Are you a stay-at-home mom ready to rejoin the workforce but feeling overwhelmed about where to start? This blog dives into five practical steps you can take to prepare for a successful transition back to the paid workforce in 2025 and beyond!
If you’re a stay-at-home mom (SAHM) gearing up to rejoin the workforce in 2025, chances are you’ve been asking yourself, “Where do I even start?” Sure, creating a polished resume is part of the equation, but there’s so much more you can do to set yourself up for success before hitting “Apply” on job boards.
This blog breaks down five essential steps you can take to ensure your return to work is not just smooth but also fulfilling and empowering. Whether you’ve been out of the workforce for a few months or several years, these actionable tips will help you align your goals, refresh your skills, and rebuild your professional confidence.
Let’s dive in!
1. Identify Your Ideal Role
Before you update your resume or hit up LinkedIn, take a step back and ask yourself: What kind of role aligns with my current priorities and skills?
Returning to work isn’t just about earning a paycheck, it’s also about finding a position that aligns to your goals and skills professionally. Reflect on your previous experience and think about how your career goals might have evolved. Do you want a role with flexible hours? A leadership position? Or perhaps you’re eyeing a brand new industry altogether? Remember, just because you paused your paid profession, it doesn’t mean you have to settle for less than you desire.
Agile Mom Tip:
Write down your “ideal job description.” List out the type of work environment, responsibilities, and benefits that would make you excited to get out of bed every morning. This clarity will not only guide your job search but also boost your confidence when speaking to potential employers. Maybe you want to put your name in the hat for a few different types of roles, that’s ok too. Do this activity for all of the possible job titles you’ll be searching for.
2. Know Your Worth
Let’s face it, many SAHMs undersell themselves after taking time away from paid work. I see it and hear it all the time. Heck, I’ve even worried about doing this myself. But here’s the truth, the responsibilities of a job don’t suddenly change because of your time away. Why would you deserve less than anyone else filling that open position?
Start by researching salary ranges for the roles you’re interested in. Some of the tools you can use to perform this market research are:
These platforms offer insights into salary expectations based on factors like location, job title, and experience. Remember, you bring valuable skills, both from your previous career, and your time managing a household (talk about project management, multitasking, budgeting, etc.) Are you already following my Agile Home Management System? If not, check it out here!
Don’t settle for less. Advocate for yourself, and be confident in negotiating a salary that reflects your worth.
3. Revamp Your LinkedIn Profile
Let’s talk LinkedIn, because in 2025, it’s more than just a professional networking platform; it’s your online resume and a crucial tool for communicating with the right people, interacting with other professionals in your area and ultimatley, landing that dream job.
Here’s how I suggest to update your LinkedIn to stand out:
- Add the “Open to Work” banner to your profile.
- Write a compelling headline that showcases your skills and ambitions (e.g., “Experienced Marketing Professional | Skilled in Digital Strategy & Brand Management | Open to Remote Roles”).
- Ensure your previous positions are listed. That’s right, your position as a SAHM too. It’s essentially a social media copy of your resume. LinkedIn has made an update to add this profession as an option.
- Connect with hiring managers, recruiters, and industry leaders.
- Be proactive! Share posts about your career journey, comment on industry discussions, and engage with content to increase your visibility.
- Don’t be nervous by applicant levels on job openings. Studies have found that those numbers are both not always accurate and largely filled with candidates who either do not meet requirements, will find another job after applying, will not find the role to be a fit etc.
Agile Mom Tip:
When connecting with someone, send a personalized message. Mention why you’re reaching out. Perhaps you admire their work or share similar career interests. Be honest and open if you’re looking to network, interested in the culture of the company, etc. You never know who is hiring or knows someone hiring. There is a lot of value in who you know, some would say it matters more than what you know!
4. Set Your Priorities
Here’s a hard truth, the job has to work for you. It’s not all about how you fit the rolethe employer is looking to fill. It’s equally as important for you to interview the company as well. Before jumping back into the workforce, define your must haves. Gone are the days where the hiring process is one sided. Has this been helpful? This is also important when preparing for interviews (subscribe to my e-mail list to be notified of new blog posts on this topic).
Consider questions like:
- Do I need a flexible schedule?
- How far am I willing to commute?
- What kind of company culture do I want to be part of?
- Are benefits like healthcare or retirement plans non-negotiable?
- What is my total compensation requirements (total compensation is more than the hourly or salary rate. Consider health plans, paid leave including PTO/Sick Time/Maternity Leave as well as Retirement Funds).
By outlining your priorities ahead of time, you can narrow your job search to positions that truly align with your needs. Plus, this clarity will help you confidently discuss your requirements during interviews.
5. Refresh Your Certifications
Employers love seeing candidates who are proactive about keeping their skills up to date. If it’s been a while since you’ve worked, consider renewing expired certifications or pursuing new ones that align with your target roles.
- Interested in project management? Get certified in Agile or Scrum.
- Heading back into tech? Explore platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or LinkedIn Learning for courses on coding, data analytics, or social media marketing.
- Want to re-enter healthcare? Renew your CPR or nursing certifications.
Not only does this show employers you’re ready to hit the ground running, but it also gives you a confidence boost because you’ve got the credentials to back up your expertise!
Not sure what types of certificates to obtain? Check out job postings for your ideal position and look through the ‘required’ and ‘nice to have’ requirements and see what credentials are most frequently listed.
BONUS Step: Share Responsibilities at Home
Before you take the leap back into the workforce, it’s essential to have an open conversation with your partner or family about shared responsibilities. Transitioning from a SAHM to a working mom is a big change for everyone, and having a supportive system in place can make all the difference.
Consider implementing systems like mine! Check out my Agile Home Management Guide to learn how we divvy up tasks like school drop-offs, grocery shopping, and housework. This ensures that everyone is on the same page and avoids burnout as you juggle work and home life.
Remember: You can’t do two full time positions at once. You can’t be expected to be the default partner. Balance and communication are the key to reducing burnout.
Agile Mom’s Final Thoughts
Re-entering the workforce as a SAHM is no small feat, but with a little preparation, you can make it a successful and rewarding transition. By identifying your ideal role, knowing your worth, leveraging LinkedIn, setting clear priorities, and refreshing your certifications, you’ll set yourself apart as a confident and capable candidate.
And remember, you’ve already mastered the art of multitasking, problem-solving, and leadership at home. Now it’s time to bring those skills into the professional world!
Good luck, you’ve got this!
FAQs
1. How do I explain my time away from the workforce on my resume?
Be honest and confident! Avoid saying “just” you aren’t just a mom. You didn’t “just” stay home. You were a part of a family decision to pause your time in the paid workforce to take on a pivotal role in your home and in society. Use a functional resume format that highlights your skills and accomplishments. You can also include a brief note about your time as a SAHM and the valuable transferrable skills you gained during that period.
2. What’s the best way to network as a SAHM?
LinkedIn is your best friend when it comes to social/online networking. Connect with former colleagues, industry leaders, and recruiters. It’s important not to forget the networking you’ve done as a part of your current role. Call on other SAHMs that have re-entered the paid workforce, do they have connections in your preferred field? There is value in relationships you cultivated during your time in this position. If you have the opportunity, attend local networking events or join online communities in your field.
3. What certifications are most valuable for someone re-entering the workforce?
It depends on your target role! For tech roles, certifications in coding or data analytics are great. For business roles, consider certifications in project management, marketing, or customer service. For administrative roles consider Microsoft certifications in areas like Excel. Healthcare, maybe a CPR certification is required.
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