10 Tips For Re-Entering The Workforce As A Single Mother

Re-entering the workforce as a single mother can be overwhelming and scary. It’s not a small decision to make, you have many things on your plate to consider— who will watch your kids, how will you handle your finances, how can everything fit into one day?

Re-entering the workforce could also be good for both yourself and your family. It means earning money, meeting new people, and doing something for yourself as well.

This article is here to support you through this major move of re-entering the workforce as a single mother. We’ll share ten tips for making it easier on yourself when going back to work as a single parent.

Just take it one step at a time – You’ve got this!

Challenges Of Returning To Work As A Single Mother

Here are some common challenges that single moms may face when re-entering the workforce:

1. Child Care

Single parents face difficulties in finding dependable and affordable child care. Without a full-time daycare provider, it’s harder for those with abnormal work shifts or financial struggles to keep a job while watching their children.

Also, this can be aggravating because you have to figure out what places have openings, how good they are, and whether your kid will be safe there.

2. Financial Stress

When you are the only adult in your household, all of the money is on you too.

Re-entering the workforce after having a child is an option that one may take to fix their shortage of funds.

However, this decision comes with responsibilities like paying someone else for childcare services during working hours and buying clothes suitable for such occasions.

At this point managing money becomes very important since saving might become hard due to low income and unexpected expenses which tend to come up more often when there is only one source of income flowing into the house now.

3. Time Management

We’ve all had days where we ran around trying to get everything done but couldn’t even catch our breaths until after the sun went down because we were so busy from dawn til dusk.

Now imagine being a single parent who has been out all day working just trying to make enough money while also showing their kids attention at the same time.

Their lives must feel like sand slipping between their fingers when they look back on it later because time moves too quickly for them right now. 

When your schedule is filled with printed-out Google Sheets telling you what should be happening every hour there isn’t much left over anyway though huh?

4. Emotional Impact

Re-entering the workforce after some time off as a person taking care of family members brings emotions out that people sometimes never knew they had (especially if gone long periods). 

They think they’re not good enough or worry about failing worse than anything before.

Not being able to drop off and pick up from school every day yourself can make you feel guilty and sad. 

And then on top of it all trying not let stress get too high between jobs while being a mom leads to feeling burnt out.

5. Career Advancement

Sometimes when you leave work for an extended period like this it can hinder future advancement opportunities. So when you do go back to apply for a job, you might start at the bottom or have to start over. That is never fun.

Single parents may also need extra schooling or training during this time off to stay competitive with others who haven’t been out of work so long but that doesn’t mean there aren’t options based on your experience or life format—don’t give up yet!

Building connections and being resourceful will be key as well as resilience throughout this challenging process.

Read More: How To Date As A Single Parent: 6 Helpful Tips To Restart Your Romantic Life!

10 Tips For Re-Entering The Workforce As A Single Mother  

Here are ten tips for re-entering the workforce as a single mother:

1. You First Have To Update The Resume

Start off your resume rewrite by tailoring it to your skillset and experience. Highlight relevant accomplishments and qualifications to show potential employers why you’re a strong candidate.

Anything goes – whether that’s volunteering, freelancing or taking on additional learning outside of employment. A well-crafted resume can help you stand out from other applicants and get yourself in front of the interview panel.

2. Networking is Key

When making your way back to work, networking is essential. Reach out to former colleagues, friends, family members, etc., for any leads or knowledge of events going on.

Industry events, job fairs, and professional networking groups are also great options for expanding your connections and giving yourself more opportunities to search for jobs.

By meeting professionals in your field, not only will you discover hidden vacancies but also establish valuable long-term relationships.

3. Be Flexible

There are many flexible working arrangements available that can help balance parenting duties with being an employee again. Consider part-time roles or remote positions that allow you to be around for your child whilst still earning money.

Research companies that offer these types of setup and enquire about them during interviews or applications. Flexibility is crucial when managing life as a working single mother.

4. Get Back Into It

Stay competitive by updating your skills and staying current within your industry. This will help in re-entering the workforce and remain competitive in the job market. 

There are many online classes/courses/workshops/certifications etc., which can give you an edge over other candidates and keep you abreast in a fast-moving world.

If there’s something specific that interests you but isn’t necessarily ‘in demand’ at present – go after it anyway! Invest in yourself and new doors will open easier than before.

5. Make The Most Of Resources

Don’t be afraid to reach out for support from organizations designed specifically for single mothers like yourself; they have numerous resources such as advice & emotional support through the re-entry process.

Read More: Raising A Child As A Single Dad: 10 Helpful Tips!

6. Hire a babysitter:

Arrange for the services of a person who can be relied upon to provide care at times which are convenient for you and will meet your requirements. 

After-school clubs may be looked up or childminding assistance near me could be researched so as to find out what is most suitable for my family.

Make sure that I communicate with the babysitter about my working hours and duties, this will help in avoiding any misunderstanding. It would be best if everything is clear so that I can concentrate on my work without worries.

7. Take it easy:

It is important to rest sometimes when getting back into employment so that you do not break down – physically or mentally. Allocate some time for activities like meditation, doing exercises or just bonding with people you love most.

At all costs try not to mix work matters with personal life since they might end up exhausting you in case of doing one thing repeatedly throughout the day. 

You need to take care of yourself not only as an individual but also as someone’s employee too especially now that am single parenting.

8. Be real with yourself:

Understand what is manageable both at work place and home setting because things may fail to go as planned occasionally and this should not worry us at all because we learn through experience. 

Therefore, let me show myself some grace even as I continue figuring out how best to handle different situations in the future.

Set objectives that are attainable within specified periods then celebrate whenever achieved regardless of their size or significance because every step counts towards success

Being a single mother demands certain adjustments from employers hence such issues must be communicated early enough before it becomes too late for intervention by either party involved.

9. Create a network:

Surround myself with individuals who understand and support my current situation – friends, relatives, or colleagues who have been through similar challenges being single moms while holding down professional jobs

There’s no harm in seeking assistance from them whenever necessary since they would do the same were it that I am in their shoes.

Sharing our encounters can make coping easier since there will always be another person elsewhere having gone through them too besides offering useful tips that have worked for them or just providing moral support when needed most.

10. Stay positive & persistent:

Keep up the fighting spirit and avoid giving in easily until you secure employment meeting all the requirements list. 

Therefore, we should bear in mind that sometimes finding a perfect job may take longer than expected but that does not mean one has to give up on such dreams forever.

Continue applying for different positions for re-entering the workforce, networking as well as exploring other options aligned with personal ambitions. 

Never forget that each rejection is simply meant to teach us something; so focus on where we want ourselves and our families to be many years from now thereby nothing shall derail our determination.

These are some of the strategies one can use while trying to re-enter into paid work after becoming a single mother. 

Remember also patience is a virtue hence learn how to wait upon oneself before celebrating any achievements along this journey. 

Re-entering the workforce as a single mother may not happen overnight considering all these factors surrounding life as a lone parent but eventually, success will come knocking at your door.

Read More: 5 Tips on How to be a Successful Single Mother

One Day At A Time

You are not alone as you begin the process of re-entering the workforce as a single mother. The difficulties may appear insurmountable, but they can be conquered through persistence and a strong will.

We recognize the special challenges faced by single mothers and want to provide help and motivation.

We commend your bravery in furthering your career while being a parent.

Make use of those around you for support, find helpful tools, and take care of yourself first whenever possible.

Do not forget that you are capable of achieving greatness; we have faith in your success.

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