Juggling working with being a mum? Follow these practical tips to get the most out of both

BEING a mum might be the most important job in the world but it can be tricky to juggle your career alongside your new bundle.

Whether you’re looking to get back to work after a break or are keen to set up your own business, we’re here to help — with tips from Dragon’s Den star Sarah Willingham and Solihull Jobcentre Plus work coach Imrana Alam.

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Mum-of-four Sarah has recently partnered with internet provider Plusnet as part of its Plusnet Pioneers campaign.

She said: “I wouldn’t give up my kids for anything, but one thing I’m sure about is that motherhood shouldn’t come at the expense of following your career goals.

“I’ve pulled together some useful tips that I have learned along the way which will hopefully put you on the right track to starting your own business.”

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Minister for Employment Damian Hinds added: “Juggling a job with being a new parent can be tough but as Imrana’s tips show, there’s a huge amount of practical advice out there to help mums get back into work.

“Not only does having a job provide your family with a stable income, it’s also a great way to meet people and learn new skills.”

Hol of a chance

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If you are waiting for a career in the travel industry to take off, check out Thomas Cook.

The holiday firm has 120 retail apprenticeship positions to fill across the UK, plus vacancies at its Peterborough head office in Digital Marketing, HR, Finance, and IT.

The two-year Travel Consultant apprenticeship give you work experience and skills while completing a level 2 and 3 nationally recognised qualification in travel services.

Lyndsey Barnett, 26, from Riddings, Derbyshire, became a Thomas Cook apprentice after leaving school at 18.

She says: “I’m now training our current apprentices. I love my job. It’s so rewarding to see them go on to become amazing travel sales consultants.”

Reckon sire's fit to hire

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Workshy Prince William hit the headlines last week with a boozy ski trip to Switzerland. But is it his CV holding him back from stable employment?

Here, JOHN LEES, author of Knockout CV, reviews our imagined version.

Name: William Arthur Philip Louis Mountbatten-Windsor

Date of Birth: June 21, 1982

Address: Kensington Palace

Personal statement: A barely motivated individual with expert knowledge of posh ski resorts.

Education: Eton College – 12 GCSEs, three A-levels. University of St Andrews – 2.1 in geography.

Work experience: 2006-2008 – Army second lieutenant; 2009-12 – RAF flight lieutenant; 2014-17 – air-ambulance pilot; 2017-present – career break.

VERDICT

First impressions – confidant but relies a bit on surname and home address to impress.
Work history – unexplained career gaps, may be hard to retain.
Key messages – expects to rise straight to top. Would do well on The Apprentice.

Totting up home-working

Political science professor Robert E. Kelly became a viral sensation when his kids crashed his BBC interview.

But many parents who work from home can sympathise with being interrupted by children.

A third of respondents in a Morgan Lovell survey said kids are the biggest distraction when working from home.

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Nearly as many have been interrupted by a crying child while on a work call.

Other disturbances were from pets (18 per cent), flatmates (18 per cent) and noisy neighbours (16 per cent).

Of those unable to work from home, nine per cent chose not to because of a fear of distractions and a further 44 per cent were not allowed to by their bosses.

Sam Sahni, of Morgan Lovell, said: “With technology supporting employees anytime, anywhere and businesses becoming more flexible, it has driven activity away from the office.

“But with flexibility comes responsibility – we know there are distractions, we just need to create strategies to minimise them.”