Career Coach: Back in the Game

The question of how to strategically approach a return to the workforce is being posed by more and more professionals. These people have plenty of experience—just not in recent times! The good news is that companies are embracing a more enlightened (and profitable) understanding of the value offered by sidelined professionals hoping to return to work.

Working Mother Magazine's annual “100 Best Companies” list spotlights employers that consider moms to be valuable assets, offering flexible hours and nurturing leadership potential. These companies have also been known to provide stress reduction programs, health and fitness amenities, and overall wellness initiatives. Knowing "corporate America," however, we can be pretty sure that these companies aren't solely motivated by "doing good"; rather, they know that working moms (and dads!) can do them a world of good as well.

If you've been out of the workforce for a while, here are three things you should know:

Companies that know your value do exist.
You only need one job offer.
There has never been a better time to reenter the workforce.

Did that last point shock you? True, these are times of high unemployment, change and uncertainty, but there are also more opportunities available to nontraditional candidates. Many companies are not just accepting, but actually welcoming returning professionals to join their ranks. Instead of focusing on the factors working against you, own your value and market yourself with confidence. Pretty soon, you're bound to start hearing, “So, when can you start?”

— Alan Allard, Career Coach