Reentering The Workforce on Shine

Are you ready to go back to work? Take this quiz and find out!

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By Vivian Steir Rabin

With kids back in school, this is the time of year that many mothers think about going back to work, or “relaunching” their careers as we call it; this year perhaps more than ever before. Although the job market is tight, we’ve heard from relaunchers all over the country who have found (or created) opportunities in this market, despite the difficult economy. I’ve been wondering . . . what distinguishes these women from other stay-at-home moms seeking to return to work? Are they extremely brilliant or well-connected? Although some of the women we’ve heard from do fall into these categories, the majority are regular folks whose qualifications are not particularly extraordinary. But they all shared one important trait:

Hitting the Big Five-O

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Yes, I know the two things a woman is not supposed to reveal are her age or her weight, but I think we’ve been too defensive, especially about age. I just hit the Big Five-oh! and thank God I’m reveling in it. In 1971, when Loving Care came out with “You’re not getting older, you’re getting better,” I couldn’t relate. But now, I couldn’t agree more. So don’t feel your marketability has plummeted just because you’ve hit the Big One. You can make it work for you, or at least keep it from working against you, if you follow these steps.

Should I take a job that's less than what I'm seeking?

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I’m getting the same question a lot lately from friends and acquaintances who are on the job market, either because they recently lost their jobs or because they’re seeking to reenter the workforce because their husbands lost their jobs or are otherwise feeling vulnerable. The question is: should I take a job that is “beneath” me or only a short term assignment, or should I hold out for that one perfect permanent job I was looking for?

Now, more than ever, my answer is an almost unqualified “grab whatever you can.” And here’s why.

Networking 101 for relaunchers

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Relaunchers Networking at Washington, D.C. Career Relaunch Forum

It’s common knowledge that most people get their jobs through someone they know. What’s less well-known is that most people get their jobs through someone they do not know very well. That’s because if someone within your inner circle had a job to offer you, they would have already done so. Unless your best friend or your brother-in-law can give you a job, you’ve got to get outside your circle of close friends and family to find out about potential opportunities. Here’s how to network effectively: