Balancing a family life and a work life is never easy. The key for many moms is to find a “flexible” job. Options for flexible work include working part time, telecommuting, starting a business, consulting/freelancing, or working full time with flexible hours.
One of these options may be able to provide you with the flexibility you need to “have it all”: both a fulfilling career — and plenty of time to spend with your family.
Becoming a Part-Time Professional
For many moms, working part time is the ideal short-term or long-range work-life set up. By working part time, you “stay in the game” and keep your skills and resume current. According to a 2007 Pew Research Survey, sixty percent of the women surveyed preferred the option of working part time versus working full time or not working at all.
While it is generally easier to negotiate a part-time job at your current place of employment, many companies nationwide are now hiring part-time professionals from the upstart. If you are already employed, consider preparing a proposal to ask your employer to let you reduce your hours. (Keep in mind that your benefits may be reduced or eliminated.)
If you are looking for a part-time job, check the major job Web sites and the career development sections of industry association Web sites. There are also a growing number of flexible and part-time job searching sites. Be sure to focus on networking, too, because most professional part-time positions tend be found via networking.
Telecommuting Opportunities are on the Rise
Internet technology has enabled millions of people to work from home or another location — a trend that will likely continue to skyrocket into the future. For a working parent, telecommuting can be an ideal set up. You can work from home, avoid commuting in snarling traffic, and have more time with your family.
Chances are you will still need childcare to be able to concentrate on your work, but, depending on your job, you may be able to work while your child naps or plays next to you. (Or, you may need in-house childcare or need to take your child to a daycare center.) If your child is in school, then you may be able to set up a job working during school hours.
Again, as with part-time work, it is generally easier to negotiate a telecommuting job if you are already employed and working on site for a company. On the other hand, a growing number of companies are hiring telecommuters directly.
Employers benefit from hiring telecommuters because they can hire employees with the expertise that they need, while saving on costs for real estate, equipment, etc.
Entrepreneurial Dreams? Start a Business
Many parents set up and operate home-based businesses. Business ideas can include everything from running a home-based daycare to a commercial Web site to becoming an eBay affiliate. Advantages of working at home include more time with your family, greater independence, and the end of office politics (hurrah!). The downside is the risk — nearly half of all businesses fail within five years, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Business owners give up a steady income and benefits. But, on the other hand, millions of parents run successful home-based businesses. Others start businesses outside of the home. (To find out more, to the SBA Web site: www.sba.gov.)
“Free Bird” Careers: Consulting/Freelancing
Whether by choice or circumstance, some 8.5 million people work as independent consultants or freelancers, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Consulting careers can be a perfect work-life solution for some working moms. In this type of set up, you determine your own schedule.
Jobs that fall under this broad category include: consultant, independent contractor, freelancer, temporary worker and substitute teacher. Consultants peddle their expertise and tend to be run as home businesses. Independent contractors and freelancers work on a job-to-job basis. Typical independent contractor and freelance careers include writers, programmers, designers, etc. — in other words, jobs that can be easily done on an independent basis.
Temp jobs are no longer limited to traditional administrative/secretarial work; there are also temp opportunities and agencies specializing in everything from law to graphic art to computer/IT. There are even temp CEO positions.
Substitute teachers are also temps — subbing can be a very appealing job for moms who want to work during their children’s school hours.
The advantage of these jobs is the control of your own schedule. On the flip side, you may need to constantly hustle for new business and/or endure dry spells when you will not get any work. Your income may be unpredictable, but then again, you are free to set your own schedule.
Working Full Time with Flexible Hours
Companies nationwide are becoming increasingly amenable to hiring and retaining workers by providing benefits that include flexible scheduling. Some companies allow employees to set their own work hours, for example, enabling a mom to start her job very early in the morning and get home in time to pick up her children from school. Other companies set up compressed workweeks, for example, allowing employees to work four 10-hour days per week.
During the summer months, some companies allow employees to reduce their hours or work part time. Others have set up summer and holiday camps and programs for their employee’s dependents.
Finding Your Own Ideal Work-Life Set Up
Depending on your occupation and company, you can choose one of the above or even set up a combination of flexible options, for example, working full time while telecommuting one to three days per week.
Keep in mind that despite the current downturn in the nation’s economy, prospects continue to grow for working on a flexible basis. Companies are instituting flexible work options not only for ethical reasons, but because a huge shortage of professional workers is anticipated in the next several years as America’s massive Baby Boomer (those born from 1946-64) population starts to retire. Employers will likely need to continue to offer flexible work options to attract the talent needed to fill those vacancies.
If you are not sure if your company will be amenable to letting you work on a part-time, telecommuting, or full-time flexible schedule, ask — you will never find out if it is possible unless you give it a try. Finding a job with an ideal work-life balance is the key most working moms need to have a professionally and personally satisfying lifestyle.
Copyright(c) 2009 Sharon Reed Abboud. Author Sharon Reed Abboud specializes in writing about careers and higher education. She is the author of the book: “All Moms Work, Short-Term Career Strategies for Long-Range Success” (Capital Books);www.allmomswork.com