According to a survey of 1,600 women , 45% of women are forced to take badly paid, low-skilled jobs when they return to work after maternity leave because they feel there are no decent part-time jobs in the UK.
The report by think tank Resolution Foundation and Netmums says that British women are paying a high price for motherhood and face “one of the highest part-time penalties in Europe”.
If you feel that this is the reality you are or have been living since having children, the it’s time to take matters into your own hands, either:
1. Start a business where you dictate your earning power – join the Mothers Who Work Club today and learn everything you need to get your online business off the ground.
2. Use our job-hunting tips below to dig out those well-paid part-time jobs that we know really do exist.
Do you know the career you want?
Knowing what kind of personality you have and your interests gives you an idea of how you would like to spend your day in a job. Make a list of the kind of people you would like to be working with – is it people who like being told what to do or authoritative peope; is it loud people or quiet types. Would you like to work in an industry where there is a lot of socialising and travel, or in an industry where you are office based?
Look at job profiles, and see what is involved in that career – visit www.motherswhowork.co.uk/careerschange and see if you can use this time to get more qualifications in your chosen field to stand you in good stead of a well-paid job.
2. Look through the job descriptions and job specifications of jobs you are hoping to apply for today or in the future and see if you like the sound of them, if they pay enough, and if you have any gaps in your skills or experience. You can find these on job sites on the Internet, or at the job centre.
3. Speak to professionals who already do the job and ask for five minutes of their time for more insight into what they do. You can also contact college and university lecturers and ask them for some advice/insight.
Use the internet to search for jobs
The internet is a great place to start looking at potential companies you could work for. Be sure to check out the career development opportunities, their views on flexible working, maternity pay and leave (although these days most companies leave that on the company intranet so that only employees can access those details).
Use social media sites to get to know companies
LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com), for exampe lets you view company profiles, and have a look at emplyees within companies. Follow recruiting companies on twitter and search their tweets for your next job!
Whatever you do, don’t give up – there are good jobs out there. If you can’t find your perfect fit, maybe it’s time to try something different…
