If you have been out of work for a time while you have been raising a family, it can sometimes seem like a daunting task to get back into work. Many of us have been at home for so long we may not even know where to get started searching for a new career. However, there are certain steps that you can take to increase your chances of finding work.

1. Decide what you want from a job
You may not want the same things from your job as you did before you had children. When you know what your motivation is for working, this will help you narrow down your job search.

2. Do you want a change in career?
This will largely depend on how you felt about your career before you left. If you do not want to return to the same type of work that you did before, this can be an ideal time to pursue a new career.

3. Consider some form of retraining
Even if you are returning to the same career it never hurts to brush up on your skills. For example, if your job involved using HR software, it is likely that the software would have been updated since you used it last and so being aware of these changes will give you an advantage when applying for jobs.

4. Contact former colleagues
If you have kept in touch with your former colleagues since your time off then you should let them know that you are looking for work. They may have suggestions for suitable jobs, or put you in touch with other people who may be able to help you. Use Facebook or LinkedIn to connect with people you may have lost touch with, and arrange a face-to-face meeting.

5. Include any voluntary work on your CV
If you have done any voluntary work during the time that you have been at home then this should be included on your CV. This shows potential employers that you have been taking action to keep your skills up to date.

6. Make the most of any new skills that you have acquired
Spending time at home and taking care of your family would have led to you developing skills that you may not have had before. These skills can make you better at the job that you did before, or pave the way for a new career.

7. Tell as many people as you can about your job search
The more people that know you are looking for work, the more contacts you will have that can point you in the direction of jobs that may interest you.

8. Look for jobs that fit around your family life
There will often be details of jobs that offer flexible hours which fit around caring for your children on websites that help moms get back into work. These types of sites should be one of the first places you look when searching for jobs online.

9. Practice your interview techniques
It may have been a number of years since you last had a job interview, so it is a good idea to practice how you perform in an interview as much as possible before the real thing.

10. Be prepared to be flexible
If you do decide to embark on a new career then you may have to start in a lower position than you were in at your previous job. This may also mean a lower salary. However, with a bit of hard work you may find that you are soon able to work your way up the ladder.

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