Jobs and Moms

Back-to-Work, Back-to-School!

As many of you know, I am an enormous fan of "going back to school." When you go back to school you ensure that your skills are fresh, you expand your network of business associates, and you give a big boost to your resume. Particularly for Comeback Moms, having up-to-date education noted on your resume can make the critical difference between being viewed as an "also-ran" or a "hot commodity" when looking for a new job.

Please keep in mind that "going back to school" does not mean that you have to sign up for a full-fledged degree program (given that over half my private clients are MBA's, I'm assuming most of you don't want to enroll in yet another graduate program). Sometimes, all you need to refresh your resume is to enroll in a certificate program.

A certificate is a credential issued by an institution in recognition of the completion of a curriculum other than one leading to a degree. Certificate programs allow you to concentrate on pursuing a specific subject within a field of interest, thereby providing you with a tool-kit of expertise and enhanced employment opportunities without the cost or time commitment associated with a full- fledged degree program.

What types of certificate programs are out there? I did a quick review of programs in my neck-of-the-woods and came up with a wide array of options. Here is just a sampling:

Certificate Program in Early Childhood Development (16 credits including a practicum of actual work experience offered through Purchase College in NY)

Certificate in Arts Management (Purchase College- for professionals interested in management options with the Arts World).

Certificate in Appraisal of Investment Properties (NYU, School of Continuing Education)

Certificate in Online Course Creation and Instruction (NYU, 3 courses, does have some pre- requisites)

Here is how can you find a program that is just the right solution to your needs:

First, call all the schools that are within a commutable distance of your home and ask for their catalog (be sure to tell them you are intererested in certificate programs). Don't overlook community colleges -- they actually have some of the more innovative programs out there. If you are uncertain about which schools are around you, use Petersons.com (outstanding site) to do a search by location and area of interest.

Once you've identified some programs, call the school and make an appointment to meet with the head of that department. Find out if there any prerequisites to enrollment and ask questions about the career paths of recent graduates. Even though these programs are a relatively small investment compared to grad school, you don't want to waste your time or money.

Finally, don't delay. Now is the time to do your research if you're interested in enrolling in a program for the summer or this coming fall.

Flexible Scheduling: A Benefit Worth Keeping

An analysis of Fortune’s list of America’s 100 Best Companies to Work For conducted by Workforce Management notes an interesting trend: Even the most employee-friendly firms are trimming back benefits. In 2001, for example, 33 companies on the annual list paid 100 percent of employees’ health care premiums. Today, 14 do. Since last year, 27 companies on the list have cut what they pay in health care premiums. And the number of companies on the list offering a defined- benefit pension to new employees has dropped from 40 to 27 in three years.

But at the same time, more companies on the list are adapting inexpensive, employee-friendly ideas--like personal con­cierge services and flexible work policies. In 1999, just 18 companies on the list allowed telecommuting, compared with 79 today. Only 25 firms on the list in 1999 offered compressed workweeks, such as four 10-hour days with Fridays off. Today, 81 companies do. "

Such benefits do make a difference," Fortune writes, "and they’re a lot less expensive than health insurance."

Looking for a Family-Friendly Employer? Think Small!

For years, I've maintained that one of the best ways to find a flexible employer is to target small employers. A recent study (2005 National Study of Employers) conducted by the Families and Work Institute confirmed my observations. The study revealed that small businesses are helping to drive changes in the structure of work, offering employees more opportunities for workplace flexibility, while large employers are providing more benefits that have direct costs.

According to the study, small employers, defined as organizations with 50 to 99 employees, tend to offer their employees greater flexibility, such as flextime, returning to work gradually after childbirth or adoption, taking time off for education or training to improve skills or phasing into retirement. In fact, the study concluded that small employers are significantly more likely to offer flexibility to all or most employees than employers of other sizes.

Why is this true?

Small business owners have discovered that flexible scheduling is a relatively low cost benefit that helps them to recruit and retain top-level talent. While small companies can’t offer the same level of benefit offerings as their corporate counterparts (i.e. health insurance plans, 401k’s, etc.) they can offer more flexibility than their larger competitors.

The hiring manager is typically the owner of the company who can quickly make exceptions to policy and approve alternative scheduling arrangements. In big corporations, exceptions to policy must go through several layers of management (and lots of political maneuvering) to be approved.

Savvy small business owners are bottom-line oriented. They are quick to recognize the tremendous value offered by hiring top-level talent without the overhead of full-time salary and benefit costs.

Here are some tips for finding employment with small businesses:

1. Networking is critical to success. Speak with friends, alumni groups, volunteer contacts and business associates for leads.

2. Call your local Chamber of Commerce or small business advocacy group and ask if they have a membership directory for sale. These types of directories are an excellent tool for sourcing local businesses.

3. The local newspapers often feature stories about “up and coming” businesses. Go to the library and do some research about local companies.

4. Peruse the classifieds to see who is hiring. Even if a company doesn’t have a current opening in your field of expertise, use the information in the ad as a way to learn about small business employers in your area.

5. Contact venture capital firms to see if they are working with any emerging companies who might be interested in hiring you on a flexible basis.

For lots more advice, resources, and strategies for finding flexible work options, click here.

Flexible Jobs for Moms

If you've been running into a brick wall trying to find flexibility in a traditional corporate setting, now may be a good time to transition into a healthcare or educational work environment. With the increased demand for healthcare professionals and teachers, salaries and advancement potential are on the rise.

Please understand that I am not suggesting you go back to school and train to become a nurse, physical therapist or an elementary school teacher just because they are growth fields (unless you are so inclined). However, I do recommend that you look at job openings in hospitals, universities and public/private schools where flexible scheduling tends to be much more widely practiced than in the corporate sector. These institutions need people in management, development, human resources, accounting, finance and other support roles to function efficiently.

While salaries in these settings tend to be lower than in the corporate arena, the benefits packages offered by educational and health institutions can sometimes be quite lucrative. Perks offered by private schools or universities (such as tuition reduction for dependents) can make a real difference in the value of your compensation package.

FYI, some states offer very strong financial incentives for teacher training. According to an August 18, 2006 article in Careerjournal.com, "So far this year, 18 states, including Illinois, Connecticut, Virginia and Kansas, have passed measures encouraging teaching, according to the Education Commission of the States, which tracks education policy for state governments. The initiatives ranged from luring teachers out of retirement to offering scholarships to programs that forgive education loans."

Want to learn more about flexible work options? Check out our updated report, FlexJobs: Your Work, Your Life, Your Way!

Looking for Work at Home Ideas?

Whenever I work with clients who are interested in starting their own business, I always advise them to spend some time browsing through the dozens of excellent books available on this subject. Without a doubt, one of my favorite resources on this subject are the Fab Job Guides -- in-depth guides to a wide variety of career options ranging from How to Be an Event Planner to How to Be a Celebrity Assistant to How to Become a Management Consultant. You can download them instantly and save yourself hours of research time. Click here for more information about these guides.

I Don't Know What I Want to Do!

When I was in college earning my masters in career development, I was required to take a full-semester course on career assessments. But in spite of this investment in my assessment education, I typically use assessments quite sparingly when working with my clients.

While I think assessments (a.k.a. career tests) can be quite enlightening for people who have limited work experience or who are looking for general career direction, my clients seem to experience more success when we use a wide variety of assessment techniques beyond the basic tests. Let me share with you four activities I recommend to clients who are searching for new career directions:

1) Make a list what you love to do and do best: All of us have a multitude of abilities. But, simply knowing what you are capable of doing isn't enough. The key to finding lasting career satisfaction is to not only know what you do well - but to know what you enjoy doing and do well. Once you have a better understanding of your motivating skills and interests, it will be much easier to assess the "fit" of potential careers and entrepreneurial opportunities.

2) Peruse the college catalogs: Even if you have no intention of returning to school, it's amazing what you can discover about your interests and options by reading through a variety of college catalogs. You'll learn about emerging growth industries and uncover new paths for career opportunities within your industry or area of expertise.

3) Invest in adult education: Consider enrolling in a continuing education class at your local community college or high school. This is an inexpensive, low-risk way to test out your interest in a new endeavor. While taking the class, talk with your teacher and other students to find out their thoughts on employment options, degree programs and growth opportunities within that industry. Then, if after taking a few non-credit classes you decide you're ready to get the needed credentials for success, investigate the possibility of enrolling in a degree or certificate program at an accredited college or online program. Most programs offer weekend or evening classes to accommodate older students.

4) Volunteer: Offering your services on a volunteer basis is a great way to test out your skills in a new line of work. For example, if you want to learn more about finance, you could volunteer as the treasurer for a fund-raising event at your church or synagogue. Or, you could sign-up to help prepare the budget for your favorite local non-profit agency. A good volunteer job can be time consuming, but it's a great way to test out your interest in a potential career.

Interested in getting 1-1 help with your career transition? Click here for more information.

Best Jobs for Moms Returning to Work

Money Magazine, in conjunction with Salary.com recently compiled a list of the top twenty jobs for moms returning to work. They rated their picks according to four criteria: compensation, projected job growth, family-friendly and opportunities for flexibility.

Among their recommendations are the following jobs:

1. Executive Recruiter

2. Nonprofit Manager

3. Sales Representative

4. Market Analyst

5. Accountant

Based upon my experience with my coaching clients, I found their list to be quite accurate. All of their choices offer reasonable compensation, opportunities for long-term growth and the potential for a flexible work schedule. You can read the full story by clicking here.

Advice for our Children

I was moved by an article Lisa Belkin wrote for this past Sunday's NY Times titled, Sharing Practical Truths, in Child-Size Measures in which she asserts that when it comes to work-life choices, we are telling our children only half the truth.

Belkin writes, "When we talk to our children about sex, about alcohol and drugs, or about the dangers of the Internet, we give them limitations and warnings. But when it comes to the subject of work, we tell them that they can be whatever they aspire to be; that they should aim high, work hard and dream big. What we rarely do is tell them how hard some days are. Or that along the road, they might have to compromise, or detour, or backtrack. To warn them would be to discourage them. Or so our thinking goes."

What do you think? I'd love to hear your words of advice for the next generation about work-life balance. If you had to do it over again, what would you have done differently about your work-life choices? Let's get a discussion going on this topic!

Home Based Business Guides

There was such a strong response to the piece I ran in the last newsletter about the links to the downloadable home-based business guides we now have posted on Jobsandmoms.com, that I wanted to share another excellent resource to help turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality.

If you're looking for "soup to nuts" instructions on how to get a business up and running, you should check out the topic specific guides compiled by Entrepreneur Magazine. They have guides to starting over 25 businesses -- ranging from Senior Care Services to Event Planning to Executive Recruiting Services (among many others). Click here for more information.

By Moms -- For Moms

One of the joys of my work is meeting other mom entrepreneurs and I always enjoy sharing some of the inspirational websites/services I've learned about through my contacts. Please be sure to visit these sites, established "by moms - for moms."

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