Returning to work as a mom can be stressful. Climbing the career ladder and caring for a child requires a lot of stamina and the ability to multitask. The best jobs for moms returning to work will offer a healthy work-life balance to remove scrambling for a babysitter from your to-do list. Many jobs for moms going back to work also take advantage of the organizational and interpersonal skills many moms have in abundance.
In this article, we will dive into the best jobs for moms, including several high-paying freelance jobs and careers you can work part-time. Many of these careers offer a flexible schedule or remote work options and enough time to spend with your kids.
Why Do Some Moms Return to Work?
Moms return to the workforce for various reasons, including financial necessity, personal preference, and for a sense of professional achievement. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 65 percent of women with children under six participate in the labor force. This number increases to 75 percent for mothers with children under 18. This shows that many women return to work as their children grow.
10 Best Jobs for Moms Returning to Work
| Job Title | Average Salary | Top 10% Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Web Developer | $78,300 | $168,200 |
| Registered Nurse | $77,600 | $120,250 |
| Writer | $69,510 | $133,580 |
| Human Resource Specialist | $62,290 | $108,160 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $61,350 | $99,240 |
| Digital Marketer | $58,565 | $90,000 |
| Interpreter and Translator | $49,110 | $97,760 |
| Fitness Trainer and Instructor | $45,760 | $75,940 |
| Customer Support Representative | $36,459 | $51,000 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aide | $29,430 | $37,010 |
There are numerous good jobs for moms going back to work. Busy moms can find part-time work in freelance positions like copywriting and web development. Certain options like teaching, nursing, and becoming a personal care aide, are perfect return to work jobs for moms because you can use their parenting skills on the job. We explore the best jobs for moms in more detail below.
Web Developer
Web development and digital design may seem like a male-dominated sector, but women are beginning to fill the career gap. These are good jobs for moms getting back into the workforce because you can often work remotely and still earn impressive pay. You’ll need to learn computer programming and digital tools like Adobe Photoshop.
To quickly learn the required programming skills, consider enrolling in a coding bootcamp. Most web development and UX/UI design bootcamps take less than 12 months to complete. Moreover, they include career services that are extremely beneficial in helping you land your first job.
Registered Nurse
As a mom, you have soft skills that would suit a career in nursing, including listening, problem-solving, organization, and teamwork. Registered nurses work in shifts. When you’re not working, you can spend quality time with your kids and family.
Writer
Freelance careers, such as writing, are some of the best jobs for moms returning to work because you more or less determine your schedule, giving you time to take care of your family. You can dive into writing right away by signing up with online platforms like Upwork that cater to freelance workers. You can opt to write and publish your own books or do ghostwriting or copywriting for clients on freelance websites. Usually, registration on freelance sites is free.
Human Resource Specialist
This career path is suitable for moms who are extroverts and strong communicators, with negotiation and organizational skills. As a human resource specialist, you will be responsible for recruiting, intervening, and acting as a mediator between employees and employers.
Most moms will have the required skillset for this career, which includes empathy, conflict resolution, and teamwork. Human resource specialists have a wide variety of job opportunities. In some cases, a degree in management, business, or other related fields is required to get hired as a human resource specialist.
Digital Marketer
As opposed to a traditional marketing job, as a digital marketer, you don’t need to move from place to place trying to sell products. Digital marketers work mostly via emails and social media, using web content to attract customers for their clients. This means that digital marketing can be done from your home and not necessarily from an office.
Digital marketing offers home-based jobs for moms who want to work remotely and enjoy flexible work hours. A career in marketing is a solid career choice for moms looking for potential job growth and career development.
Elementary School Teacher
Teaching is not an easy career but it would put you and your school-age kid on a similar schedule. Teaching often requires more than full-time work, but it can also provide a mom-friendly schedule on the weekends and during school breaks.
There are many teaching jobs for moms going back to work, as many districts are experiencing teacher shortages. If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you’ll just need to gain the required certification and pass a background test to become a teacher.
Interpreter and Translator
Interpreter or translator is one of the best jobs for moms who speak more than one language. Interpreters and translators have an impressive job growth rate of 20 percent, according to BLS. With headphones, a computer, and a good Internet connection, plus effective communication skills, you can become a translator.
Fitness Trainer and Instructor
As a fitness trainer, you’ll be getting into shape while you train and instruct others. You can also restrict your fitness training services to moms like yourself. To get clients for your fitness classes, you can take advantage of social media and share some of your workouts across platforms.
Customer Support Representative
Customer support representative is often regarded as an entry-level position. Patience, good negotiation skills, and communication skills are required for this job, and most moms have these already. Many customer support jobs hire part-time workers and call center jobs are often home-based. Flexibility is an important feature in most jobs for moms returning to work.
Home Health and Personal Care Aide
As a mom, it will not be difficult to fit into the role of home health and personal care aide. Your responsibility as a home health care aide requires visiting clients and helping them with household and personal care. If your kids are older, you may also decide to work as a live-in home health and personal care aide.
Companies That Hire Moms Returning to Work
Some employers still discriminate against stay-at-home moms. A Harvard Business Review in 2018 discovered that moms planning to return to work are half as likely to get a job interview. According to the review, it’s tougher for moms who have stayed out of the workforce for a while.
However, there are many companies that hire moms returning to work. Below, we have listed some of the top companies that hire moms and are known for having inclusive and supportive policies to meet their needs.
- FleishmanHillard: FleishmanHillard is a PR agency with women in charge of 59 percent of its worldwide offices. At FleishmanHillard, moms get numerous welfare packages to accommodate their new status.
- Cisco Systems: At Cisco Systems, breastfeeding moms are offered lactation rooms to comfortably breast pump or feed their babies. The lactation rooms are furnished with support pillows, a chair, and a monitor side table. Cisco Systems also provides flexible time off for moms.
- Johnson & Johnson: At Johnson & Johnson, employees are offered 15 weeks of paid maternity leave. Employees also have access to $35,000 in fertility assistance and $20,000 per child for adoption and surrogacy.
- Care.com: Care.com offers moms 12 weeks of paid maternity leave, paid time off, and a good health insurance plan. Plus, Care.com offers its employees on-site manicures, free snacks, and transportation shuttles.
- American Express: At American Express, moms and dads get 20 weeks of parental leave at full pay, plus six to eight paid weeks off for moms that require medical leave. Also, employees interested in having kids get a lifetime bonus of up to $35,000 to assist with the cost of fertility treatments.
Tips for Moms Going Back to Work
As a mom, getting back into the workforce after a long career break can be quite a struggle. However, there are valuable tips for moms going back to work that can help you ease the transition. Dig deep within yourself and find out what you want from your job, then improve your skills, obtain additional education, update your resume, and reach out to recruiters.
As a mom, you’ll likely want to find a job that offers a work-life balance and lets you have time for your kids. Searching for these jobs can be frustrating if you don’t know how to go about it. To successfully get back to work after a career break, follow our list of tips for working moms below.
- Suitability. As a mom, your first concern should be checking whether a job offers a flexible schedule so you can have time for your kid. Make sure the salary offered is reasonable, too.
- Acquire Transferable Skills. Since the workforce is always evolving, you may need to acquire new skills or update the ones you already have. Acquiring tech skills may be your best bet because they are most in demand these days.
- Update Your Resume. You need to update your resume to sell your potential as a worker. Read a resume writing guide and learn the best way to list your skills and relevant experience.
- Reach Out to Recruiters. With your relevant skills and a perfect resume, landing one of the best jobs for moms going back to work will be easy. You should reach out to recruiters, visit company job boards, attend job fairs, and search for vacancies online.
- Send Multiple Applications. Don’t send one application and wait for feedback. Send multiple applications to various vacancies, especially entry-level positions. You might get several requests for interviews or job offers.
Job Outlook for Moms Returning to Work
Investing in your education and skills is a great way to land a job as a mom returning to work. While some employers still discriminate against women with kids, with the right skills and educational background, getting a job will be easier. Don’t forget, there are flexible online programs designed for moms who want to study on a part-time basis.
Finally, ensure that you choose the right career option that provides satisfaction in terms of salary, flexibility, socialization, and professional development. Many of the best jobs for moms returning to work offer part-time hours, which can be a great way to ease the transition back into the workforce.
Best Jobs for Moms Returning to Work FAQ
To address an employment gap as a stay-at-home mom, you might want to invest in short online courses in your field to show employers that you are still up-to-date on the newest ideas. You can also emphasize that your experiences outside the workforce have led to valuable transferable soft skills that are applicable to your career.
What is the best career for single moms?
The best careers for single moms are often jobs that offer a high level of flexibility, such as web developer, copywriter, or social media manager. Many single moms want careers that don’t require them to work in an office full-time.
Can a mom go back to work after 10 years?
Yes, a mom can go back to work after ten years. After so long out of the workforce, you might need to revisit entry-level jobs or look into ways to update your resume. Taking online classes, enrolling in a degree program, or gaining professional certifications can help you qualify for careers if you don’t have recent work experience.
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What are the best family-friendly careers for mothers?
The best family-friendly careers for mothers include customer service representative, teacher’s aid, and home health aid. Any role that offers a high degree of flexibility is a great option. You can also look into freelance positions, such as web designer or copy editor.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
