A friend who stayed at home for a while recently asked me about how to talk about her time at home in an interview. During my HR career, I have interviewed many women 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.
Confidence is the key to successfully returning to work. Spending time preparing for the interview will build your confidence!
