Job hunting is just different when you have a family to support.
When you’re younger and without children, you might be looking for a company with fun benefits, like daily happy hours and a ping pong table in the breakroom, or lots of vacation time to travel the world.
When you have children, you probably still want all of those fun benefits, but looking for a company with family benefits is top priority. Maybe you’re looking for a flexible schedule to take your kids to and from activities or a comprehensive health insurance plan with vision and dental included.
Balancing family life with job hunting can feel like walking a tightrope, especially if you’re reentering the workforce or considering a career change.
Anderson Trucking Service is a family-owned and operated company. We take family very seriously here, and we know you do too. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you when you’re job hunting as a parent.
With the right strategies and a bit of support, you can find a job that aligns with both your professional goals and your family needs.
5 Tips for Reentering the Workforce
Whether you’re looking to switch jobs or you’ve been out of the workforce for a while taking care of your family, these tips will help you find something that feels right for you and your family.
1. Set Clear Goals
Whenever you’re looking for a job, it’s important to make a list of your goals or things you do and don’t want out of a position. A pros and cons list works too. Prioritize your needs to focus your job search on opportunities that best align with your family's requirements.
If you’ve been out of the workforce for some time, think back to the parts of previous jobs you loved most. How can you find another role that matches that?
Define what you're looking for in a job, including salary, work hours, commute time, and company culture.
Related: Here’s how to determine if a company is a good culture fit
2. Update Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile
How long has it been since you’ve updated your resume or even opened up LinkedIn? For the last few years, you’ve probably been too busy changing diapers and trying to squeeze in as much sleep as possible. The thought of looking at your resume probably hasn’t crossed your mind when you’re too busy soaking up as much time with your littles as possible.
But now it’s time to do more than glance at it again.
For starters, make sure the information on your resume is still accurate and relevant. Highlight your skills, experience, and any volunteer work or courses you’ve completed since you last looked at your resume.
Then, make sure this information translates well to LinkedIn. Update your profile photo with a current photo and use the #opentowork filter to attract potential employers. Clean up your biography or add to it if you don’t have one. These LinkedIn tips will help you get started.
From there, you can begin to search for jobs. Follow the companies you’re interested in and any key stakeholders at the company.
When explaining gaps in your resume, be straightforward without oversharing personal details. A simple explanation like, "I took time off to focus on my family and am now eager to return to work," can suffice.
3. Leverage Your Network
If you haven’t been on the job hunt for a while, you may not have a clue what’s out there. Which companies should you avoid? Which ones are offering great opportunities right now?
Reach out to family and friends for job leads and advice. They can offer valuable insights into their industries, help you understand current job market trends, and even provide references.
4. Research Potential Employers
It’s important to research companies before you apply. Look for companies that offer family-friendly benefits and have a culture that supports work-life balance. A company’s values and mission say a lot about how they feel about family life.
Increasingly, companies are creating materials like blogs and videos to help you learn more about the positions they’re offering. Use online resources, company websites, and employee reviews to gather more information about the company.
Related: How to read reviews
5. Brush Up on Your Interview Skills
If it’s been a while since your last job interview, take the time to practice your interviewing skills. Maybe you’ve been out of the office for a few years or the last time you interviewed for a job you didn’t have children; your needs have changed. The job market changes and what may have been normal and acceptable while interviewing a decade ago has likely changed.
Consider common interview questions and rehearse your answers, focusing on how your skills and experiences make you a great fit for the role.
Don’t forget, this is a two-way process. You’re interviewing the company just as much as they’re interviewing you. You need to ensure they’re a good fit before you pursue an opportunity with them.
When you’re asking and answering questions, it’s important to remember that oversharing can create unintentional bias. As humans, we have a tendency to overshare or feel the need to over-explain things. In doing so, however, you can create biases against yourself.
For example, if you tell an employer that you have a family of four, they may see you as a committed, loyal individual who will bring those same family-oriented skills to the workplace. Or, they may view you as an individual who will have to be out of the office frequently to take care of your children.
To avoid biases, employers aren’t allowed to ask certain questions, including those about age, family, race, and health. They most certainly can’t ask if you’re expecting or planning a family (and you don’t have to disclose it either).
Related: Interviewing while pregnant
While it’s illegal to discriminate and base a hiring decision on personal details, there’s no doubt that these unintentional biases still occur.
Does that mean you should lie about having a family when interviewing? Certainly not! But it is something to keep in mind.
Questions to Ask During an Interview
When you land an interview, it’s crucial to ask questions that will help you assess whether the job and the company are a good fit for you.
Again, remember that oversharing can lead to unintentional biases. When asking questions about family support, think about how you ask the questions. Here’s an example:
Option A: My children are frequently sick and I have to take them to the doctor a lot. Are you flexible with this?
Option B: What would my work schedule look like if I was offered the role? Do you offer paid sick time and vacation time?
In Option A, you clearly state you have children. In Option B, it’s unclear; it just comes off as a general question. Both questions would result in the same answer, however.
These questions will help you understand how you’ll be supported as a working parent (without directly saying you’re a working parent):
- What is the typical work schedule?
- Does the company offer remote work options?
- What are the expectations for availability outside of regular work hours?
- How does the company handle work-related travel or overtime?
- What benefits are available (e.g., health insurance, leave, 401K)?
- What is the company’s policy on paid time off (PTO) and sick leave?
- How soon do benefits start after joining?
- How does the company support work-life balance for its employees?
- Can you describe the company’s values and how they support employees in times of need?
These questions will help you understand how much of your time is required during the day and when you’re off the clock, what policies are in place to support you as a parent, and what benefits are offered to help support your family.
Acing Your Interviews and Returning to the Workforce
Job hunting with a family comes with its unique set of challenges, but with careful planning, research, and support, you can find a job that aligns with both your career goals and family needs.
Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. Leverage your network, stay positive, and ask the right questions to find the best fit for you and your family.
Ready to crush all your interviews? These 13 tips will help you shine in every interview like the great candidate we know you are.
Happy job hunting!
