Working mothers face many obstacles when returning to work after taking a career break. According to research done by LinkedIn, more than 70% of mothers are part of the US workforce. Yet there are barriers that they need to overcome when making the transition from mother to working mother.
Rosanna Durruthy, VP of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at LinkedIn offers many tips for working parents based on this new study conducted via a Censuswide survey fielded from February 13 – 20, 2020, among 3,000 working parents ages 18-54 and 1,000 hiring managers across the U.S.
Durruthy shares that more than half of hiring managers recognize the difficulties working mothers face on a daily basis from inflexible work schedules to stigmas around taking time off. It can be very challenging for mothers to advance in their careers after taking a break, but they should embrace their time off. The data compiled shows that hiring managers tend to have an open mind when recruiting mothers returning to work. They see the value this group brings to the workplace and are eager to bring them in. Managers feel that moms are likely to be hard-working, have strong time-management skills and patience. Parents should highlight any career breaks on their resume and share the benefits gained by taking this time off.
When looking for a new job, moms should seek out companies that are right for their specific needs. Companies that offer a flexible work schedule are often the best fit. The interview period can be used as a time to gauge the company culture. Parents can also research part-time roles or work opportunities that allow them to work remotely.
Parents should look for community resources when reentering the workforce. Managers can help with finding out what sponsorship opportunities are available. Reaching out to connections in their network, allows working moms to find mentors or new opportunities. LinkedIn offers groups for working women including Working Single Moms and Thrive: Professional Women’s Group.
Duruthy writes, “The transition from employee to mother to working mother can be a remarkable shift, but remember that you’re not alone.”
—Jennifer Swartvagher
Featured photo: Dane Deaner on Unsplash
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