Episode 330 | Author: Emilie Aries

2020 hit women’s careers hard - leaving 2.5 million American women exiting the workforce altogether.

Many of these women have children and faced an impossible set of choices: to go to work without adequate schooling or childcare, or prioritize caring for loved ones full-time at the risk of stalling their careers.

Moms Job Search — In today’s episode, Emilie shares how working women - and moms in particular - can take the initial steps forward to restart their careers after 2020.

In a recent Washington Post op-ed, Madam Vice President Kamala Harris herself called the status of women in the workforce a national emergency, citing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics that showed 2020 resulted in 2.5 million women exiting the workforce altogether compared to 1.8 million men.

2020 has such a disruptive impact on the lives and careers of working professionals - especially parents, who suddenly found themselves stuck making an impossible choice between going to work or supporting kids through their own intensive changes when public schools shifted to virtual learning.

In February, The New York Times released a special report called, “A Primal Scream: America’s Mothers Are in Crisis,” in which story after story chronicled real women’s stories as they found themselves stepping back or exiting careers they’d built over the course of decades in order to care for family members in need.

The COVID-19 global pandemic knocked many of us off-course in countless ways, but there is good news on the horizon: economists are already seeing early signs of a hiring boom. And it looks like with the swift roll-out of the vaccines - at least here in the USA - many schools are planning to re-open in person at full capacity this fall - which is a total game-changer for working parents.

So if you, or someone you love, is thinking about jumping back into the workforce after 2020 knocked them off their career path, here are 4 ways to get your career restarted.

1. Clarify your (potentially new) needs

Whenever you’re faced with a pivot point in your career, it’s critically important to start with your end goal in mind. Things with your family may have changed, the world has certainly changed, and your career has changed. It makes sense that your goals may have shifted as well.

One of my favorite writers and researchers in the Harvard Business Review, Herminia Ibarra, suggests that career pivoters navigating a change after COVID embrace what’s known as a liminal period: that uncomfortable time in between a past that’s gone and a future that’s still uncertain.

“Liminality can be an unpleasant state to inhabit emotionally.” writes Ibarra. “People going through it feel unmoored, lose their bearings, and oscillate between ‘holding on’ and ‘letting go.’ But this fraught stage is a necessary part of the journey, because it allows you to process a lot of complex emotions and conflicting desires, and ultimately prevents you from shutting down prematurely and missing better options that still lie ahead.”

So how can you make the most of this liminal period? Make time for meaningful reflection - journaling, talking things out with a trusted friend, meditation, or whatever kind of practice helps you find clarity. Be sure to consider what your “must-haves” and “nice-to-have” needs are for the next job you’re willing to take.

I always say, you have to start your job search by aiming high, and then if need be, compromise later.

2. Explain your time out of work without apology!

New research from LinkedIn shows that nearly half (49%) of hiring managers say that they'd hire a working mom who's taken a career break, because she's likely to be hard-working, have strong time management skills, and patience.

Furthermore, when it comes to explaining a career break during the interview, nearly 60 percent (58%) of hiring managers agree that parents should highlight any career breaks they’ve had on their resume and proactively share the value of taking this time off.

The bottom line here is: don’t let anyone make you feel ashamed or embarrassed for what’s transpired in your career this past year. No one should pass judgement on the impossible set of choices working parents faced in 2020. So proceed with kindness for yourself and confidence in the skills you bring to the table.

3. Negotiate for the flexibility you need

If coming back to work full-time feels impossibly daunting, remember there are creative flexible options available, too.

Flexjobs is a great job-searching platform that specializes in sharing vetted job opportunities (i.e. not scams!) that are offering employment with remote and flexible work options.
Job-sharing is another growing trend that is exactly what it sounds like: splitting up a traditional full-time role with another person, your job-share partner. Check out the great resources over at WorkMuse.com or hear from their Founder, Melissa Nicholson, on episode 136 of the Bossed Up podcast, for more details on making job-sharing work for you!
Part-time, freelance and contract gigs are always an option as well. Just be aware that sometimes they’re harder to come by when companies are hiring mostly full-time positions. That said, don’t be afraid to be assertive! I’ve seen plenty of consultants find success in approaching a company, for example, who’s posted a full-time bookkeeper position, and made their case as to why the company would be better off hiring a part-time bookkeeper as a contractor instead. Just remember when setting your consulting / contractor rates that you’ll end up being taxed as a much higher rate as a business than as a W-2 employee - so adjust your rates up accordingly!

Don’t forget: almost any job can become a more flexible job. So don’t consider anything off the table if it’s not listed with the flexible benefits you’re looking for. I recommend if you find an opportunity that seems like a great fit - first do all you can to secure the job offer, then negotiate for the flexibility you need to succeed!

4. Job search like a mother!

Once you’ve mastered all the steps above, it’s time to jump into the job search in earnest. But keep in mind, mama: you’ve already demonstrated that you can do difficult things! I’m writing this post while 4.5 months pregnant with my first child, in awe of the strength it takes to not only grow a human being inside me, but what I anticipate actually bringing a baby into this world is going to be like, too! If you’ve already given birth to a human, you can bring a new job opportunity in your life as well, I guarantee it.

You’re going to need to call on the same grit, consistency, and resilience that’s required of you in child-rearing, too. I recommend adopting what I lovingly refer to as a “Mama Bear Mindset,” or a willingness to fight for whatever you and your loved ones need.

Just remember: you don’t need to do this alone. Not only are there millions of women navigating the same workforce re-entry process right now, but there are millions more who are employed who want to see you succeed, too. Seek out support, accountability, connections, and advice early and often. And know that the Bossed Up community is here to help you each and every step of the way.