Job Search Tips For Working ParentsHarcum College

Office of Career & Transfer Services

Today’s Workshop Will Address:

• Job Search Strategies• Striving For Work/Life Balance• Flex Work Arrangements• Jobs That Offer Flexibility• Telecommuting Career Options

Job Search Strategies

Networking

Change Careers

Update ResumeVolunteer

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

• 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 Online-

Based

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 BottrelDirector of Career & Transfer Services

Contact Information:• 610-526-6047• gbottrel@harcum.edu