Careers Finding a Job Tips for Stay-at-Home Mom & Dads Who Want to Go Back to Work Print Finding a Job Job Searching Skills & Keywords Resumes Salary & Benefits Letters & Emails Job Listings Job Interviews Cover Letters Career Advice Best Jobs Work-From-Home Jobs Internships By Alison Doyle Updated on 12/17/19 Are you a stay-at-home mom (SAHM) - or dad - considering returning to the workforce? Here are tips to help you decide whether to continue to stay home, return to your job, or to start looking for a new one. If you’re going back to work, you’ll find advice for smoothly transitioning from a maternity or paternity leave to the office. There are also job search tips which will help you become a competitive candidate, tips for what to do with your resume when you have spent time at home with your family, and a variety of different employer options to consider. Should You Quit Your Job While On Maternity Leave? Image Source / Getty Images Deciding whether to go back to work after you've had a baby can be a tough decision to make if you can afford to stay home. If being a stay-at-home mom is an option for you, the timing is also important to consider. Review information on how to determine if you should quit, tips on timing your resignation, and advice on how to quit, if you decide to, without burning any bridges. Tips for Returning To Work After Maternity Leave When you have made the decision to return to work after your maternity leave, it’s important to carefully plan your transition back to the office so you can avoid as much stress as possible. It can be a tough adjustment, but these tips will help prepare you to return to the workforce. How to Ask to Work From Home Working from home, at least some of the time, could be a viable option as a way to stay with your current employer. Here are tips for exploring work from home options, including how to explore flexible work options, company policy, setting it up on a trial basis, and how to ask your boss if working from home would be a possibility. Check Out Job Options Some jobs are better than others for moms (and dads) who want a flexible job where they can work from home. A remote job allows working parents to still spend quality time with their kids, while building their resume, having connections to network with, as well as earning money. How to Tell if a Job is Family Friendly When you're returning to the workplace, it's important to know that you'll be able to juggle work and your family.From reviewing a job advertisement through negotiating an offer, here are tips on what to ask, observe, and research to discover if a company is family-friendly. Job Search Tips for Stay-at-Home Moms Once you have made a decision to explore the job market and consider new opportunities, it’s important to take the time to prepare for a job search. How can SAHMs show off their talents, refresh their resumes and cover letters, get back in a networking groove, and get to the top of the interview list? Read on for tips to help you get back in the job search game. Resume Tips for Stay-at-Home Moms If you’ve been a stay-at-home mom for a while, your resume will need updating. Keep in mind that you can include more on it than just paid employment, and you can use some of that other experience to fill in the gaps you may have on your resume. Review these tips to make your experience look current, highlight the skills you've developed during your time away from the office, and develop an interview-winning resume. 3 Ways to Find a Work-From-Home Job Being able to work from home is high on the list of almost everyone’s ideal jobs. It’s important to keep in mind that if you’re a stay-at-home mom who is working from home you’ll still have to figure out the hours you can work, child care and availability for your employer. However, you will be able to save a lot of time and energy if you don’t have to head to an office every day. Here are several solid options for making your work-at-home career blossom. How to Find Freelance Work When you’re not ready to commit to full-time employment, freelancing can be a way to earn extra money while you’re at home with your children. You can set your own schedule, work as much - or as little - as you’d like. You can also start off slow, and increase your workload as you figure out a good schedule for yourself and your family. 5 Ways to Find an Hourly Job Even though it’s not as flexible as freelancing, working at an hourly job can be a way to earn a paycheck while minimizing the commitment that might be required for a full-time salaried position. With many employers you can work either a flexible or a set schedule based on your needs. You can opt to work full-time or part-time, and many hourly jobs even pay more than salaried jobs. Some even have benefits like health insurance. Here's where to look for an hourly job. 8 Ways to Earn More Money It’s always a good idea to explore a variety of options for making money. That’s especially true when you’re juggling work and a family. In some cases, you may be able to make a lot more. In others, you can make enough extra to help pay the bills. Here are tips for making more money including work at a side job, working freelance, working from home, doing some microjobs, and turning your hobby into a paycheck.