5 Steps Smart Moms Use to Get a Better Job + More Money
If you're a smart mom, you hate working in that dead-end job even though you appreciate the stability. Every career mom knows how it works: you've been working 40+hours a week for years and yet there's never really been a chance for you to take on more responsibility or increase your income in any significant way.
You know it's time to make a change, but finding a new job seems almost impossible. Or maybe you're tired of being a slave to your employer, but you're afraid that you would have to work more hours or sacrifice time with your family. You want to be better informed, but don't know where to start.
As a career coach, mom, and Fortune 500 executive I’ve done all the hard work, so why not benefit from my experience?
Step 1: Identify your ideal job
In this step, you'll decide what's most important to you in a career. What are your goals for your career? What do you want to be doing in one year, or five years?
For example, do you want to make more money? Do you want to advance in your current field or move into a different industry? Do you want to work fewer hours? Do you want the flexibility to travel with your family? Whatever it is, write it down. You can’t go after your goals if you’re not clear on what they are first.
It’s important to not just apply for any job that's out there, because before you know it, you'll be back where you started -- stuck in a dead end job with no time for your family. Do some soul searching and figure out what kind of career will truly make you happy.
What kind of schedule will allow you to spend time with your kids? What kind of company culture will mesh with your values? Make a list of everything that matters most to you as well as a wish list of skills, tools or benefits you'd like to have in your future role.
Step 2: Identify the key skills needed for your ideal job.
What are the skills that are required for the type of career you want? For example, if you want a job with better pay, identify some job titles that are appealing to you and look at job descriptions to find the skills that will help you make more money. If you want a job where you are managing a team, identify skills that will help you grow as a leader. Write those down as well.
Be specific. Don’t just write “communication”. What does good communication mean to you? Listening? Being clear? Being able to explain things?
Take a look at the skills you identified for your ideal job. Are there any that you already have? Write down next to each skill whether you already have it or not.
Step 3: Identify gaps between current job and ideal job.
Once you have a good idea of the skills you’ll need for your desired career, the next step is to take an honest look at your own skill set, so you can identify any gaps. You can do this by writing a list of all your skills, both professional and personal, as well as your qualifications. You can also add in any examples of where you’ve used these skills in previous roles or outside of work.
How do your skills stack up against the ones that will land you the dream job? Create a table to help you visualize where you are now, where you need to be, and what it will take to get there.
Now that we know what we're looking for, we need to figure out what's stopping us from getting there. Write down the differences between where we are now and where we'd like to.
Step 4: Get training and take on assignments to fill those gaps.
Get training, whether that means through a program or taking on assignments that will help fill those gaps in your skill set. Remember, it's always better to learn by doing than by classes! You don't want to get hung up on the need to complete “just one more training” before you take the leap into your new role.
If your company won't give you the training you need, look for other opportunities for learning. Volunteer for a special project at work if it will help you gain experience in one of your target skills. If one assignment isn't enough, look for more.
And Finally … Step 5: Transition into a new career without sacrificing family time
Taking a new job is scary! You're going to have to change your routine, and you want to make sure it's the right decision for you. Here are five easy steps smart moms use to get from their old job to their new career without sacrificing income or family time.
Start planning your exit up to 6 months before you want to leave
Keep your resume up to date and make sure to add the new skills and experiences you’re achieving
Begin doing informal networking and let people know you’re looking for a new job
Search for the job you want and ask tough questions about how they will support your goals
Transition into a new career and reap the rewards!
Takeaway: You can choose to be proactive about your career and have control over your future.
There are many reasons women stay in dead-end jobs: the money, their family responsibilities, lack of confidence, fear of change. The truth is, career advancement isn’t something that’s going to just happen for you. Rather than waiting, smart moms take their careers into their own hands and move forward on their own timetable.
Don't be afraid to apply for that position you're not particularly qualified for just because you don't have the experience, for example. Instead, look for opportunities that will allow you to use your talents and build new skills.
Take these proven steps to leave your dead end job and join the ranks of career moms who are living the good life and loving their success.
Still getting stuck? Check out my free resource on the most common job-search pitfalls and what to do about them.
