Up to 7% of mothers who were employed before giving birth end up leaving work following their maternity leave, according to the government.
While some end up going back to work after three years, up to 11.2% of mothers who used to work before maternity leave decide to quit their jobs to instead take care of their children at home.
A big consequence of staying home, however, is that it makes it more difficult for mothers to get back into work following a longer career break.
Sisters Amelia and Lydia Miller started their company Ivee to help women get back into work after a longer career break, such as being a stay-at-home mum. One of their main tips for mothers wanting to get back to their career is to rephrase the break in their CV.
“I know you don’t want to hear this, but yes, having 5 years off to raise children will affect your application,” she explained. “A lot of companies are using applicant tracking systems, which is a piece of software that allows them to screen out loads of candidates that are applying. And they actually have filters that screen out candidates that have taken a career break.
“So if you have a break of five years on your CV, or if you have the words ‘career break’ on your CV, you will probably be getting screened out of the softwares.”
However, there is a way to get around this. Lydia explained: “But if you phrase your career break in the right way, you can actually get through those application tracking systems way easier. So for example, instead of saying ‘career break five years’ on your CV, instead you fill that in with a bunch of different stuff you’ve done outside of, I guess, a traditional workspace in those five years.”
She gave the example of being head of the parent teacher committee at your children’s school, volunteering, or freelancing as good things to add into your gap.
“Make sure you’re adding those in and making sure the date comes up to as close to the present day as possible, and definitely within six months of that present day,” she added.
Amelia then brought up the possible need for work references, saying you will be able to use references from previous employers from between five and 10 years in the past. But if you still can’t find a suitable reference, you are able to use reference outside of formal employment, such as from where you’ve volunteered or a character reference from someone that knows you.
“If they’re really pressing you on it, then I would suggest doing some freelancing or doing some work experience even just to make sure that you have someone that can vouch for you from within the last five years.”