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