How to return to work in a flexible, family-friendly role after a career break

After having children, it is highly likely that aspects of your career will have to change. Fortunately, the pandemic has improved the flexible working landscape, in particular for parents with multiple children.

Flexible working is about the design of a job and how you work in terms of output and deliverables; not the amount of time you work or where. Part-time, hybrid, condensed hours are forms of flexible working, but only in terms of contracted hours and when and where you work.

Women often think they are on a back footing if not already in a role before asking for flexible terms; but that is not true. When applying for a job, try to understand where the company lies on the family-friendly scale. It’s okay to be upfront and ask ‘What’s your flexible working policy? I’m interested in joining your business’.

When it's advertised as full-time

I often get asked if it’s worth applying for a full-time role when you only want part-time. ‘Yes’ is always my answer. But my overriding advice is let employers get to know, like and trust you and your values FIRST. Get them to see they need and want you and then bring it up in the second interview. Don’t presume you need to leave mentioning it until the end – read the room and feel your way.

If employers are receptive to discussing flexible working, you need to be prepared and have worked out what that would look like for you. What’s the dream? What do you need? Build out what that looks like and then negotiate. It’s essential to consider the needs of all stakeholders; get buy-in and understand their motivations and fears and how you’d mitigate them.

What to put on your CV

Another question I’m often asked is whether to list ‘career break’ on a CV. I advise ‘yes’, as you haven’t been on a break; you’ve learnt and developed a phenomenal number of skills. There are an estimated 13 million working parents in the UK (June 2021 - workingfamilies.org.uk) and this is being recognised. On Linked In, there is an option to put ‘Parent’ in your work history, so being a parent is a huge advantage when showcasing yourself to prospective employers.

Currently, there are more employers than candidates in the UK, so it’s a career break mum’s market! There are also many recruitment agencies specialising in family friendly roles, so remember, just because you’re a mum who has taken time out to care for your young family, it doesn’t mean that you’ve lost your skills, strengths, attitude or enthusiasm for doing a good job. Employers value parents; your career is critical to their success.

To help you on your way, I've collated a list of 10 websites for finding flexible and family-friendly working.