• Your skills as a parent can add to your employability.altrendo images/Stockbyte/Getty Images
  
  You've spent the last few years raising children, and now you think you're ready to rejoin the workforce. When interviewing for a job, you can make your skills and time as a mother work to your advantage. You'll probably have developed multitasking and management skills that will be invaluable at your new job. But before you jump in, make sure you're as prepared as you can be.
  
  

Revamp Your Resume

• To kick start your job hunt, start with your resume. Being away from the working world for a while can make sending out resumes a little scary. Revisit your resume and start making changes. You would probably have learned new skills as a parent, which will add to your employability. When writing or rewriting your career objective, you'll get a clearer picture of your qualifications and the type of job you are most suitable for, which will help you narrow down your list of prospective employers. Fill in the gaps in your resume with tasks that you engage in as a mother. For instance, you can list your project management skills as a delegate leader for your daughter's Girl Guides Club, or your Excel skills that you used to create the household budget. Spending time on your resume will help develop the confidence and self-awareness needed to help you get through the first interview hurdle.
  
  

Practice with Family Members

• Think of all the possible questions your prospective employer might ask you when you meet him in person. Make a list of these questions and have a family member quiz you. Most people get anxious and forgetful when in the hot seat. By practicing before the interview, you'll lose some of that fear, and your body language will be more relaxed and confident. Also think of a salary ballpark figure and have your family member enact a scenario in which the prospective employer feels you should be paid less.
  
  Be ready to respond to questions that begin with "tell me a time when you...". Think of day to day situations as a mom where you're skills helped you overcome obstacles and share those with your interviewer. For instance, you can let your interviewer know how you dealt with issues of sibling rivalry when you're second child was born. This will reveal something about your conflict negotiation skills.
  
  

Dress the Part

• First impressions are important, especially at job interviews. Get an idea of the dress code of the company you are interviewing at. Is it a law firm that abides by a formal dress code, or is it a jeans and T-shirt start-up graphic design company? Modest, smart-casual outfits in muted colors work best. Avoid excessive jewelry and do not wear diamond rings or big dangly earrings. You want your employer to focus on your skills, so stay away from any fashion item that is too loud or distracting.
  
  Don't dress like you would at home. Steer clear of "momsy" dresses with bright floral prints, sweat pants or clothes with baby spit-up stains. Sharp and simple outfits like a black pencil skirt and white shirt with a collard jacket convey confidence and efficiency.