Family Friendly Work: The Return-to-Work Interview

If you are a stay-at-home parent looking to return to the outside workforce, you know you have a difficult road ahead of you. A big challenge in the process is talking about your time at home in the job interview. During my HR career, I have interviewed many parents trying to re-enter the workforce and I can tell you, how you talk about your time at home is extremely important to your success in getting a job.

In general, most companies seek employees who are smart, responsible and conscientious about their work. You must make an effort in the interview process to demonstrate these qualities. To succeed in the return-to-work interview, you must:

· Be prepared to explain why you decided to leave the workforce and stay at home. If your decision is what you felt was best for your family, then state that! However, be careful that you don’t say something that causes the employer to question your abilities. For example, don’t share that you were over stressed and couldn’t manage your time while working. The interviewer will question your ability to manage work and family now.
· Talk about things you did while at home that kept your skills sharp. Your volunteer work, online selling or networking with other professionals will show that you are a viable candidate for the job.
· Express clearly why you want to return to the work at this point and why you are the perfect candidate for the job at hand. This is not the time to share that your family is short on cash and you are returning to work against your better judgment. Convince the employer that you are ready to move forward with your career and that you are excited about the opportunity.

Taking some time to prepare for the interview will pay-off in the job search. The more comfortable you feel talking about your time at home, the more confidence a potential employer will have in you as a candidate.