Whether you're a working mom looking to cut back, or a stay-at-home mom ready to rejoin the workforce, you're probably looking at part-time jobs. 80 percent of working moms with minor children would rather not work full time, according to a Pew Research Center survey.
But part-time jobs that pay well are scarce. And many of the work-from-home offers turn out to be scams. Fortunately, several Web sites have sprung up to match professionals – mostly working moms – with project-based or part-time jobs. Whether you want to work from home or get back into an office, start here. One tip: try a company in your region first.
1. Mom Corps
One source of part-time jobs is Atlanta-based Mom Corps, which offers free registration for individuals, although you can pay for prominent display of your resume.
Once registered, you can search Mom Corps' board of flexible and part-time jobs, apply for positions and receive weekly notifications of new job listings.
2. Flexperience Consulting or Flexperience Staffing
Flexperience Consulting places highly experienced professionals, primarily for part-time jobs or project work around the agency's San Francisco Bay area headquarters.
You apply through the Web site and depending on your qualifications, Flexperience will follow up and keep you posted of future job opportunities. The service is free for candidates, who become Flexperience employees if placed.
3. On-Ramps
On-Ramps is a New York-based recruiting and consulting firm that places individuals in part-time, project-based, and full-time assignments. You register via the On-Ramps Web site, giving personal information, employment and educational history, and your resume.
4. Flexible Resources
For 20 years, Stamford, Conn.- based Flexible Resources has recruited and placed job candidates in part-time, project-based or flexible assignments. You can send a resume to the office nearest you and view a sample of job postings on the Web site.
5. Flexible Executives
Flexible Executives, based in Atlanta, matches work-at-home projects with executives who have 10 years experience or more. Flexible Executives charges a hefty, one-time application fee to cover a background check and resume verification.
6. FlexWork Connection
FlexWork Connection is a recruiting and consulting firm that places professionals with 10 or more years of experience. The company specializes in project-based or flexible positions in Southern California. You can register and maintain your profile through the Web site.
7. The Career Partners
Based in El Segundo, Calif., the Career Partners recruits and matches job-share teams to fill professional positions that pay over $100,000 a year, usually in the senior leadership of a company. You can apply for a job-share position through the Career Partners or propose converting your existing job to a share. You can also browse job share opportunities at the Web site. If you’re placed, you pay part of your salary for ongoing coaching services aimed at ensuring the arrangement succeeds.
8. JobShare Connection
Based in Clearwater, Fla., JobShare Connection helps individuals connect with each other as partners in a job share or potential share. You sign up for free and post details of your position and hours desired. Then it’s up to you to find a company that will take on a job-share team, or propose the arrangement to your current employer. You can also download a guide to pitching a job share.9. NeedleStack Jobs
10. Monster and Other Job Boards
When looking for part-time jobs, make sure to search Monster, CareerBuilder and other job boards for flexible work. Or, find a position that you like and ask whether it could work as a part-time job of a job share. (It's best to ask once you've made it pretty far in the interview process. Or even received an offer.)11. Your Current Employer
I'd be remiss not to suggest the first place you should look for part-time work: your current employer. If you can negotiate flexible hours at your existing job, you may be able to retain your seniority, some benefits, and job continuity. Most importantly, you won't have to prove yourself and learn a new position at the same time you're making the transition to part-time work.
Starting at a new company is stressful and demanding, so it's best to avoid it, if possible. Even if your employer has never offered part-time jobs before, it doesn't hurt to ask. You might get what you want and pave the way for other working parents in the organization to win flexible work.
