tips on returning to work. Visit the following web page:
http://www.careermums.com.au/uploads/Danielle%20Back%20to%20Work%20Story%200309.pdf
http://www.careermums.com.au/uploads/Danielle%20Back%20to%20Work%20Story%200309.pdf
Fresh Ideas for Work & Family Grants Program
What is it?
The Australian Government has introduced the Fresh Ideas for Work and Family grants program to help small businesses put in place flexible working arrangements.
How much?
The program provides grants for $5,000 to $15,000 (GST inclusive) to successful small businesses to put in place framily friendly arrangements that suit the individual needs of your business.
How can you help?
If you work for a small business and the owners are looking for HR solutions when it comes to working flexibly and retention of working parents, give them information on our Family Friendly Packages.
Visit the following URL for information to print out:
http://www.careermums.com.au/uploads/Fresh%20ideas%20for%20work%20and%20family%20options%20March%202009.pdf
The Australian Government has introduced the Fresh Ideas for Work and Family grants program to help small businesses put in place flexible working arrangements.
How much?
The program provides grants for $5,000 to $15,000 (GST inclusive) to successful small businesses to put in place framily friendly arrangements that suit the individual needs of your business.
How can you help?
If you work for a small business and the owners are looking for HR solutions when it comes to working flexibly and retention of working parents, give them information on our Family Friendly Packages.
Visit the following URL for information to print out:
http://www.careermums.com.au/uploads/Fresh%20ideas%20for%20work%20and%20family%20options%20March%202009.pdf
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