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The "Returning To Work" Seminar Held by Subaru Melbourne on Sunday 20 June 2010 was again hugely popular and well attended. Jackie again organised and facilitated the day with a great line up of speakers who addressed the 300 strong audience about the value of mums in the workforce.
This line-up included Carl Harman – Academy Dean, Leadership & Talent, NAB; Willem Pruys, GM HR with Bunnings and Michael Sommerton – Director, Human Resources, Inchcape Australia. Karen Hook from Holmesglen TAFE also gave some great insights into the education available to reskill.
  
Testimonial from a seminar attendee
" Dear Jackie, I attended yesterday's seminar and wanted to get in contact with you personally to say thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with Mum's like myself who are searching for insight, to not only get back into the work force, but also define what we really want to do.
All the speakers yesterday, including yourself gave me plenty of food for thought. I am still digesting all the information.
After having four children myself, before yesterday I was seriously doubting I would find a path which could possibly lead to a healthy life/work balance.
Before yesterday I felt at best, I could do some cleaning work to bring in some extra money. With my youngest on the cusp of turning 3 I thought it was still going to be a few years before I could pursue anything that remotely came close to a career and that I may never find a career again that I am truly passionate about. Thank you again for doing a fantastic job facilitating yesterday's seminar."
The Q and A session was a highlight and we have summarised many of the questions from the floor below.”
1. A cover letter seems to be key to obtain an interview. What should a cover letter contain?
The cover letter should be tailored to suit the role that you are applying for. It needs to be easy to read; no spelling errors and have key words in it that relate to the role applied for.The cover letter is where you show any potential employers that you have done your homework regarding their organisation and your suitability for the role. There is no point having a generic letter that you send out to all of the jobs that you would like to do. It is far better to have a framework into which you can insert job specific points and address any key selection criteria that may have been specified in the advertisement.
The cover letter can also be the place to outline the hours you are seeking.
2. When you submit a job application online, should you follow up with a phone call to the potential employer to make yourself known?
It is often a good idea to call and ask a question from a job ad. If a number is provided, and if you are prepared and confident, take the chance and give them a call. You may be lucky enough to get through, and if you do, be ready with a sensible, intelligent question. Don't ask a question that is answered in the written ad. Ask something that is relevant but could only be answered by further questioning. Do not ring and ask if they got your resume unless you are, in fact, quite unsure of this.
3. Is it worth updating with short courses? The Government is offering rebates/ incentives to do so.
Ensuring your skills are up to date is always a good idea but you can waste hours and money on courses that are not relevant. Before you embark on a course of action, make sure that you complete your research on the sorts of roles you want and what skills you would need to perform them well. A given in this age, in any office based role, is that you are skilled in the Microsoft Suite, at least Word and Outlook - possibly Excel. Even if you are seeking a retail type role, most outlets these days use some form of “Windows” based software and it will help you to learn if you at least familiar with the use of a mouse.
4. If I have been at home for more than 1 year (Mat. Leave) what should I be including in the “gap” time on my CV?
Saying that you have taken time for family and children is absolutely fine. If you have been actively involved in school fundraising then put that in your resume, any volunteer work is also helpful as it shows the employer that you have other skills too.
Use expressions likes – “Career break”, “caring for family” or “maternity leave”. Avoid using made up expressions like “domestic engineer” or leaving a gap. People might assume you have been in jail!
5. From a Mature age candidate:
How do I deal with relevant experience for a role gained 15+ years ago? Do I include dates on my CV?
The standard is not to go back any more than 10 years on a job history, however if your 15 year old experience is relevant to the role, list it under a heading of “Skills and Attributes” in front of the chronological job history. A CV is all about bringing about your relevant experience, so modify the format to do so.
Remember to include volunteer work if performed while you were out of the workforce. If it occurred at the same time as you were working, put it in a separate section later on in your resume.
6. Is it best to just apply for specific jobs which have been advertised and is there any point in sending in CV’s to organizations who you are interested in working for but have not advertised a position?
Absolutely, you can send your CV to organizations you are interested in. Not all organizations advertise their roles and your CV might just be the one they are looking for. Even better, try and found out the HR or line management person in the area you would like to work for and then either call them directly, or use your network to try and facilitate an introduction.
7. Do employers really value volunteer work? Particularly committee member of parent and friends associations at school?
Yes we believe they do as it can be viewed as additional experience gained. It also shows a work ethic and a commitment to community which is highly valued by employers today.
8. How do I get past the usual gate keepers e.g. seek, recruitment agents, in order to make contact with the right hiring person in the organization?
It is important that you try and establish a relationship or personal contact with someone at the recruitment firm. Call them and get to know the consultant. You are more likely to be remembered from being polite and friendly than someone who is just trying to get a foot in the door.
Also, use your network. You will be surprised who knows who when you start talking about your desire to return to work. Do not, however, send your CV until it is asked for. People are more than willing to help you in your journey but will be put off by the process if you just send your CV. You also need to control who gets your CV because they do have a shelf life and you need to manage where it goes.
9. What do you do if you find an ideal role via seek that fits your skill set but is advertised as full time, when you really want part time. Do You:
· Don’t bother applying
· Speak to the recruiter to see if part time is possible
· Hope for an interview and if you get there, ask if they will consider part time? Or any other advice you may have.
You need to remember that the employer has the ultimate decision as to how they design a role. If they have advertised for full time but you think you are really well suited, ring the agency or employer and ask if there is any possibility. Don’t however, make this your first question when you do call. Try and get the chance to promote yourself over the phone and then towards the end, ask the part time question. You may have impressed so much that they will want to see you anyway and you now have the advantage that you have been honest in your approach. You may not be right for this role, but perhaps you will be for another one in the future.
To go through a process when you are firm in your conviction that you do not want a full time role, will not represent you well if you do get through.
10. In this room there are over 300 women. No doubt there is someone with similar skills, talents and needs whom I could job share with…. But how do I find her? Or Should I approach an employer as an individual.
Job-sharing is an arrangement in which two or more people share one full-time job, each working part-time on a regular ongoing basis. It may be viable when organizations wish to keep valued employees who are unable to work on a full time basis.
Job sharing is a rapidly growing form of employment across many professions and levels of seniority. Job-sharing can be adapted to a variety of circumstances, because arrangements are individually designed to suit the needs of the organisation, the job sharers and the nature of the job. But again, remember, it is the organizations prerogative to set the work design.
11. Do references help these days? (from past employers, school principal or other community members)
It is unusual these days to include these with your resume, it is far better to state that they will be available on request. Have their details printed out with you at any interviews you attend but don't offer them unless you are asked. Employers tend to use them more for verification purposes as they know that all will be positive (no one gives out bad referees). They can also use them for development purposes. If you referees are old, just be honest about that and try to offer people who have know you in some “work” related capacity ie. volunteering etc.
12.I am not sure what paid work I want to do… How do I go about finding the best work / job for me, let alone flexible working hours?
Phone Kate or Jackie at Priorities and they can assist you. You can also attend the popular career guidance course called “Can I still be a Popstar” run by Priorities where these topics are covered.
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