| In 2000, about 77% of women in the prime ages | | | | important to know what skill levels you posses in |
| of 25 to 54 were in the workforce. However, the | | | | the software packages you would be required to |
| tide has turned and mothers challenged with | | | | use on a job. If your skills are not as sharp as |
| balancing careers and family have decided to drop | | | | they should be, then pursuing software training is |
| out of the workforce. Yet, at home, they find | | | | the next logical step. Legitimate employers want |
| they long to use their skills in a way that | | | | employees who have the skills that apply to their |
| contributes constructively to a business. They | | | | jobs. Beware of ads that say "No Skills Required". |
| hope for a flexible work schedule and time with | | | | What would you be doing that requires no skills? |
| the family to create work/life balance. | | | | Think about it. |
| They know that one day they will re-enter the | | | | If you were in a field that is greatly affected by |
| workforce full-time. Some may have to return to | | | | technology, policy changes or other |
| the working world, for one reason or another, | | | | advancements, being out for even a few short |
| long before they thought they would. They know | | | | years can make skills obsolete. If you wish to |
| that when they do attempt to return, the gap in | | | | return to that field we also suggest that you |
| their resume will create a huge disadvantage. So, | | | | keep up with the happenings in that industry. Stay |
| they are thinking ahead. They want to fill that gap | | | | connected to their previous employer, their |
| with flexible, part-time work. They'll have | | | | industry associations, journals and other |
| references and marketable skills to show for their | | | | publications. Take classes to update skills and stay |
| time away from full-time work. | | | | in the game. |
| At Smart Moms Online we encourage | | | | Often, moms returning to the workforce choose |
| Stay-at-home moms to think ahead to the day | | | | to pursue a totally new field. They may have |
| they may return to work. The time to prepare | | | | decided their old field is too demanding for them |
| for returning to work will come at different | | | | at this stage of life. Or, they just want to do |
| stages for different women. Some begin planning | | | | something different. Wouldn't it be great to |
| within months of being at home. For others it is | | | | explore your interests to determine where you |
| only after a few years that they feel ready to | | | | belong? |
| make that decision. Whatever the timing, if you | | | | Did you know that evaluating your strengths and |
| are a stay-at-home mom, we advise you to put | | | | weaknesses may help you develop a better |
| more than thought into it. Pursue work-at-home | | | | resume or sell your self stronger on a job |
| opportunities to gain experience for your resume. | | | | interview? |
| You should assess your computer skills. It is very | | | | |