Finding a job as a single mother can be difficult at times. If your children are older and already in school it makes things a little less complicated as you can work your schedule around when the kids are already going to be gone. When you have younger children you have to look into finding the right daycare for your child. It has to be affordable, or you end up going to work only to pay for daycare so that you can work. It’s a vicious cycle and can be a real drain on your paycheck if you don’t shop around a little first.
When looking for a job make sure that you have a good resume. Check for spelling and grammatical errors. Nothing will be more of a turn off to an employer than if you have errors on your resume. Go into your interview looking professional. First impressions mean a lot in the work place; you always want to put your best foot forward. If you have to fill out an application for the job, follow the directions exactly and again check for spelling and grammatical errors. You want to look like you really know your stuff. Be upfront about your scheduling needs. If they aren’t willing to work with you, you need to know that right away so you can be looking elsewhere.
After your interview don’t just sit around and wait for them to call you. Be proactive. If it is a larger company, send a thank you note thanking them for taking the time to interview you. This will impress them and keep you at the top of their mind. Don’t be afraid to call back and check in with them. Don’t be overbearing, just show them that you are still interested.
Don’t get discouraged if you get turned down more than once. Be proactive and do everything that you can do and eventually you will find what you are looking for. Put your best foot forward and show them what you’ve got!