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The Money Mom: Finding Flexible Employment
This week, I invited one of my favorite sources on work/life balance – something we’re all striving for – to write a guest post about finding a job that works with your hectic schedule. Allison O’Kelly is CEO of Mom Corps, a flexible-employment staffing service. The company provides employers who are looking for part-time workers with a pool of candidates, and professionals with flexible job opportunities.
In today’s economy, it’s hard enough to find a job – let alone, a flexible one that suits your needs both as a professional and a working mom. But don’t despair – in actuality, this may be one of the BEST times to land the flexible gig you need to finally achieve and maintain some form of life/work fit.
While the economy has definitely taken a toll on the job market, it has also forced us companies and employees to reevaluate how we work – and we have seen flexibility placed at the forefront of this change. When companies couldn’t afford to reward and entice employees with bonuses or raises, they were forced to get creative and offer flexible work schedules, four-day work weeks, sabbaticals, and telecommuting options instead. When workers could not find full-time, traditional positions, they in turn started freelancing, contracting, and even interning. Both corporations and workers have seen the benefits of workplace flexibility in terms of morale and profits, and the average 9 to 5 has been redefined during the recession.
So how can you find a flexible job that matches your skill set and experience?
- Start your own freelance or consulting company. Many employers who were forced to downsize over the past year are hesitant to invest in full-time hires as their business picks up. Temporary and contract work is the fastest growing segment of employment right now, and USA Today recently reported that up to a quarter of the nation’s workforce could become temps over the next two years. Would your skills and experience make you a valuable asset to a product launch campaign or three month operations manual overhaul for a local company? Sign up at elance.com or sologig.com to promote your temp services and work how and when you’d like. One thing to note – be prepared to cover your own health insurance and retirement costs, as that is one of the employer benefits for not actually bringing you on full-time.
- Approach your current employer. Flexible work arrangements allow organizations to cut payroll costs without large-scale staff reductions. Companies such as KPMG implemented an optional four-day workweek last year in exchange for a 20% lower base salary. Cost-saving strategies are at the forefront of your supervisor’s mind. If you are willing to take a slight decrease in pay in exchange for your dream schedule or are willing to forgo your bonus in order to telecommute one day per week – now is the time to approach him or her about it.
- Throw a party. Today’s Tupperware party is not your mother’s Tupperware party. If you are strictly looking to find a source of secondary income, sign on to host an in-home party and make a profit off of your sales. Many products these days can sell for over $100, allowing you to generate a sometimes significant amount of profit. Many women have also turned to in-home jewelry, culinary, and clothing sales in order to keep their skill-sets fresh, gain new experience, and make money according to their scheduling needs.
- Go to a temporary staffing company. Of course, make sure that you make the company aware of your flexibility needs and find out if they are willing to work with you. Some might have part time or flexible jobs and others may not. There are a few firms that focus specifically on flexible work, like the one I founded, Mom Corps. Mom Corps matches up candidates like you with premier employers who have flexible work opportunities (part-time, contract, telecommuting, etc.)
- Network creatively and strategically. The definition of networking has also changed substantially. You don’t have to put on a power suit and attend a sometimes awkward business luncheon or cocktail reception in order to collect business cards and contacts anymore. Some of today’s best networking takes place at the soccer field with parents of your children’s friends, over Twitter and Facebook with other working moms’ groups, and while volunteering in your community. Cast a wide net professionally – and personally – in order to set yourself up for as many leads as possible. Let your network know what you are looking for and you might just find the perfect opportunity!
Most importantly, have fun! There are some great flexible opportunities out there just waiting for you!
