Being a working parent is no walk in the park! Between taking care of your family and giving yourself to a job for hours a day, it can be easy to feel like you have nothing left at the end of the workweek. But is your job taking more out of you than it should? It may be time to think about the next chapter in your career!
But switching careers can be tough, especially when you barely have free time to update your résumé. So, before you hit the latest job listings, here’s what you need to know when plotting your next career move to help you spend your working-parent time wisely.
During a Job Seeker's Market
As a working parent, you likely don't have time to go through a months-long interview process filled with hours of interviews and phone calls. Additionally, sending your résumé out to dozens of jobs may not be in the cards if you don't exactly have the free time to do so. A solution? Hold out on your job search until it's a job seeker's market.
In a 2021 market assessment, Daniel Zhao, Glassdoor Senior Economist and Data Scientist, explains a job seeker’s market and the benefits of looking for a job in one. The more employer demand there is, the easier it can be for working parents to find a job quickly and leverage things like a better salary rate, better benefits, and guaranteed remote workdays.
If you are considering returning to work after a hiatus, pursuing a promotion, or targeting a new job at a different company, a job seeker's market will be hungry for your skills, talents, and experience. This is a good time for professional reinvention, whatever that looks like for you.
When a Remote Position Opens Up
Many professionals are becoming increasingly attracted to remote and hybrid options since these roles can make it easier to juggle the demands of work and family. Remote roles are done entirely from a remote destination — typically the home — while hybrid roles can have you spending a few days in the office and a few days remote.
When searching for a new remote job or hybrid job role, think about what role you want and what seems suitable to your skills. Then research how professionals are engaging in that work. If you have access to childcare or your kids are in school, a hybrid work model can help get you back in an office setting while still being able to work remotely when necessary.
Once You've Refreshed Your Résumé
Your time as a working parent is very valuable. So, before throwing yourself at open job opportunities, it's important to take some time to rebuild and refresh your resume.
Maybe you haven't touched your résumé in years or perhaps some of the information is just a little out of date. Either way, it's important to make sure your résumé is up to date and you have a good template for a cover letter in case an employer requires one. Once your résumé is up to date, focus on growing your network.
After You've Expanded Your Network
As a busy working parent, you may be a little out of touch with others outside of your current company or organization. Before diving headfirst into the job market, start expanding your network.
Spend some time connecting with your friends, colleagues, and former colleagues to help grow your network. It can feel a bit daunting to reach out to people you haven’t been in touch with recently but don’t let it worry you. This may help you find the perfect role you weren't even looking for or discover a company you wouldn't have thought to apply to. Once you're ready to make a connection or apply for a job, you'll have your résumé ready to go!
There's Never a Wrong Time to Look for New Jobs
It's important to feel comfortable with the plan to move forward in your career, but you also can’t wait around forever. Luckily, the workplace is always changing and providing more remote and hybrid options for employees, which means it's always a good time for working parents to be looking for a new job!
While it can feel daunting to transition back into the workforce or pursue a new job, it's important to remember you're not alone! Glassdoor can help you streamline your job search, find a job with better pay, switch to a more flexible remote or hybrid role, prepare for interviews, and more.
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