UAE jobs 2021: 10 Tips to help parents find a job after a career break

Reclaiming your career as a parent can be challenging - a complicated balancing act of filling two distinct roles. But whether you’ve been on maternity leave, or simply took some time out of the rat race to be with your rug rats, these tips can help you find the right role and re-enter the work place feeling more confident than ever…

START WITH WHAT YOU ACTUALLY WANT: Evaluate your situation and look carefully at what type of employment you are after, says Louise Karim, managing director of flexible-work recruitment agency Women@Work. “Look at whether your interests and skills have changed and what roles could be more suitable if you're looking for a career change. The more comfortable you are with the role/organisation and the flexibility offered, the more confident you will feel going into it. Whether that's returning to your previous job, approaching companies that offer flexibility, or changing your career path - look at what works best for you.”

WORK ON YOUR CV/ LINKED-IN ACCOUNT: Once you know what type of employment you are looking for, it's time to get your CV up-to-date and start building your social media presence. “Do a little research and tailor your CV to suit the types of roles and industries you're applying for,” says Karim. “Avoid leaving a big gap in your CV; an option could be to include any voluntary work you've done or include a 'relevant experience' section that highlights how you have developed characteristics considered desirable for the types of roles you're going for. LinkedIn is also so important! This is a chance to showcase what you are all about. Remember keep it professional and no selfies please! For useful tips and techniques check out some of the Women@Work articles.”

BRUSH UP ON YOUR SKILLS: One of the biggest concerns employers have about employees who’ve had time out of work is that they won't be up to date with the latest advancements, processes and practices in their industry, says Karim: “The hiring manager will be looking to see if you know your stuff, so try to stay connected during your career break. Keep on top of the latest trends and the key news and influences in your industry, either through taking an online course, signing up to a relevant workshop, or reading trade magazines and websites.”

FIND FREE ONLINE TOOLS AND WORKSHOPS: Updating your CV with new knowledge doesn’t necessarily mean signing up to an expensive course. Google Digital Garage for example is an amazing treasure trove of free, cutting-edge digital knowledge, offering training on everything from optimising your website to search, social media, online marketing and beyond - you can choose the topics you want to learn, or complete the whole online course for certification from Google and IAB Europe. Or check out business-related TED talks and podcasts, or websites like Jobs.mom, women@work, LinkedIn and Hopscotch.work, all of which offer virtual workshops, seminars and networking events where you can get the latest insights.

INVESTIGATE RETURNSHIPS: These are similar to internships, except at a higher level of seniority for people who have had previous experience but may have been out of the industry for a while, and they are often paid. Even if there no permanent job at the end of it, these can help you fill any larger career gaps, creating a bridge back to senior roles for experienced professionals. Women@Work has a Returnships initiative, as does Mumzworld, Mastercard, Hopscotch.work and many other companies.

NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK: Reconnect with and network with people online who work in your industry to get a flavour of work routines, challenges and politics in your field, and, of course, potential job leads. “Review CVs similar to your profile on LinkedIn to check yours meets the standard,” says HR professional, Archana Bhatia. “Also, keep an eye on - and comment on - LinkedIn Groups for news of relevant industry seminars, networking meetings to stay updated." “Identify chosen people in your industry; read about them, follow them on social media, reach out to them for coffee,” adds Women@work’s Louise Karim. “Have objectives set and don't be afraid to ask for advice and introductions. Build meaningful relationships - you never know what they will lead to.”

ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR NEW TRANSFERABLE SKILLS: "Believing in yourself is the first step to getting back into the workplace; don't underestimate how much you've gained during your time out as well as what you achieved pre-parenthood,” says Karim. “Make a list of your new skills, the times you've been pushed out of your comfort zone, ways in which you've built your resilience and how this can be transferred into the workplace. Remember: your DNA has not changed, the skills and attributes you had before parenthood are still there, now enhanced.”

SELL YOUR SOFT SKILLS: Do not underestimate what you have learnt while being out of the office. "Whether you're in paid or unpaid work you are always learning new skills," says Louise Karim of Women@work. "Multitasking, time management and risk assessment are all examples of the amazing skills that a parent hones. Also, don't forget that everything you knew before hasn't disappeared because you took a break. Your maturity, energy and enthusiasm are also fantastic traits any employer would be happy to have."

TURN HIGHS INTO LOWS: "Be kind to yourself and use words that are positive and carry good energy,” says stylist and entrepreneur Kelly Lundberg. “The language you used can change the path of your entire day.” She also recommends ditching any working-parent guilt. “Remember that for children it's inspirational to see your parent do something that they enjoy and excel at.”

GIVE UP TRYING TO PLEASE EVERYONE: “I learnt early on that when it comes to being a working mum, you can't please everyone and it is not your job to try,” says Sarah Jones, CEO of former parenting and lifestyle e-commerce site Sprii.ae. “Other parents. Teachers. Colleagues. Friends. Family. It will be impossible to please them all. Your job is to do what makes you happy and healthy and go after your passions."