Butterfly's Resident Career Coach Julie C. Offers Invaluable Advice

What is the best piece of advice you offer to moms who want to return to the workforce?

One piece of advice is tough! How about a few?

• Know your interests, skills, talents and passions
• Utilize your network no matter what you decide to pursue
• Remember, you are an extremely valuable asset/resource that needs to be connected with (or to create) the right opportunity

How does a woman know when she’s truly ready to return to work in some capacity?

I believe it's a very personal decision. A combination of her needs, wants and values. When she's clear on these, the decision will likely be very obvious.

What if women don’t want to go back to doing what they did before they were moms?

Depending on her skills, interests, past experience, network, creativity, flexibility...she can create a new opportunity. I've seen many people returning to the workplace in new roles, in new fields or creating their own venture that meets most of their needs.

How can a person use transferable skills to find a new career?

This means taking your current skills and using them in a new type of position or industry. She may have to re-frame her past experience to make a case for using it in a new way. A 'functional resume' is an asset for doing this.

What can women do to prepare to return to the workforce?

Stay on top of technology skills, refresh or rebuild your network, let everyone know you're preparing to come back, and most important, start seeing yourself as a valuable asset. Believe in yourself so others will see what you have to offer.

Does a gap in ones’ resume from raising children work against women today?

Most gaps are explainable. You need to be able to tell your story and focus on your value and contributions.

How can a site like Butterfly help moms on their journey to return to work?

Butterfly is helping to provide moms with resources, a supportive network, advice and related job opportunities.

What advice might you offer women who want to start their own website/small business/entrepreneurial venture?

Create a plan, know your target audience and build a structure to move ahead, one step at a time. Moreover, make sure the entrepreneurial work style fits with your own.

How realistic is it for women to go back to school to learn a new trade?

This would depend on the professional area as well as the woman's willingness to start at what most likely will be at the beginning of a new career. Also need to evaluate if it fits in with financial needs and time/energy commitment to a going-back-to-school environment. This can be a really exciting opportunity to start something completely new.