Minding the Gap

Minding the
Gap:

Five
obstacles stay-at-home moms need to overcome in
order to compete in today’s job market

When
stay-at-home Moms begin job searching after for five, ten, or more years of
being at home, they often find themselves lacking the confidence and sometimes
the skills needed to land the type of job they’d like to have. I call this
“The Gap”.

We’ve
spent the past 2 years interviewing hiring managers, recruiters and HR
professionals to define this gap, and find out what areas stay-at home Moms most
need to address in order to compete in today’s job market.

The
feedback has been remarkably consistent! Here’s what they want to see:

1. The Resume:
Time
at home with family should not be reflected by a void on a resume. You’ve
certainly done whole heck of a lot more than nothing!

Highlight your volunteer activities and identify all
relevant, transferable skills you’ve learned and utilized.

For instance: If you served on a board,
include your leadership and management skills! If you managed any projects,
highlight the skills you used to get the job done! If you raised funds, this is
selling / marketing experience! Most of the time, participation in groups
includes process optimization, teambuilding, etc. Be sure to include any
numbers that demonstrate the results you obtained.

Bottom line: Do not undervalue or
“pass over” what you’ve been doing, even if you weren’t getting paid
for it. The hiring Managers are open to time out of the workforce, but they do
want to see what you have been doing. Remember, the resume is designed to get
you the interview. It is the interview that can get you the job- so make sure
to keep the resume concise and easy to scan in 30-45 seconds.

2. Computer Skills:
It’s
unanimous. Every single hiring manager we interviewed cited computer skills as
a showstopper to gainful employment and critical to competing in today’s job
market. Even career and college classes require you to have computer
capabilities now, including Microsoft PowerPoint, Word and some Excel.

Be
careful not to underestimate how much there is to be learned! Some light
internet and email use is not enough in the business world.

Not
sure where to start? Take a benchmark test to see where you stand. Employment/
staffing agencies can provide these. They also provide “brush-up”
tutorials. The Microsoft website has a library of tutorials, and most local
adult Ed programs also offer courses to get you started.

Become
comfortable with the basics and then research industry or job-specific
requirements. You can use O*Net to look up careers and learn what
industry-specific skills and software program knowledge are preferred.
(http://online.onetcenter.org)

Bottom line: You don’t need to be an
expert, but you do need to know your way around the computer and some basic
software programs. So invest in yourself and remember that employers are open
to offering some industry-specific training.

3. Professional image:
Candidates
who have been cleaning the house, driving carpools, and making lunches and
dinners for years need to throw out the sweats and t-shirts and update their
hair and wardrobe to reflect a new professional image!

Take
this time to “re-invent” yourself, it can be fun! Go get fitted for a
good bra. Update your hairstyle. (Make sure your hair color and makeup look natural!)

Buy
a few interview suits that can be mixed/ matched later for less formal use, and
have them tailored so they fit you well.

Remember
to keep your accessories toned down because you want them to hear what you’re
saying, not what you’re wearing. If this seems daunting, then get help from
someone who knows how to dress for interviews and for life in your new chosen
profession.

Bottom
line: Your appearance is extremely important! It demonstrates your level of
professionalism and commitment. It either says “executive”, or not.
Invest in your appearance and you’ll feel great!

4. Interview Skills:

Of
course I could write volumes on this topic, and many people have! So I’ll
include some of the basics that hiring managers want to see:

You’ve researched the Company: You know what properties of the company appeal
to you and why you want to work for them. Demonstrate that you have some
understanding of their industry. Research the competition too. What are the
industry hot buttons? Where is this company going? What is their culture?

You’ve made an effort to learn some of the industry-specific language: Every
industry has is “language”. Read up to at least understand standard
phrases and terms.

Be Real! Remember that the person on the other side of the desk would LOVE
nothing more than for you to be “the one” so that they can move on to
their next task! Seeming nervous or “manufactured” just makes it
difficult for them to figure out whether or not you’re a good fit for the job
in question.

So,
be yourself. If it’s not a good fit, then simply move on and remember that it’s
not personal. Also remember that you are interviewing them as well, to make
sure that their work environment is one that you’ll be happy and able to thrive
in.

Bottom line: Interviewing takes
practice. Get out there and learn! Make every interview an interesting
conversation, not an interrogation. Take every interview opportunity you can.
If you’re open, you’re bound to learn something from each interview experience!

The
best interview prep tool I’ve found is a killer value at $50, a 2 CD set called
“Interview Mastery”. You can find it at
http://www.backtobusiness.org/resources.html.

5. Confidence:
This
is not something you can buy or obtain easily. It comes from a process of
introspection, clarity of who you are now in your life, what your needs are,
and where you want to go- and it takes time and work to develop! So, be patient
with yourself.

Potential
employers do want to see that you believe in the value you can bring to their organization
and to the job you’re interviewing for.

Practice
articulating your value and goals: Women in particular often need improvement
when it comes to talking about themselves and their skills. Learn to
effectively market your skills to your chosen profession. Practice!

Be
clear on what type of work culture is best for you. Remember, it’s not about
getting any job; it’s about getting the right job in an environment where
you’ll be successful and happy.

Remember
that most companies know that stay-at-home Moms may be lacking in some areas,
however there are other areas where they will outshine their counterparts.
While raising children parents quickly mature. They learn professionalism,
commitment, patience and organizational skills. They also learn to multi-task
and keep cool during highly emotional situations.

Bottom line: Every individual has
special talents and strengths. You are valuable! If you package yourself
properly, and focus on finding the “right fit”, you will find
success!

Linda Waters is a wife, mother, career coach, and the
founder of Back to Business LLC. Located in Franklin, Massachusetts, Back to
Business provides a full range of services for women returning to the workforce
or seeking a better professional “fit” and more fulfilling career. By providing powerful self-assessments,
career exploration and coaching, resume and interview preparation, and
professional image development, Back to Business helps women reach their goals
with clarity and confidence.

For
more information on how you can get Back to Business, check out www.backtobusiness.org or call
508-520-4100.