Suzie Skipper disintangles the mixed emotions many women feel about re-entering the workplace after years of looking after children, and offers avenues of exploration on the path to a new or renewed career.

It’s September. The kids are going back to school and your youngest is about to embark on a new life in education. A lot of mothers will be delighted at the prospect of some ‘free’ time after years of hard slog. But for many it marks a time of questioning their role in life and, perhaps for some, the daunting task of reigniting their careers after time off to raise a family.

Many women feel that they are ‘unemployable’ after so many years at home. Not so, says Margaret Cheng, Director of the career coaching team at Women Like Us – a community-based social enterprise that gives women the confidence, support and contacts they need to return to work. Employers who recruit through them say that the women they employ are “more skilled, more enthusiastic and more reliable,” enthuses Cheng. She says women should approach going back to work after a career break as a journey. And, like any journey, it is worth planning. Ask yourself what you really want. Is it just an opportunity to get out of the house? An intellectual challenge? Something to build your confidence or is it simply for financial gain?

Lack of confidence is a big issue for many women thinking of going back to work. Sometimes finding a good coach can make the world of difference. Diana Wolfin, author and head of Changing Direction – an organization dedicated to helping people approach the workplace after a career break – says that feeling a loss of confidence after years out of the workplace is entirely normal. “Interestingly, all women – either with or without qualifications – lack confidence after a break,” she says. But the key is to remember that you have been doing ‘something’ and that ‘something’ can give you transferable skills.

Denise Tyler, author and Editor of mother@work, a webzine and job board for working mothers, agrees. There are many skills such as time management, budgeting and negotiating that can be transferred into the workplace. She suggests making a list of the skills you use at home and then see how you could use them in a work situation. “Knowing what your skills are and then translating them into a CV that sells you well is really important,” says Wolfin, as well as a good covering letter that adds a bit more flesh to your situation. “Women tend to undersell themselves – so don’t!”

Do your homework. Keep up-to-date on the industry you would like work in and hone your IT skills. “The European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) is worth getting,” says Wolfin, as it provides universally accepted proof of your competence with computers. Check out the internet or your local adult college for courses.

Volunteering for a limited period could also help build confidence and skills too. Kristina Abdat met Selina Smith through a playgroup committee and together they set up online flexible jobs board, Jobs4Mothers. Many of the women they met said they wanted to go back to work as a class room assistant because it would fit in with school hours. “There are other jobs out there!” says Abdat and employers are increasingly keen to offer flexible work. If you have been at home for a number of years just bear in mind that your dream job may not be the first one you find. “Think of it as a stepping stone … it’s easier then to apply for something else.”

Once you know what kind of job you want, then try and look at creative ways of finding one. Women have great networking skills – so use them. But be realistic about the type of job you are looking for. Some careers just aren’t geared up for flexible or term-time working. “Use your contacts,” suggests Chris Parke co-owner of Talking Talent, a maternity coaching and consulting firm. Getting back in contact with your ex-colleagues can help you re-engage with the identity you used to have before having kids. “Some organisations do refresher courses.”

Nina Daranijo set up internet jobs board JustPartTime soon after having her first child as she found there were very few websites dedicated to this area. With the spotlight firmly on flexible working, the part-time jobs market is very much in growth mode. Daranijo predicts it will expand by 60–70% in the next two-to-three years.

“We are just at the beginning of a revolution in the flexible jobs market,” says Gilliam Nissim who created WorkingMums, a job site for women, in April 2006. More and more employers are willing to embrace flexible working as they can see the benefits of tapping into this pool of largely female talent. “We’ve seen a change in the types of jobs offered. Initially there were lots of small companies but now the big corporates are interested. Some of the large investment banks are running specific reintegration programmes for women.”

According to Azita Qadri, Director of new recruitment agency Eat Your Cake, a job share (where two people share the week’s work) is a great way to re-enter the workplace because you have a partner to help and support you. “It is so much easier than going in cold especially if you feel a bit out of touch with the industry.”

A lot of women use a break such as having kids to rethink their career. “Many women who go off on maternity leave actually start up their own companies in order to work more flexibly,” says Tyler. So don’t be afraid to write that business plan.

Get your childcare in place. “Think laterally about it,” says Cheng, as there aren’t many jobs that you can do between 10am and 2pm. Perhaps you could trade childcare with a friend and make provision for the school holidays. Make sure you have your family on side by having discussions at home so the kids get a sense of your excitement and are proud of Mummy doing something different. Make a habit of talking about your day and don’t fall into the trap of feeling guilty.

So if you are raring to get back into the job market make sure you have a clear idea of what you want to do. Don’t undersell yourself and don’t underestimate the skills you have learnt as a Mum.

Useful websites

Coaching, advice and recruitment - www.womenlikeus.org.uk
Webzine and job board - www.motheratwork.co.uk
Career break counsellor - www.changingdirection.com
Maternity coach and consultancy - www.talking-talent.com
Part time job board - www.justparttime.co.uk
Jobsite for professional women - www.WorkingMums.co.uk
Online jobs board for flexible work - www.jobs4mothers.com
Job share recruiter - www.eatyourcake.co.uk
Flexible recruiter - www.capabilityjane.com
Volunteering opportunities - www.do-it.org.uk
Distance learning courses - www.learndirect.co.uk