Valuable Guidelines For Returning To Work During A Recession

Taking a career break in the middle of a recession is probably not the best idea, but sometimes we are forced to do so, especially when we are expecting a new arrival. Household budgets are difficult to balance at the best of times and the thought of being a full-time mum can be attractive, but hardly realistic. Whenever we're ready to get back into the job market we need to look for ways to catch up economically.

With unemployment rates so high, the labour market can seem to be an even more daunting proposition than usual. This is not the time to falter though and it is important to prepare your negotiation skills and boost your self-confidence, ready for battle. Sit down and look at your financial position carefully, computing your needs for the months and years ahead of you. While you must always be reasonable, cut out anything that you don't really need. You should be very clear about your financial requirements, the absolute minimums and the ideal scenarios.

While you may have been quite happy with your career prior to the break, this is an opportunity for you to really evaluate whether you want to go back into that line of business, or whether you want to explore something new. Should you start your own business? Does your financial analysis tell you that you can expect to have fair returns from self-employment, while still making ends meet and if so you may be presented with an exciting and flexible concept for your new life. This may well be the time to consider professional coaching as these are some very significant and potentially very impactful decisions. Thankfully, coaching for women in your situation can definitely help you to determine what to do.

Always be very positive and never negative. Focus on all your strengths, which you should write out on paper and keep on your desk at all times. Focus on your psyche and project yourself well in all your phone calls, e-mails or conversations.

When looking at a particular position, always consider jobs that may be beneath, but would naturally form part of a career progression in this field. In this case you may well be over-qualified, but it is a stepping stone closer to where you want to go and if you over-deliver at what you are doing you will become eligible and soon achieve the position that you really want.

Even in this tough hiring environment, those people who really stand out, help and over-perform will still get ahead of the unfortunate majority who do not. If you remember that it is in your mindset to succeed, then you will.

Call on all the inner strength that you know you have as you will certainly need it. It is easy to get disenchanted by the negative news we hear about the economy and jobs every day and while you might begin to think that the task is very difficult, don't think that it is a hill too steep. Remember to take the journey one step at a time, being fully confident of your ability and your readiness for a particular position before you start to contact the employer. Before you make a phone call, stand up and take a deep breath. A slumping posture, or a sagging mindset will not help. Always smile as you talk on the phone as well.

These days, online life coaching can provide you with the boost you require when you need it, especially in those periods of negativity. You can definitely do this!

Amanda Alexander is Director of Coaching Mums and a highly acclaimed ICF-accredited coach who delivers professional coaching programmes to working mums who yearn for success, balance and fulfilment. Are you a juggling mom? Download our free eBook for working moms that will give you 5 simple and instant ways to balance your life right now!