Stepping back into the workforce after parental or maternity leave can be both exhilarating and daunting. You may feel a surge of motivation to jump back into your professional identity, coupled with the weight of anxiety about juggling more responsibilities. Many parents at this stage find themselves asking: What’s next for my career? Can I even do it? Am I too different now to do and achieve what I use to? Do I even want to?
Returning to work after having a child is a major life transition. Your values, your day-to-day routines, and your sense of self may have shifted significantly since you were last working. In this blog post, I will outline practical steps to help you redefine your career goals and navigate this transition with clarity and confidence.
1. Acknowledge the Emotional Landscape
Before you dive into career planning, it’s important to notice the emotional complexity of returning to work. You might feel excitement, guilt, relief, panic, and uncertainty all at once. Allowing yourself the space to acknowledge these emotions can help you approach your transition more honestly and thoughtfully.
Give Yourself Permission to Feel: It’s normal to feel a mix of anticipation and worry. The key is to let these emotions exist without judgment.
Seek Support: Talk with some who ”gets it”, look for parenting groups online, or work with a coach or therapist who can help you navigate these emotional shifts.
Actionable Tip:
Set aside 5 minutes a day, before bed or early in the morning, to journal about your thoughts and feelings regarding going back to work. If writing feels too onerous, try doing voice memo journaling. This helps you process emotions and get clarity on how you feel..
2. Reflect on Your Evolving Priorities
Life looks different now. You likely have new or added responsibilities, less free time, or a shifted perspective on what truly matters. Start by reflecting on your priorities:
Work-Life Balance: How much time and energy can you realistically allocate to work while maintaining the day to day in your family life?
Financial Requirements: Do you need to match or exceed your previous monthly income, or do you have more flexibility?
Personal Growth or Stability: Are you seeking new challenges or personal development opportunities now or are you looking to return to familiarity and predictability?
It’s okay if your career needs and desires have changed. Perhaps your drive to get to the next job or obtain that promotion has changed, and now you prioritize flexible hours and remote work options. Or maybe you’re newly motivated to advance after feeling more confident in your capabilities. Understanding these shifts will guide you toward roles and decisions that support your current lifestyle.
Actionable Tip:
Create a list of your top five priorities (e.g., flexibility, financial stability, meaningful work, etc.). Rank them in order of importance. Keep this list visible as you plan your return to work. priorities beyond the top five may need to be compromised during this transition or stage in life.
3. Assess Your Current Skill Set
After months, or even years, away from the office, it’s normal to wonder if your skills are still sharp and/or relevant. The good news is that skills don’t simply disappear when you step out of the workplace. In fact, many parents develop new, highly transferable skills while caring for a child:
Time Management: Juggling feedings, nap schedules, and household tasks often makes parents masters of scheduling.
Communication: Coordinating with partners, caregivers, and new community connections can hone your communication and negotiation abilities.
Adaptability: Babies and children have a knack for throwing you curveballs, fostering a sense of resilience and adaptability.
If your field has changed significantly, you may need to refresh certain tools or certifications. Make this part of the plan in advance or as part of your onboarding negotiation.
Actionable Tip:
Conduct a “skills inventory.” Write down all the professional and personal skills you possess, including those you’ve sharpened during your leave. This will give you confidence in your capabilities and help you identify any skill gaps you want to address.
4. Identify Potential Paths and Flexibility Options
With your values and skills in mind, start exploring roles that match your new priorities. If you are returning to a previous role, communicate these needs early to your employer to see what they can and can’t accommodate. Some of your options to consider include returning to your previous position, seeking a promotion, or venturing into a completely different field. If you’re unsure which direction to take, here are some options to consider:
Freelancing or Consulting: If autonomy and flexible scheduling are high on your list, consider if there is freelancing in your field to offer more balance.
Part-Time Positions: Working fewer hours, initially, can ease the transition back into the workforce, giving you more room for family responsibilities.
Remote or Hybrid Roles: Many employers now offer remote work options, allowing you to save commute time and remain close to your children when needed.
Career Shift: If your values have changed drastically, you might decide it’s time to pivot to a new career altogether.
It’s worth noting that many employers recognize the need for flexibility of working parents. Don’t overlook the potential of seeking forward-thinking companies that offer return-to-work programs or family-friendly benefits.
Actionable Tip:
Spend a couple of hours each week researching companies that have strong work-life balance policies or return-to-work initiatives. Platforms like LinkedIn and Glassdoor often highlight companies with flexible arrangements and supportive cultures.
5. Set Realistic, Incremental Goals
Returning to work is often a multi-step process. Setting small, achievable goals will help you build momentum and avoid feeling overwhelmed:
Communicate Your Ideal Return to Your Employer
Communicating early helps you have all the information about what is possible to explore options that best suit you and your family. The worst they can say is “no” and then you make decisions from there.
Update Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile
Highlight new skills and experiences you developed during leave. Don’t forget to include any volunteer work or community projects.Explore Job Listings
Aim to research or apply to a set number of positions per week based on your ideal fit.Network Within Your Industry
Schedule informational interviews or coffee chats with professionals in your idea field or positions.Apply and Follow Up
Once your resume is polished and you’ve identified desired jobs, submit your applications and follow up strategically.
By breaking down the process into small steps, you’ll maintain a sense of control and accomplishment, even as you balance job searching with parenting duties.
Actionable Tip:
Use a spreadsheet or task management tool to keep track of the roles you’re interested in, the hiring timelines, and any follow-up actions needed. This ensures you don’t miss any opportunities while juggling a busy home life.
6. Utilize Your Network and Support Systems
Networking can feel intimidating, especially after a hiatus. However, your existing network is a valuable resource, colleagues, friends, and family members can connect you with potential opportunities or provide valuable advice.
Reconnect: Reach out to former coworkers, supervisors, or clients. Let them know you’re returning to work and what type of role you’re seeking.
Join Parenting/Professional Groups: Many organizations and online communities cater to parents re-entering the workforce. These groups are excellent sources of moral support and job leads.
Childcare and Emotional Support: Lean on family, friends, neighbours for childcare assistance during interviews, training, or job research. Having a reliable support system will reduce stress and free up mental space to focus on your career goals. This also works to prepare both you and your child to childcare transitions.
Actionable Tip:
Aim to schedule at least one networking connection every two weeks in the months leading up to your return to work, whether that’s attending a virtual meetup, setting up an informational interview, or reconnecting with a former colleague. Consistency in networking will open doors you might not even know existed.
8. Be Kind to Yourself and Stay Flexible
Life with children is inherently unpredictable. You might land a promising interview on the same day your child gets sick, or you might need to modify your work hours after starting a new role. Adaptability and self-compassion are crucial during this period.
Embrace Patience: You may not find the perfect position overnight. Each step, researching a new job, connecting with a potential employer, or updating your skills, is a step forward.
Celebrate Small Wins: Connected with someone or something new? That’s a win. Updated your resume? Found childcare? More wins. Recognize these milestones, no matter how small.
Adjust as Needed: You may realize you want a role with even more flexibility or that you’re ready for a full-time position faster than expected. Continually reassessing your needs ensures your career path fits your evolving situation.
Actionable Tip:
At the end of each week, write down or make a voice memo of three things you accomplished (big or small) in your job search or professional development. Reflecting on your progress can help you maintain motivation and perspective.
Final Thoughts
Returning to work after parental or maternity leave is a unique and significant career transition that intertwines our personal identities, evolving priorities, and professional aspirations. While the journey can be challenging, it also presents an opportunity to carve a path that genuinely aligns with your family needs, values, and personal goals.
By acknowledging your emotions, clarifying your new priorities, updating (and celebrating!) your existing skills, and building/utilizing your support system, you can navigate this transition with a bit more ease. Take it one step at a time, remain adaptable, and trust that the lessons you’ve learned both at home and in the workplace.
Remember: There is no wrong need or feeling in this process. Embrace this new chapter and be open to finding the clarity, confidence, and a sense of purpose are well within reach.