With kids back in school, this is the time of year that many mothers think about going back to work, or "relaunching" their careers as we call it; this year perhaps more than ever before. Although the job market is tight, we've heard from relaunchers all over the country who have found (or created) opportunities in this market, despite the difficult economy. I've been wondering . . . what distinguishes these women from other stay-at-home moms seeking to return to work? Are they extremely brilliant or well-connected? Although some of the women we've heard from do fall into these categories, the majority are regular folks whose qualifications are not particularly extraordinary. But they all shared one important trait: a strong desire to return to paid work, not just a need, not just a whim, but a deep, compelling drive to "get back in the game." How can you tell if you have that kind of commitment? Take Part I of our Relaunch Readiness Quiz to measure your motivation:

I miss working . . .

Not at all Somewhat A lot

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

For the time being, I am very happy being a stay-at-home mother.

Agree strongly Agree somewhat Disagree strongly

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

I have a hobby or volunteer work that substantively engages me.

Agree strongly Agree somewhat Disagree strongly

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

I could see myself going back to work in _______ years
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

(Circle the number in the second row below the answer you choose in the first row.)

The average number of hours per week that I would be willing and able to spend working is . . .
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 40+
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

(Circle the number in the second row below the answer you choose in the first row.)

Our family could materially benefit from my earning money. Disagree strongly Agree somewhat Agree strongly

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Add up all the numbers you circled. This is your score _______________

Interpretation of Scoring

If you score 45 or above, you have a strong desire to relaunch. Your family's financial need may be a major factor, but you also genuinely enjoy working and/or you're bored at home. With this level of drive, you should be willing to invest the time and energy to conduct a strategic and methodical job search or take steps toward securing consulting work or start your own business.

If your score falls between 30 and 45, you currently have a moderate appetite for work. You may get lucky and fall into an opportunity, depending on your experience and contacts; or you may develop a passion for something (whether volunteer or paid) that eventually leads to earning an income, but to secure employment in a competitive corporate environment you'll need to kick up your ambition a notch to communicate the necessary energy and drive.

If you score less than 30, you're not very motivated to return to work at this time. Consider investing more time in your hobbies and volunteer work, particularly those that might open up career options for you later. Also, use this time to explore what might interest you when you're ready to go back to work in the future. If you scored high on question 6 but low on everything else, you need to try to develop a more positive view of work or pursue only those positions that do not demand much intellectual or emotional commitment.

For parts II and III of the Relaunch Readiness Quiz, visit www.iRelaunchcom.

Carol Fishman Cohen and Vivian Steir Rabin are the co-authors of the acclaimed career reentry book Back on the Career Track: A Guide for Stay-at-Home Moms Who Want to Return to Work , and the co-founders of iRelaunch, the nation's leading provider of career reentry programming. Carol and Vivian can be reached at info@iRelaunch.com or follow us on twitter www.twitter.com/iRelaunch.

GUEST POST by NY Working Moms Examiner Amy Impellizzeri.

At iRelaunch's "Career Relaunch Forum" held at Seton Hall University last week, co-founders, Carol Fishman Cohen and Vivian Steir Rabin, delivered one powerful message to the nearly sold-out crowd of 150+ attendees: YOU can relaunch your professional career after a hiatus at home.

No matter if headhunters dismiss you.

No matter why you left in the first place.

No matter how long the hiatus.

The Career Relaunch Forum was an intensive day jam-packed with presentations from actual relaunchers, Q&A sessions, as well as networking opportunities and presentations by employer sponsors (including Accenture, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, Goldman Sachs, MomCorps, Bloomberg, MIT Professional Education, Hooray For Books, Deutsche Bank, Tyco, Credit Suisse, and MyWorkButterfly.com). (For a complete list of event sponsors, click here.)

The presentations and break-out sessions left attendees that I spoke with feeling "motivated" "encouraged" and "optimistic."

Cohen and Rabin are passionate about the subject of relaunching and, having relaunched their own careers after 11 and 7 year hiatuses, respectively, bring tremendous credibility to the subject. The authors of Back on the Career Track have made the study of relaunchers an art form, focusing on, and in their words, "trumpeting success stories", in order to both encourage would-be relaunchers and also to educate potential employers about the benefits of hiring relaunchers. (Reduced probability of maternity leaves, reduced spousal re-locations, and the benefits of mature perspective, being just a few of the advantages touted by Cohen and Rabin that separate relaunchers from the rest of the candidate pool.)

But according to Cohen and Rabin - presenting on the issue for the 82nd time last week - the single most important character trait that separates would-be relaunchers from the rest of the workforce is the trait that was palpable in the room at the Career Relaunch Forum: enthusiasm. Would-be relaunchers are anxious and eager to get back to the workforce once they make that decision. As one attendee told me, "I had lunch with a former colleague recently and he told me, 'you know why you're going to be successful now? Because you WANT to work. We [all of us that have stayed in the industry continuously while you've been gone] are tired and looking to get OUT."

Of course, relaunching is not just for moms, and neither is iRelaunch. About 10% of the attendees at last week's Career Relaunch Forum were male, and one male attendee pointed out, "This information is just as relevant for me as it is for all the moms here. I'm so glad I came."

For FOX NEWS television coverage of the October 29 Career Relaunch Forum, click here.

For more about iRelaunch, check out their website here.

Direct Link to Amy Impellizzeri's examiner.com article, click here.

Q: What things should I NOT include on my resume?

A: A good resume needs to be crafted with great consideration, and should be a strong representation of the candidate that you are. YOU are the expert on YOU and a resume is your opportunity to highlight your professional strengths for a prospective employer. A strong resume is an enticing synopsis of the professional experience and related qualifications that you bring to the table. It should tell just enough to make the reader want to learn more and thus call you for an interview. There are several items, however, that your resume should NOT include:

(1) Personal details and photographs - Do not include any information about your height, weight, age, marital status, children or other detail that might elicit subconscious discrimination from the person reading your resume. Do not ever include a photograph of yourself unless it is a mandatory qualification for the job, like at a modeling agency.

(2) Hobbies – What you do for fun outside of work is your business. It should have no bearing on your perceived ability to do a job. Do not waste valuable space on your resume with this information.

(3) Clubs, organizations and volunteer work NOT related to your industry or profession – These activities, if not work-related, should have no bearing on your abilities to do the job, so don't mention them. The only exception might be for very recent graduates who may have held leadership roles in college clubs or organizations. This information may be more applicable for them considering the absence of more extensive work experience. If you are more than a few years out of school, leave it off.

(4) Religious and Political affiliations – Although your religious and political involvement outside of work may be an enormously important part of your life, it has nothing to do with your ability to successfully fulfill the expectations of a job. It may not be fair, but if you share it on the resume, you are leaving yourself open to be prejudged and possibly eliminated from the candidate pool based on someone else's bias. Unless you are applying for a job at a campaign headquarters or a religious organization, do not include this very personal information.

(5) Your "Objective" – It may seem counter-intuitive to leave this off, but the statement of a specific Objective can be very limiting. A better use of space is to write a 5-8 sentence "Summary of Qualifications" that highlights your professional assets. Summarize your best qualities as a candidate right at the top of the resume and entice the hiring manager to read on.

When in doubt, the best way to determine what information to share with a potential employer is to ask yourself this question, "Does this information have anything to do with my professional background or my ability to do this job?" If not, then leave it off and save the room for something that will distinguish you professionally from another candidate. After you get the job, based on the merits of your professional background, there will be plenty of time to get to know the people in your office and to share more about your interests outside of work. Let your resume sell why you are a great candidate you are for the position. Market only your professional strengths and leave the personal information out.

Hannah Morris is the owner of HBM Human Resources & Career Consulting based in Charleston, SC. She has 15 years of experience in Human Resources management, recruiting and career counseling. Additionally she is the owner of Pots & Petals, a gardening business that she has started while being a stay-at-home mom.

Q: What can women who are taking time out of the workforce to be stay-at-home moms do to keep their skills and experience relevant and up-to-date?

A: If you have made the choice to stay at home with your children for an extended period but you plan to eventually return to regular, full-time work, then there are several things you might consider doing to keep your skills, knowledge and credentials updated. Here are ten suggestions:

(1) Read! - Continue subscribing to industry magazines or newsletters that will provide you with the latest information and updates about what is going on in your field. Additionally, consider starting a book club in which your group reads and discusses books about business-related topics.

(2) Maintain your memberships in industry or business-related organizations. – By continuing to attend meetings you will stay connected to people in the business community. Once you begin looking for a job again, these networking contacts will be essential. Your active membership in such an organization is something you can definitely include on your resume.

(3) Join (or start) a networking club/meeting with other moms who are taking a break from their careers – Without a doubt there are other women who have made the same choice to stay home with children, but ultimately plan to go back to work. Seek out women in your neighborhood, children's school, or other community group who are also interested in networking and mentoring one another.

(4) Attend continuing education seminars and educational programs – Take advantage of classes and programs related to your area of expertise or other business-related topic. Also check with industry organizations and local colleges and universities to find out when and where they will offer training or continuing education classes in your area.

(5) Volunteer in your field – Use what you know to benefit those who may not be able to pay for your services. Although a paycheck is great, volunteering still allows you an opportunity to utilize your knowledge as an expert in your field and could be a nice addition to your resume.

(6) Manage a community, school or non-profit project or event– Even if it is not specifically related to your career, taking a major role in the planning and execution of this type of event will allow you to use the same organization, prioritization and management skills needed in a work environment.

(7) Look for consulting opportunities in your field – Taking on an occasional project for a client is a great way to keep your skills fresh, to build your resume, and earn a little extra money. The best way to find this kind of opportunity is through networking. Utilize your business contacts and pursue connections through family, friends, and neighbors.

(8) Keep your resume updated and your interview skills polished – You never know when you might be asked for a resume. A great consulting opportunity may arise and you want to have your resume read to send out upon request. Additionally, if you have not interviewed for a while, make sure you have a nice suit that fits well and makes you feel confident. Take time to practice selling yourself as the best candidate for the job.

(9) Keep your licenses and/or certifications up-to-date - Stay on top of what training or coursework you need to complete to maintain your credentials even if you are out of the workforce. If it is important to have certifications in your field, be sure that you are keeping yours up-to-date in preparation for when you return to work.

(10) Have a mentor– Contact a former boss, co-worker or other professional whom you respect and ask them to be a mentor to you. Get together every couple of months for coffee or lunch to catch up on business-related news and to get advice on what else you can be doing to keep yourself prepared to re-enter the workforce.

If you are staying at home to be with your children, enjoy this time. It won't last forever. Little children grow up and they older they get, the more time you will have for your own pursuits. You will have a chance to get back to your career. For now, make an effort to keep your skills, knowledge and connections in tact to help smooth your transition back into the workforce when the time comes.

Hannah Morris is the owner of HBM Human Resources & Career Consulting based in Charleston, SC. She has 15 years of experience in Human Resources management, recruiting and career counseling. Additionally she is the owner of Pots & Petals, a gardening business that she has started while being a stay-at-home mom.

My iRelaunch co-founder and I recently heard from two acquaintances who landed jobs using some of our favorite strategies. Although their stories are unique, their strategies can be used by almost anyone. Here are their stories and strategies:

Erica's story (Erica is a 15-year Wall Street veteran who had taken a long career break):

"After 9 years out of the corporate world raising my family, I interviewed intensely for months with several financial services firms, only to have each job filled by an internal person who was about to lose his/her job. So I decided to switch angles. I volunteered for Resources for Children with Special Needs as a Parent Educator (I have a special needs child myself, and they had been extremely helpful to me in the past), and after the agency received additional funding they offered me the choice of a full-time or part-time job as a Parent Educator. I opted for a part-time position, since my youngest still requires homework attention and transportation to after-school activities, and the agency was willing to accommodate me. At Resources, I work with parents and conduct workshops. Recently, I've been busy giving presentations about the agency at Department of Education fairs and conferences. I never thought I would end up in this field. However, I find it extremely rewarding and love the flexibility."

Strategy: Volunteer for an organization you like. When a paid position opens up, you'll be well-positioned to get hired.

Martine's story (Martine worked in the financial services industry for almost 10 years prior to becoming a career counselor and career coach five years ago)

"After running my own career counseling and coaching business, I have accepted a position with a university career office focusing on MBA students as a career consultant and program director. I'll work four days a week during the fall and winter recruiting seasons and 2-3 days a week during late spring, summer and holidays. It's pretty flexible and fits my needs at this time. I got the job by simply emailing the director my resume. I wasn't responding to an ad or posting. I just researched them and thought I would be a good match. It turns out, they were actually expanding the office without advertising, called me a week later for a phone interview, invited me in for a face-to-face, and then offered me a job right then and there. It was a unique situation, but I'm certainly glad I took the initiative to contact them."

Strategy: Research organizations you're interested in. Pinpoint the department where you think you're a fit, and email the department head a brief cover letter, along with your resume. This strategy works more often than you might think, but is best suited to targeting smaller companies, nonprofits and educational institutions.

Note: The names and university mentioned have been changed for privacy reasons.

Originally posted on Yahoo Shine.

Carol Fishman Cohen and Vivian Steir Rabin are the co-authors of the acclaimed career reentry book Back on the Career Track: A Guide for Stay-at-Home Moms Who Want to Return to Work, and the co-founders of iRelaunch, a company that produced career reentry programming, events, and content for employers, universities, organizations and individuals. Download our webinar on LinkedIn. If you're on career break in the Tri-State area, register for our Career Relaunch Forum October 29, 2009 at Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ. Carol and Vivian can be reached at info@iRelaunch.com.

"But who would want to hire me? I'm not worth anything, am I? Really?"

This is a question I hear over and over from women who have chosen to stay at home to raise their families. They've made big contributions to our society, often unrecognized and unpaid, and are now ready to become significant contributors in our workforce.

Here are 5 specific reasons why returning Moms make the best employees:

1. Professionalism: She will not distract your clients from the business at hand by showing her cleavage, tattoos, body piercings, flip flops, by flipping her hair, or saying "UM" or "LIKE..."

2. Schedule Coordination: You will never meet a professional better equipped to manage multiple schedules than a Mom. Conflicting sports and activities, travel schedules along with the huge amounts of paperwork associated with each, make them pros at this. As a matter of fact, they are so adept at this that they know how to face complete chaos in a calm and professional manner.

3. Organizational Ability: None of the above happens without keen planning. Uniforms must be washed; bags must be packed- water bottles, completed homework, snacks and sunscreen, permission slips and bathing, including checking/ clipping 20 finger/toenails per person must happen in advance. If one detail is missed, the entire schedule can fall apart and they will be called on the carpet- either by a disappointed child (much more painful than a disapproving boss), or by a school and/or coach (too embarrassing to mention). The level of accountability far surpasses any business environment I have ever worked in, which includes Fortune 100 companies.

4. Loyalty: If any one demographic knows and understands the importance of loyalty and "giving back", this is it. These women know how to appreciate a job and flexibility. As an employer, if you can offer what this employee needs, you will get it back four-fold. They will treat your business as though it is theirs. And they will tell all their friends about you- so you see? Free marketing built right in!

5. People Management: Anyone who has ever managed people knows that one of the most difficult groups to manage has to be volunteers. The variety of personalities and agendas among people who are not being paid and are emotionally involved could drive a person nuts. The volunteer leader's intuitive ability to "see all sides" and maintain harmony within a group like this is definitely worthy of international acclaim. And, they know how to manage their own demographic, in addition to understanding how the minds of the Millennials and Gen Y-s tick!

Here's some more good news: There are companies out there looking for our demographic. They are not opposed to flexibility, and they do recognize our value. So when you're out there, be sure to find the right "fit"- a company or organization that understands and appreciates your value, and respects your experience. That's where you'll be the happiest, and you deserve that!

Linda Waters is a wife, mother, career coach, and the founder of Back to Business LLC. Located in Franklin, Massachusetts, Back to Business provides a full range of services for women returning to the workforce or seeking a better professional "fit" and more fulfilling career. By providing powerful self-assessments, career exploration and coaching, resume and interview preparation, and professional image development, Back to Business helps women reach their goals with clarity and confidence.

For more information, check out www.backtobusiness.org or call 508-520-4100.

© Copyright 2009 Back to Business LLC, All rights reserved

Here I sit – my one-month old sleeping peacefully beside me, my three-year-old napping in the next room - as a giant pile of laundry waits to be folded. Rather than tackle the apparel threatening to overtake my bed, I flip open my laptop and catch up on blogging.

I vowed at the beginning of my maternity leave that I wouldn't let my creative juices run dry just because I wasn't at the office. If anything, I decided to use this time to branch out into new areas of creativity, making connections with new publications, blogs and websites, and hopefully jazzing up my resume in the process.

Don't get me wrong – between two kids, I am finding it a bit more difficult than I anticipated to devote time each day to writing projects. So I pride myself on even just 15 minutes spent writing or connecting with new people about writing.

In the time I've enjoyed at home, I've come across a number of websites that I highly recommend. They keep me entertained; connected to people in my profession; and abreast of the latest events in my area, as well as the world. Here they are in no particular order:

Mamasource
This site, affiliated with Mamapedia.com, is a great go-to space for any question you can think of regarding just about anything you can think of. Simply create an account, post a query based on your zip code, and watch the responses/recommendations flood in. Most queries are parenting-related, but I have also found my lawn service via Mamasource, as well as gotten advice on a number of pregnancy-related topics.

Mamasource.com is currently looking for bloggers to be featured on Mamapedia.com, on Twitter, and via its daily e-newsletter – a great way to get some blogging under your belt and help other moms in the process. Follow @mamasource on Twitter for more info, or contact Mary McBride at blog@corp.mamasource.com for more information.

Twitter
And speaking of Twitter, it is now my (@SmyrnaGirl) favorite social networking website, hands down. My time is limited, so 140 characters worth of communication is just right for my attention span. There are definitely some things to know about how to use the site, but you can easily pick them up once you start following people, and gain followers yourself. Connections begin to snowball once you start sending out updates. A few of my favorite people to follow, in terms of staying connected to like-minded professionals, are @StephanieALlyod, @RachelWriter, @swfrost, and @Keppie_Careers. This is based on the fact that they tweet useful information often.

It was through Twitter that I found out about my very first tweetup – the Atlanta Chicks Tweetup, a networking event hosted by the first three ladies mentioned above, taking place July 16th in Buckhead. Visit http://anyvite.com/0kum8ug60l for more info.

There are also some great people/organizations to follow that will help keep you informed of family friendly activities in the metro area, such as @AtlantaParent, @centennial_park, @downtown_atl, @PopRadar, and @ATLINtownPaper.

Of course there are also LinkedIn, Facebook and MySpace – though some techies are quick to relegate it to the same bin that contains NetScape and AOL. All three are great tools for keeping in touch with professional and personal acquaintances.

You might find yourself becoming addicted to any of these sites if the only person you've got to talk to all day is your newborn!

Contributed by Jenn Dennard, http://jenniferdennard.blogspot.com and http://www.twitter.com/SmyrnaGirl.

Does the thought of getting out there and networking leave you cold?

Networking scares most people. And, many people aren't even sure what it means..

These days, networking can mean anything from meeting someone for an informal interview to asking for an introduction to someone you've never met on LinkedIn.

They say that "true" networking really only happens in person, and I agree. However, a solid networking strategy includes both in-person and online activity.

So let's take a look at some different forms of networking, and tips for success:

1. In-person networking:

One-on-One:

• Be clear on what you'd like to accomplish in your meeting before you ask for it.
• Research the person you'll be meeting with beforehand. You can use Google or LinkedIn to find out more about them. This will give you a good idea of their history, and time to develop a few "talking points" and questions.
• Remember that you've asked for their time, so use it wisely. When you sit down, ask how much time you'll have together. The speed of your conversation will vary greatly if they tell you that they only have ½ hour...
• Have a business card and/ or resume to hand to them.
• Ask open-ended questions like "Tell me what you do?" or, "How did you get started"? "or "What new projects are you working on?" or "Who is your ideal client?" or, "How are you growing your business this year"?
• If you check your watch, be sure to let them know that it's because you want to respect their time.
• Begin with finding out more about them.
• Try to find points in common.
• Be professional and avoid "TMI" (too much information") in the first meeting. While they want to learn about you, they do not need to know your life story.
• If there are any follow- up items, be sure to recap them before the meeting ends.
• Be sure to thank them for their time, and follow up promptly with either with an email or hand- written note. Hand-written notes are the most impressive.

"Group" Networking: This can be anything from a meeting at BNI, a local Chamber of Commerce meeting, or Special Interest Group (a Mom's Club, a Committee, etc.)

• Research the group beforehand. Are they entrepreneurs? Stay-at-home Moms? Local Business people?
• What's the mission of the group?
• You can usually expect to be asked to stand up and introduce yourself. Most people hate this part for themselves, but we all like to hear what others have to say...
• Know what message you want to convey about yourself- be prepared with your "elevator pitch". This is the 30-60 second summary of what you're all about.
• Tailor your "elevator pitch" for the group, in terms of the value you can bring to the group.
• Prepare for this as you would prepare for a speech, because it really is a "micro-speech". So plan it and practice it. Your elevator pitch should include:

o Your name and business
o The type of resultsyou get for your clients
o Why your'e offering is different.
o How what you offer could potentially benefit them and their clients
o Don't be afraid to show your personality!

If you feel nervous about in- person networking:

• Try shifting your focus outward, to the other person or people. Think of ways you could help them. Sometimes, when you get down to it, you'll find that you can help them more than they can help you!
• Remember they have no intention of judging you; they simply want to learn more about you and in a networking group, they're trying to figure out how they can help you.
• As you're talking with someone, remember to be kind. You may not realize this, but just about everyone has something difficult going on in their lives- they could have a sick parent or child, they could have recently had their heart broken, their business could be in trouble - You just never know, and in a networking environment, you probably won't. But there is always something going on for them.

In-Person Networking Etiquette: It's all in the details!

• Dress professionally.
• Get there early.
• Check your appearance, both front and back using a hand mirror.
• Wash your hands to avoid a clammy handshake.
• Give a firm handshake.
• Make great eye contact.
• Pronounce your name clearly and repeat theirs.
• Smile.
• Wear your nametag on your right lapel.
• Respect their personal space.
• Listen, and think of ways you could help them.
• Turn your cell phone OFF before the meeting. Better yet, leave it in the car.

2. Online, or "Social" networking:

Like it or not, it's here to stay, and it's a very important component of your overall networking strategy. Online or "social" networking can be a great way to develop "warm leads", make new connections and find people you may have lost track of.
• Learn the online "thing". Explore LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.
• LinkedIn is considered the most professional of online networking tools.
• Be aware of, and be careful of whom you network with.
• Keep it clean!
• Do NOT use it as a sales tool. That's the fastest way to be removed from someone's list.
• Online networking should not be your sole networking "tool".

If online networking seems daunting to you:

• Take a class. There are many LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter classes available online. Back to Business will have our own online classes, soon!
• Some of the classes are better than others, and have different focuses, so take more than one.
• Play with it, and form a "buddy group" that can practice sending introductions, asking for introductions, etc. before you "go live".
• It's ok to start small, but do get started. Don't be self-conscious. Remember, everyone has to start somewhere...
• Keep your content professional, and never post anything that you wouldn't be proud to see on a billboard, with your picture attached!
• Learn about and use privacy settings.
• A professional picture helps, particularly when you're in job search "mode"

Linda Waters is a working Mom, career coach, and the founder of Back to Business, LLC. Located in Franklin, Massachusetts, Back to Business provides a full range of services for women returning to the workforce or seeking a better professional "fit" and more fulfilling career. By providing powerful self-assessments, career exploration and coaching, resume and interview preparation, and professional image development, Back to Business helps women reach their goals with clarity and confidence.

For more information on how you can get Back to Business, check out www.backtobusiness.org or call 508-520-4100.

©2009 Back to Business, LLC All rights reserved

Full-time moms have noble jobs: they're skilled protectors, counselors and comforters. Many moms also acquire skills that could prove valuable in the workplace, career experts say, but often go overlooked. Experts say moms re-entering the workforce should underscore such skills, which may include managing household budgets, serving in leadership positions in community and/or school groups, and multi-tasking.

If you're a mother re-entering the workforce, heed that advice and the following tips from Bonnie D. Monych, president of The New Workplace Inc., in Houston, and Allison O'Kelly, CEO of MomCorps, an Atlanta-based staffing firm.

1. Mind your psyche-it needs to be right. Be clear before you begin and ask yourself, "Why am I doing this [re-entering the workforce]? What do I need in terms of flexibility and compensation? What will I do and what won't I do?" Monych said.

2. Be realistic. "If you can only work 30 hours a week, don't go to a company that doesn't have flexible opportunities. Maybe you'll have to look at different, more flexible companies," O'Kelly said.

3. Get up to speed on what's happening in your field and polish your skills. Educate yourself about the news, trends and regulations affecting your industry. For example, an accountant could get familiar with Sarbanes-Oxley regulations, while a graphic artist might learn the most current software programs. O'Kelly said employers can grow disinterested if you're not current with industry regulations or required skill-sets.

4. Re-enter the network world. Get yourself back out there doing networking, attending professional association meetings and talking to people.

5. Practice interviewing. Ask friends to help you with practice questions and role-playing.

6. Update your resume. Use a functional resume, not a chronological resume; this way, you're not emphasizing how long you've been away, you're emphasizing your skill-sets, according to Monych.

7. Don't apologize for taking time off to be with your children. Give it the emphasis it needs and don't underplay it. You should be proud of it and stress the skills that make you the right person for the position. Apologizing can make you an unattractive job candidate; it's not the way for a mom to re-enter the workforce.

8. Consider contracting. Instead of re-entering the workforce as a full-time employee, working on contract is an effective way to prove your skills and abilities and show you can get a job done, according to O'Kelly. It also goes on your resume as recent experience and could lead to permanent work.

9. Go shopping. "Don't pull a suit out of your closet you wore six years earlier. You want to make sure you present yourself as a current professional," O'Kelly said. Re-enter the shopping world.

Use these nine tips to prepare for getting back into the workplace, and you'll be prepared to re-enter with confidence and style.

Written originally for w2wlink.com by Kristina Cowan. Join us for more great articles like this!

www.w2wlink.com is the premier community dedicated to professional women, helping you get to where you're going - faster. We provide you expert knowledge, tools to overcome obstacles, and connection with others in our online groups.

Hot Topics: women in leadership, women entrepreneurs, work life balance, women owned business, conferences for women and networking.

How far are you willing to go to stand out from the pool of equally qualified candidates - let alone, help your husband do so?!

After her husband graduated from Georgetown in 2008 with his MBA and found himself in the middle of an economic and employment crisis, one woman stepped in to help him land a new job. With the launch of myhusbandneedsajob.com, she has brought numerous job leads her husband's way and landed the two of them on CNN!

Click here to read about her creative and gutsy way to get noticed. What extremes have you gone to in order to find a job in this economy? We want to know!