Going back to work after staying home to work and raise babies, tips appreciated!!?

Question

Hi,

I'm going back to work on Monday, doing a job full time in an industry I qualified in last year. I have been working part time from home for the last year and have been a sah mum for 6 yrs. I'm terrified of not being good enough, or quick enough, not fitting in etc. People tend to find me a bit stand offish but I'm just shy.

Any tips for fitting in, avoiding politics, questions to ask or not ask would be really well received!!

Just to add some details, and thank everyone for the responses so far, I'm a fairly young mum (cough) at 27, working on the clothes front (a good idea to put together a 'capsule' wardrobe for the first week?) and will parctice the smile over the next week :)

I'm used to working to my own times and the idea of fulltime with set lunch/break times is daunting so any advice at adapting to that would be great too :)

Answer 1

smile a lot. shy people forget to do this and people can not make as much of an effort if you don't smile. say hello to people, be friendly and if you're invited to lunch or something GO.

it will take time to get your confidence at first and will be hard but you'll adjust in a couple of months.

Answer 2

moomanuk has given great advice. Getting the right clothes will give you a massive confidence boost. Why don't you drop by a decent cosmetic counter in a good department store and get a new work look. Also, a good hair cut will have you bouncing into work.

It might seem superficial, but if the little things are right, you have more confidence to tackle the big things, like actually doing your job.

Don't go in and try to be everyone's friend, just smile, stand back and get the feel for the place, and do your job as well as you can. After 6 months you will feel like you have been there for ever.

Also for the first few weeks don't try to be super mum making great dinners, and keeping the house spotless. Let them all eat take aways for a week while you get back on your feet, it won't kill them.

Answer 3

Also, if you've been out of the work force for that long, you might take a quick look at your wardrobe just to see if anything is way too out of style. Update it enough for the first week, then gradually expand it. Also check the latest trends in hair and makeup. I know that hasn't been a priority for a while now, but first impressions are pretty important.

Personally, ask more questions than you answer and you'll always be popular.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

Don't worry. Sah moms are awesome when they return to the workplace! You have a wealth of experience that many of the others don't. They will be suprised by your competence. Try to avoid politics as much as possible. If you have a good boss, trust him or her. If the rest of the crew is all young, you may feel pressure to be the "Office Mom". If you don't want that to happen, you will have to watch for it.

Answer 6

Make a big effort on the first day to avoid the shyness even if it is not natural or easy for you. Go up to people and say "Hi, my name's ......, it's my first day today...." and then talk about whatever it is your job is. You'll get to know a couple of people and you can take it from there.

Goo luck.

Answer 7

Don't let on you are scared of not being good enough etc.
Dress approptiately, watch, listen, learn.
Remember you are as good as anyone there You will soon find you niche, and just be ready to help the next shy newbie.

Answer 8

Don't ever use your 'SAH" situation as an excuse for anything; keep your "stories" to yourself and accept everyone on the same footing until you learn how they are on your own.

Good luck!