As of 2016, more than 11 million parents in the U.S. were not working outside the home. But, that doesn’t mean they weren’t/aren’t working. As a stay-at-home-mom, you already know that you have about 20 different job titles throughout the day, from professional chef to teacher.
But, whether you recently quit your job to stay at home with the kids or you’ve been home with the kids for years, it’s never too late to consider working remotely. It’s become a popular option in recent years and has become somewhat of a necessity in 2020 thanks to COVID-19’s impact.
If you’re a stay-at-home-mom looking to earn extra income, the sky is truly the limit when it comes to what you can do. If you’re interested in something part-time, you can make money on Amazon or sign up for side hustles in the gig economy. But, if you’re looking for something more permanent, it’s important to know how to look for a good job, and how to land one quickly.
Step Outside Your Comfort Zone
Whether you worked somewhere previously or have specific skills, that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to limit yourself to a certain industry. You might find more fulfillment in thinking outside the box when it comes to your job search. Not only that, but there will be more jobs available to you if you don’t box yourself into a specific line of work. According to job-search site Monster, some of the top industries for job satisfaction are:
- Consulting
- IT/network security
- Research and development
- Market research
- Purchasing
- Arts and entertainment
If you’re interested in a career in any of those industries (or others), you can take comfort in knowing trends in project management, which crosses many industries, have been moving to remote work as well. Thanks to platforms like Trello and Asana, it’s become easier than ever to work in a new career field while staying organized and remaining in constant communication with your co-workers.
With that in mind, don’t box yourself into a specific stay-at-home career because you feel as though it’s all you can do. You’re likely to get more satisfaction by stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something you’re passionate about.
Job Search Tips (and What to Avoid!)
When you’ve decided to start actively looking for jobs, there are some definite dos and don’ts to consider that can help you along the way. When you’re searching, be clear about what you want. It’s better to have an idea of the job you’re looking for, rather than going through random searches to find something that stands out to you. Research companies that interest you, and tailor your resume to fit those companies’ needs.
Don’t forget to network! While online job searching has made it easier than ever to see everything that’s available, there is still no replacement for landing something based on who you know. Think about the people in your life and who might be able to help you get a job you’re interested in. Or, go digital with your networking efforts on sites like LinkedIn.
When you’re searching, try to avoid some common pitfalls, including holding yourself back because you think a new job will be too stressful or limiting yourself with nothing more than a good resume without finding ways to network. You are the only one in control of your job search, so don’t let negative self-talk hold you back from finding something that works for you.
Working from Home with Kids
Again, as a stay-at-home-mom, you’re likely all too familiar with having multiple jobs every day. So, adding a full-time remote job to that is a sizable undertaking. If you decide to leave your current job to work from home, make sure you understand your legal rights. If you recently had a child, for example, you are entitled to an extended family leave, which can give you time to decide whether you want to work from home and how you’re going to do it. The same goes for child adoption or any illnesses or specific conditions your child might have that cause you to remain home.
Whether you were working somewhere else or not, making the transition can be a challenge for some mothers. But, it certainly isn’t possible as long as you set some ground rules. While these aren’t tips for landing’ a job, you can certainly keep them in mind for making the most of that job and keeping it:
- Try to have the same routine each day, including waking up at the same time.
- Have a separate office space’ in the house away from everyone else.
- Make sure your family knows you have specific working hours in the day.
- Take breaks frequently to check on/spend time with your kids.
- Cut off your workday at the same time each day to spend time with your family.
If you’ve decided to start working remotely for any reason, you don’t have to sacrifice a career for your kids or time with your kids for a career. Finding a work-life balance is important for anyone. Keep these tips in mind to land a remote job that works for you, and learn how to find that balance as you work from home.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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