Kids needn’t get in the way of your career goals. While being a parent can make it more challenging to do specific jobs, there are often still ways into certain industries if you are dedicated enough. For those who have been considering a change of career, here are some tips on how to kickstart a new career with kids.
Consider taking a course.
Breaking into a new industry may require new qualifications. Nowadays, there are many flexible courses that you can study in your own time from home – these are excellent options if you have kids. Some colleges even offer grants for parents to cover childcare. Taking a course could be worthwhile if you are on long-term parental leave and not currently working another job. On top of full courses, it is worth noting that there are many short courses lasting a few months or weeks that could help you achieve qualifications more quickly.
Research into flexible roles
Having a job that you can fit around your parental duties is essential. There are many flexible working jobs out there that can allow you to work remotely or choose your own hours. Such jobs could be worked during school hours or when children are asleep in order to reduce reliance on childcare. Not having to commute to work can allow you to spend more time with your family. Of course, not all jobs can be worked flexibly. However, most industries have roles that do allow a certain degree of flexibility – whether it’s being able to pick your own hours or work from home on certain days.
Be upfront about your needs.
Some people don’t mention that they have kids when applying for jobs. However, when it comes to negotiating certain hours or higher pay, it can actually benefit you to say that you are a parent. Some employers may even be more likely to hire you for specific roles if you have kids – being a parent can show a level of responsibility, patience and maturity. There are some jobs where being a parent may not be seen as an asset due to perhaps having to work unpredictable last-minute hours – however, an employer cannot choose to hire you just because you have kids, as this is discrimination.
Secure childcare in advance
When applying for jobs, it’s essential to consider any childcare arrangements that may be necessary. Talk to any friends and family in advance to find out their availability and whether they are willing to provide childcare on an ongoing basis. This could include talking to your partner to see if you can both share parental duties. Being able to rely on friends or family to provide childcare could save you a lot of money compared to hiring childcare services. If you do need to rely on professional childcare, make sure to shop around for pricing and look for a daycare nursery or childminder who you trust.
Don’t sacrifice self-care
Juggling motherhood and a career is not easy. You could find yourself sacrificing a lot of your free time. It’s essential that you still allow time to relax, socialise and engage in personal interests/hobbies. It’s also important not to sacrifice sleep – one of the biggest dangers of working while the kids are sleeping is that you may not get much sleep yourself. Practise self-care for the sake of your physical and mental health.
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