Job Search Tips For Working Parents
Harcum College
Office of Career & Transfer Services
Today’s Workshop Will Address:
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Job Search Strategies
Striving For Work/Life Balance
Flex Work Arrangements
Jobs That Offer Flexibility
Telecommuting Career Options
Job Search Strategies
Volunteer
Update Resume
Change Careers
Networking
Further
Education
Job Search Strategy » Networking
• Verbal Resumes/Elevator Speech
• Informational Interviews
• Contact Former Employers, Co-workers, etc.
Make sure you project confidence/enthusiasm!
Job Search Strategy » Change Career
• Is Your Current or Past Career TOO
Demanding?
• If So, Ask Questions About Your Values &
What You Want To Do With Your Life
• Reflect On What You Enjoyed Most About Past
Jobs…Can You Find This In Other Professions?
Job Search Strategy » Update Resume
• Create Or Revise Your Resume
• Highlight Any Volunteer/Community
Experience To Fill Employment Gaps
• Change Category Titles
• Use An Explanation Letter
Job Search Strategy » Volunteer
• Update of Learn New Skills
• Seek An Internship Opportunity
• Can Help Establish Professional Contacts
Job Search Strategy » More Education
• New Options For Financial Aid
• New Options For Distance/Online Learning
• Build On Previous Education Or Try Something
New
Job Search Strategy » Past Boss
• Contact Former Employers That Have A Good
Chance Of Taking You Back
• Better Chance To Negotiate A Flex-Work
Environment
Job Search Strategy » Find Mentor
• Identify Someone You Admire In The Field To
Guide And Connect You
• Might Be Someone Already In A Field That You
Would Like To Get Into
Job Search Strategy » Give It Time!!!
• Job Searches Take 3-6 Months Or Longer To
Re-Enter The Work Force
• Schedule 1-2 Hours Per Day For A Job Search
• Use Any And All Opportunities!!!
Alternative Work Arrangements » FWA
FWA = Flexible Work Arrangements
• Allow Flexibility In Scheduling Of Hours
• Provides Flexibility In Number Of Hours
Alternative Work Arrangements » FWS
FWS = Flexible Work Schedules
• Employee May Vary Start/End Times Or Days
• Still Must Work A Required Number Of Hours
Example: Longer MTW, Shorter TH, F
Jobs That Offer Flexibility
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Part Time
Seasonal
High Demand
High Turnover
Alternative Work Arrangements » TC
TC = Telecommuting
• Work From Home Instead Of Office
• Need To Be Disciplined And Need Quiet Area
• May Still Need To Go To Office On Occassion
Jobs That Offer Telecommuting
• Computer-Based Jobs
• Telephone-Based Jobs
• Companies That Are More OnlineBased
Alternative Work Arrangements » JS
JS = Job Sharing
• 2 Employees Split Duties Of A Full Time
Position
• Salaries & Benefits Usually Pro-rated
Example: Person 1: Mon, Tues, AM Wed
Person 2: PM Wed, Thurs, Fri
AWA’s» How To Propose
• Consider Employer’s Perspective:
Pitch Your Proposal & How They Will Benefit
• Build Your Skills:
More Skills, More Valuable
• Think Small:
50 to 99 Employee Company
Work/Life Balance» Strive For It
• Ask Employer For A Change In Work Schedule
-Research Company Policies
-Show How You Will Be More Valuable
• Consider A New Career Or Less Stressful Job
-Step Back In The Field
-Find A New Job/Environment
Work/Life Balance» Strive For It
• Change How You Schedule Your Time
-Schedule ‘Down Time’ Between Meetings
-Purposely Schedule Nothing
• Manage Your Time
-Set Realistic Goals & Deadlines
-Set Time Aside Today To Plan For Tomorrow
Work/Life Balance» Strive For It
• Share or Find Support
-Ask For Help From Partner, Friends, Etc.
• Set Priorities
-List By Level Of Importance & Deadlines
• Let Things Go!
-Don’t Beat Yourself Over The Head
Work/Life Balance» Hardest Tip
Learn To Say…
No
Graham Bottrel
Director of Career & Transfer Services
Contact Information:
• 610-526-6047
• [email protected]