Anyone wondering where all the good talent is right now might consider checking the local playgrounds. According to the US Census Bureau, the number of moms taking time off from their careers to raise children is nearing 5.5 million. These women are often college-educated professionals who stepped off the work scene just as they were nearing the height of their careers. And depending on which study you read, somewhere between 84-90% of these are going to want back in.     

For women facing this decision, there is some good news in the current job market. With a mass exodus commencing amongst the baby boomers, there is soon to be a large shortage of qualified workers nationwide as 49 million Generation Xers scramble to fill 77 million empty shoes.  Faced with a talent pool stretching thin, the “Hidden Brain Drain” task force points to the untapped talent amongst women who have temporarily “opted out” of corporate life while they raise children. Employers are going to be increasingly looking for skilled talent wherever they can find it, and reentering moms are going to be able to write their own terms at a premium.  

Today’s reentering moms with families have a lot going for them. Nationally, employers are more willing than ever to offer flexible work schedules, allowing busy moms to balance their careers with their family life. According to the Families and Work Institute’s 2008 National Study of Employers, 79% of employers are now willing to allow workers some flexibility over their work hours, up from 68% 10 years ago-a trend that will only continue to rise as the talent pool shrinks over the coming years. 

Stepping back into the workforce after a prolonged break can be a daunting prospect.  Not only has work culture shifted while moms were busy changing diapers and volunteering with the school play, but many important technologies and business practices have changed, too. How do you fill in the holes left on your resume over the past several years?  How will you ever catch up enough to compete?  If you are a reentering mom and are not sure about how to pick up where you left off, here are

How to “RENEW” your career:

Reinvent Yourself

You now have new life experience to combine with your professional experience. Perhaps you would like to use the skills you already have and apply them to a new direction. Making the choice to go back to work does not mean that you have to return to the exact same career as before. Bounce your ideas off somebody else by talking with your friends or by enlisting the help of a career coach. You have an opportunity for freedom-now is your chance to reinvent yourself!

Educate Yourself

Learn about what is happening in your current industry of choice. A simple Google search will no doubt provide you with more than enough information to catch you up to speed. Consider taking a class to freshen your skills, or perhaps to learn a new one. Perhaps you are keenly aware that technologies have changed and you need to update your computer skills.  Many classes are available both locally and online. Taking the time to upgrade your knowledge base will not only give you the confidence to go forward, but will give you something tangible to put you back at the top of your game.  

Network, Network, Network!

If you have been actively involved in your child’s social life, chances are you know a lot of moms and dads who are going strong in their careers. Take advantage of these valuable networks! Tell these people that you are heading back in and are looking for advice.  Join industry-related networking groups in your area. Ask everyone you know. You will be surprised at how many people know other people with needs.  

Edit Your Resume

Your resume is doubtlessly going to need a facelift. Many reentering moms are concerned by the “gap” over the last few years as they have raised their children. Did you help organize fundraising at the school? Were you involved in parent organizations? With the right wording, you can turn these into finance and management experience. If you are still concerned by a several-year absence from corporate life, consider organizing your resume by relevant skills rather than by chronological order.  This will help take the focus off the dates and put it where it belongs-on what you can do!   If you still need help, it’s always a smart idea to run your revamped resume by a professional.

Watch for “on-ramps”

Establishing yourself back in a full-time career is sometimes a lengthy process. More often than not, it takes time to find that “perfect fit.” Keep your eyes open for contract positions or temporary needs along the way to your bigger goal. One Harvard study showed that over 90% of Fortune 500 companies were willing to take on reentering moms for short-term projects. While this may not be your ultimate goal, it may be exactly the on-ramp you need to get back on the highway. 

Moms reentering the workplace comprise some of the brightest and most talented professionals out there. With a little creativity and focus on what it is that you want and need, you can get back in the game with a career path that is right for you.

Erika Archer is a freelance writer with 10 years of experience as a Human Resources Manager.  She has a Masters degree from the University of Hong Kong and currently resides in the mountains outside of Boulder, CO.