Kate Sykes, www.careermums.com.au
Kate Sykes started www.careermums.com.au , an online job matching service for mothers returning to the workforce, over a year ago and the business has boomed.
Kate had a background in communications and marketing in Australia and the US and found her way into her new business after having two children.
‘We got in at a good time and it’s a growth area because of the skill shortage. I’m a big believer in networking and mentoring. I started the business and touched base with other recruiters; I have a group of online marketers and we share ideas and tips to better our business.’
She also heads up the Canberra Business Council Workstyles Committee and in her spare time works on a programme that teaches job skills to teenage parents.
What’s your advice to women in finding a family friendly job? Have a game plan. Review your career aspirations and enlist your family and friend’s help for feedback. Review job listings and check your skills against the requirements. Maybe you need to refresh those skills so look for short courses. Revamp or update your resume and angle any unpaid time in terms of the skills involved. For example, helping your partner on book keeping is a transferable skill. Work in a tuck shop shows ability to work as part of a team in a retail environment. Submit a proposal to work flexibly. If you’re staying with an existing employer, work that arrangement out in advance. If it’s a new employer, be clear about the flexibility factor. See if they’re willing to take a full time job and put a part time role to it. Find a family friendly employer – see www.workplace.gov.au and www.eowa.gov.au– and work agencies that promote that type of work – see my site for examples. Another great avenue is your social network. Consider working as a consultant or contractor or do some volunteer work – that can be helpful.
What got you started? I found out about a website in the USA that promotes the same concept. My return-to-work experiences made me aware of how such a service could benefit other parents. After I conducted some research on the Australian market, I saw that there was a gap in the market and a real need for this type of service. I instantly had the passion and drive to make it work.
What’s your biggest life challenge so far? The risk of giving up paid work to pursue a business idea. You have to be confident that your business idea has a market and is going to make money.
What’s your personal challenge with money? I am a natural saver so I don’t run in to too many problems. From a business perspective, it is balancing the cash flow demands of a new business.
What’s your next goal? Personal: house renovations, Business: Steadily build job listings and job seekers. The ultimate challenge for CareerMums is continuously matching supply and demand.