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Moms at Work
Is Returning to Work Right for You?
By Mary Dixon Weidler
Your skills may be topnotch, but obsolete. "I used to know all the computer programs involved with my work," says Shana Hitchcock, a Philadelphia, Pa., loan servicer. "But after taking five years off to raise my daughter, I learned it was a whole new world. The employers were talking Microsoft and scanners, while I was still thinking WordStar and punch cards. I found it essential that I get up to speed before I could compete for a job."
By studying the ads in your field of interest, you will soon learn the "premium skills" – the ones that all employers are looking for. If you have them, make sure they're up to speed. If you don't, consider taking a class or two before starting a work search.
"A friend of mine wanted to return to the workforce, but needed to change careers because her previous job as a retail manager didn't work with her family's needs," says Hitchcock. "While I was taking refresher courses and making up for lost time, she found out what was essential to her career goal, then took courses in those areas."
One word of warning about school: Make sure that there is a demand for your occupation of choice before investing time in schooling. After all, there's nothing more frustrating than to spend months in a classroom learning something, only to graduate and learn that the field is currently flooded. Your state Department of Labor is a good resource to use when determining which fields are "up and coming" – and which are a waste of time.
When you're performing your skills inventory, remember to emphasize the skills that fit in with the work you're looking for. If you want an office job, for example, there's no need to mention your experience waitressing or driving a truck. Relevance is key, so focus on your goal and weigh your skills against it.
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