5 Ways Moms can Prepare to Return to Work after Raising the Kids

Posted on June 5, 2018June 10, 2018 by Katie Evans

Choosing to put your career on hold to raise your children is a tough choice. Mothers often sacrifice their careers for the sake of having a family, only to find the career world changed in the time they spent ensuring their children had what they needed for a strong start in life.

While being a mom actually may make you a better employee because parenthood strengthens pretty much every skill you can think of,you still need to prepare before you reenter the workforce. Here are a few actions you can take before its time to get back into work:

1. Brush Up Your Tech Skills

If you’ve been out of the workforce for any length of time, your tech skills are outdated. Technology changes every day, and business needs change with it. Luckily, you can learn almost any technology online for free or cheap.

You don’t know what you don’t know, so start by looking through job advertisements in your industry to see which software programs are advertised as job requirements. Don’t assume that just because you could use industry-specific software five years ago that it is exactly the same. It’s not. Google to find tutorials on the latest versions.

Next, connect with people in your industry on LinkedIN and ask questions about how their companies are using technology and what you should know before you reenter the workforce. Don’t be shy—you aren’t the first mom to go back to work, and if you look just a little, you’re sure to find a fellow mom in your industry that has done the same thing. Besides, you need to get back into the habit of networking anyway, and what better way than to start a conversation with someone in your industry about technology?

If your home computer is more than three years old, replace it. You’ll need to know how to use the latest operating systems no matter what your industry.

2. Start a Side Hustle to Fill Work Gaps on Your Resume

Right now, while you’re just starting to prepare to go back to work, is the perfect time to start a side hustle. A side hustle will give you something recent to put on your resume, and something to highlight in interviews. Besides, who couldn’t use a few extra dollars?

Being a mom makes you a shrewd negotiator and helps you achieve better customer service skills since you spend so much time thinking about the needs of others and mitigating toddler tantrums. You can start a side hustle easily by selling children’s toys and clothes on eBay, making crafts to sell on Etsy, or babysitting children for other moms. If you have a degree or a background in education, you should check out our 10 Summer Side Hustles for Teachers list.

3. Tidy Your Resume (and your LinkedIN)

Your resume is probably a bit dusty after not being used for several years. Modern resumes have more custom formatting than they did just a few years ago, so it’s a good idea to either find a career coach to help you highlight your best skills and target them to your dream job, or at least buy a few modern resume templates online.

Your LinkedIN profile is a powerful tool to help you find a job an prepare to return to work. Update your profile, make sure you’ve connected with as many people as you can, and when you’re ready to find a job, turn on the setting to let recruiters know you’re looking.

4. Gather References

You will need references when you go to apply for a new job. Since you’ve been out of the workplace awhile, you will need to remind your former supervisors and colleagues about how great an asset you were. You can do this by connecting with them on LinkedIN. Don’t be afraid to buy your former boss lunch—it may lead to a job offer or at least a reference.

Also think about connections you’ve made as a mom. If you followed our advice and started a side hustle, you have clients you can use as references, too. If you’ve been doing charity work or volunteering at your kid’s school, you may be able to use your supervisors and connections as references.

5. Practice Your Career Story

Your resume and cover letter will tell the abridged story of your career (if you write them properly), but what will you say in an interview when you’re asked, “Walk me through your resume?” or “Tell me about yourself?” You need a solid career story.

You should not be ashamed of taking time off work to raise a family. Instead, tell the recruiter that you had a “once in a lifetime opportunity to be a mother” and you seized that opportunity and now it’s made you a better employee. It’s your story; tell it in the most positive light possible.

Do any moms out there have any other advice to offer?

Save to Pinterest

5 Ways to Prevent Burnout

Posted on June 5, 2018June 10, 2018 by Katie Evans

Everyone has a bad workday every now and then—it’s normal. Part of being an adult is understanding that nothing is perfect all of the time. When every day becomes a bad workday, you may be facing burnout.

We live in a society where we’re bombarded with messages about “having it all.” From Martha Stewart ironing her sheets on television to beautiful Pinterest pins featuring young people at exotic locales, we’re surrounded by FOMO (fear of missing out), so we push ourselves at work to afford all of the things commercials and social media say we need to have a full life. Even the most forward-thinking Millennials want to have it all, and with that desire often comes burnout.

Here are a few things you can do to prevent burnout:

1. Learn to Say “No.”

The absolute most important thing you must do to prevent burnout is to learn the art of saying “no” in a way that still leaves people loving you. It’s not as hard as it sounds—you simply have to think from the other person’s perspective.

For example, say your boss asks you if you can get a major report done by the end of the day. You already have five client meetings lined up, and you have a ton of prep work to get done before those meetings. To do the report would mean working an extra 4-6 hours, which isn’t fair to you or anyone else. You’ll be exhausted tomorrow, and that means your work will suffer.

Instead of killing yourself to do the report, tell your boss the truth first. Say something like, “I would love to, but I have to meet with some of our biggest clients today and I’m afraid the meetings will take my entire day.” You’ve acknowledged that the report is a priority, but that you are already tackling other priorities. What you say next makes all the difference.

Now, you should tell your boss what you can do. Think of a suggestion for how your boss can still get what he needs. Try something like, “If I outline the report this morning before my meetings, do you think that maybe Sally can finish the report for you?” This gives your boss part of what he wants, and gives a suggestion of how to finish the project. You look great, and you prevent burnout from overworking, too.

2. Manage Your Stress

Managing stress is easier said than done for most of us. You have to find time for self-care and relaxation or you will inevitably burn out. While there are many ways you can manage stress, here is a list to get you started:

Take short breaks throughout the workday
Practice mindfulness
Take a real lunch break (not just a microwave desk meal while working)
Have an exercise routine
Meditate

Having an exercise routine is especially important if you sit in a chair typing all day. If you don’t pay attention to your body’s signals, you may find yourself having to hire a personal injury attorney to recover lost wages from on-the-job accidents often caused by burnout. It’s not a good scenario, so if you’ve been putting off signing up for a yoga class, now’s the time to commit.

3. Have a Life Outside of Work

Work is a big part of your life, but it can’t be your entire life. You have to find balance between climbing the corporate ladder and spending time with family and friends. We see a great many people focus so hard on getting a big promotion or finishing a gigantic project that they have no personal life at all, which leads to burnout quickly.

You need interests beyond your work. If you’re struggling to find a hobby, try scrolling through the “things to do” section of Groupon. We’ve taken painting classes, pottery courses, museum specialty tours, fishing trips—you name it. It’s our go-to place when we’re out of ideas for things to do.

4. Find Meaning in Your Work

If your work seems meaningless to you, it’s time to find a new job. Lately, we’ve worked with a lot of clients who are stuck in a rut, hating their jobs, facing burnout, yet they make every excuse to stay where they are. Change is hard, but it’s part of life. Sometimes maturity means recognizing that what you are doing isn’t working for you. If you’re stuck, find the courage to make a move—any move—to do something different than what you are currently doing.

Finding meaningful work may mean trying a variety of jobs, and there’s nothing wrong with that. The world is an abundant place, full of jobs in all industries for people of all talents. If you feel like your work is meaningless, tidy up your resume and start applying for other opportunities. There’s an indeed and a Zip Recruiter full of jobs, just waiting for you.

5. Recognize the Signs of Burnout

One of the best things you can do to prevent burnout is to know the signs that you may be burning out so that you can start making changes to prevent it. Here are a few things to look for in determining if you are burning out:

You feel “stuck” in our job
You feel overwhelmed almost every day
You are too tired to do anything after work but eat and sleep
Your attitude stinks
You neglect yourself or your home (See that pile of dishes you haven’t washed in a week?)

If you think you are burning out, at the very least, take a couple sick or personal days to reflect on your overall mental and physical health. Evaluate if it’s time for a change, and if it is, be brave enough to make it.

Save to Pinterest

5 Jobs for Nosy Snoops and Busy Bodies

Posted on June 5, 2018June 10, 2018 by Mister Watson

A right to snoop is something only Sherlock Holmes is allowed. Everyone else should be humble, unassuming, and believe what they are told. Being nosy is a nasty habit…or is it?

The truth is that a small amount of curiosity is normal. Some people can’t help but dig a little deeper and read between the lines. Far from being reproachable, it’s a fantastic quality to have in some career fields. Sure, regular bosses usually hate the idea of people stepping out of line, but these roles are different.

They are the type of positions that don’t hold back your natural inclination; they release it in full force. Here are the jobs that will make your nosy heart melt with contentedness.

1. Recruitment Specialist

Companies need quality employees yet they don’t have time to waste. As such, they hire experts who can provide the best candidates in a matter of weeks to limit turnover time. These professionals are called recruiters and are often referred to asheadhunters. You never contact them; they get in touch with you. That’s why curiosity is integral to the role.

For starters, this position requires you to read between the lines and spot the workers who are head and shoulders above the rest. Going off hearsay and industry gossip is a surefire way to hire the wrong person. Plus, it’s important to understand the person behind the mask to ensure they will be a good fit. Depending on the recruiter, this can involve spying on their social media accounts and combing through their tweets. Think of it like one of those moments Sherlock Holmes stalks someone in one of his disguises to find out their business.

Finally, a face-to-face meeting is where you can use background research to push them and learn more. If you think a headhunter is like a spy, then you’re not far wrong. They want to find out everything they can about potential individuals. The more they know about you, the better they can match you to a position. A position that gives them a piece of the action. Let’s just call that the snoopers fee.

2. News Reporter

The job of a news reporter orjournalist is to keep the establishment honest. People in power do things to abuse their position and increase their lifestyle, often at the expense of the public. Anyone who needs an example of this should take a look at the work of the Washington Post and New York Times. Their constant reporting is often widely referred to by other networks. In fact, the special counsel is believed to use their contacts in the media to uncover suspicion of collusion.

Journalists get a terrible reputation. This is mainly because hacks exist and people don’t understand the position. Gossip reporting isn’t the gold standard by any means, and it’s not something kids dream of becoming as a youngster. Regardless, being a reporter includes fact checking on sensitive and personal info to uncover the truth. For those who don’t believe everything they read, this is a wonderful career choice. Maybe you can be the one who breaks the news and influences public opinion thanks to your nosiness. Just remember, not everyone thinks like a Holmes.

3. Forensic Accountant

As the name suggests, this role requires an expert grasp of numbers. To find the truth, people will tell you to follow the money. This is where the men and women of forensic accountancy come into play. With their pencils and rolls of paper and calculators, they poke and prod and investigate. If there is anything slightly untoward – fraud, say – then these are the folks that tend to crack the case. Who would hire such a person? It isn’t as if a felon boss is going to hand out a job that puts them in jail. However, some companies are obsessed with financial crimes and these are the ones that will want your services.

An insurance company is a prime example. Although their policies have been less than stellar in the past, the majority do pay out when necessary. Sadly, lots of policyholder’s attempt to defraud them of millions with a couple of simple lies. Thanks to a curious soul such as you, opportunists won’t get very far. Of course, the IRS is the pinnacle of forensic accountancy. If you run into obstacles, try embracing your Moriarty side.

4. Disease Prevention

It’s worth noting from the beginning that this is a difficult industry to break into because it’s exclusive. Without the right qualifications, there isn’t a research facility in the world that will take a chance on an employee. Consider this. Do you want someone working on your health that’s missing certain bits of information related to your physiology? That being said, the ones with a medical background can become the ultimate investigators. But, instead of solving crimes, you can prevent diseases from spreading and save lives. This is a bit more Watson, really, but he’s a bit of a snooper too. Holmes just had to catch him up a bit on the whole genius thing.

In many ways, working with experts such asPoseidais better than being a run-of-the-mill police officer. The role includes targeting genomes to try and modify innate behavior. That way the body will be able to fight back against illnesses which are incredibly dangerous. Imagine being one of the people who helped to cure cancer. Not only would it be a historic achievement but it would be due to your curiosity.

5. HR Manager

A human resources role is by no means as “sexy” as the other positions on this list. But it’s one of the most suitable jobs for people who are curious. For one thing, colleagues interact in inappropriate ways all of the time. The #MeToo movement is just one example.

Secondly, the company has to react professionally for the good of everyone involved. So saying there isn’t enough evidence to rule either way won’t cut the mustard. You will have to investigate by speaking to peers and previous bosses and coworkers to see if there is a pattern that you can prove. Being an HR manager isn’t all boring. In fact, you will likely find challenges you never thought you’d face. Especially if you are a Holmes type. Honestly, when was the last time Sherlock considered someone’s emotions in resolving a situation?

When all is said and done, it comes down to just how curious are you? How do you plan on using your curiosity to get ahead in the business world?

Save to Pinterest

8 Reasons to Love a Career in Hospitality

Posted on June 5, 2018June 10, 2018 by Edna Crane

Many people want to break into the hospitality industry, and there is a very good reason why. Hospitality is what the public wants. We want entertainment, good food, exciting drinks, and excellent customer service. Together, all of this adds up to a good, fun time, and it’s put on by the people who love the industry. The shifts can be long, the jobs are diverse, but the hospitality industry may be perfect for you if you love making people happy.

Chefs in their hats and baggy chef pants make you a meal you’ll talk about for years on end. Here are eight reasons hospitality is a great career choice:

1. People are Happy to See You

At the end of a tough workweek, you don’t want to just sit at home You want to go out, let your hair down and have fun!

If you’re the person serving up said fun, then there are a lot of people out there who are happy to see you. They want to see your smiling face, ready to help them with whatever they need. The job satisfaction of that alone—knowing that you make someone’s day that little bit better—is enough to a lot of people working in the hospitality industry.

2. You Get to Be Creative

It doesn’t matter what your role is in the industry, you have the chance to get creative. Bartenders can create their own cocktails and cocktail menus. Chefs have the power to create new and beautiful dishes. Concierges can tailor experiences for guests that delight their every whim. You have the power to be as creative as the parameters of your job allows, and who doesn’t want that kind of job satisfaction?

3. It’s a Mad Adrenaline Rush

You get the chance to work in an industry that doesn’t stop moving, evolving, and pushing boundaries. Every day, restaurants, bars and hotels are opened all over the world. Every country has a hospitality industry that they are proud of, which means that you get to transfer your skills wherever they are needed. Adrenaline rush? Yep!

4. There’s Fantastic Job Fluidity

In many jobs, there is a ceiling to how far you can grow. In hospitality, you don’t just grow up—you can grow sideways. The scope in your ability to move through jobs and climb the corporate ladder quickly is tremendous, and hospitality is one of the only industries where your skills count in that way.

5. …and Amazing Flexibility

In hospitality, you have the chance to work in shifts. Most people aren’t fans of the unsociable hours that some hospitality roles face, but others understand that working nights isn’t a bad thing and that the extra supplement for working the weekend shift is going to help you pay for your next vacation. Take the time to bask in the fact that while everyone else is headed to work on Monday morning, you are not!

6. It’s a Vibrant, Fun Atmosphere

How many office jobs do you know of that serve their staff a gourmet meal as part of their day? Not many. One of the many perks about hospitality is that while you’re on your shift and you are a professional, you can have a little banter with the customers and you can really indulge in the fun of your role. There is no need to worry about a lack of fun when you are working in an industry that literally requires your colleagues to be bouncy, vibrant, and full of life.

7. You have Job Security (If You’re Any Good)

Yes, hospitality has a high staff turnover rate, but this is because there are many temporary jobs and contract positions in the industry. You will always find work when you have hospitality skills, because employers always need skilled employees. People will always need to eat, drink and find a place to sleep, and you can provide this to them by being part of an industry that really doesn’t sleep.

8. It’s Easy to Enter the Field

Okay, maybe not ‘easy’ in the sense that just anyone can work in it, but hospitality has many different routes into the industry. You can work from the very bottom in a kitchen and end up head chef one day. You can choose to get a degree in hospitality and management and become the manager of a restaurant. You could choose to open your own place after a few years of experience in a bustling eatery. The point is, the industry is open to possibility, and it’s up to you how you use it.

Hospitality is not for the faint of heart or those who want to slack off, but if you want a fun career and you enjoy helping people enjoy themselves, then hospitality may be a good career path for you.