Maintaining a work/life balance can be hard, especially if you’re a mom. But whether you’re returning to work after a career break or looking for something more flexible for your family, the following guide has 25 mom-friendly career paths to consider this year.
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Top 25 Jobs for Moms: Flexible and Career-Friendly Options
Here are 25 of the best careers for mothers. If you’re stay-at-home and work-from-home, part-time to full-time, experienced or not, you’re certain to find the right fit.
Job opportunities for stay-at-home moms
Being a stay-at-home mom doesn’t mean you have to stay out of the workforce. There are many job opportunities that are freelance, home-based, or independently scheduled.
Additionally, you’ve likely gained some of the needed skills while raising your children and helping them with their homework.
| Job title | Skills needed |
|---|---|
| Virtual assistant | Computer skills, organization, scheduling, data entry, communication, email management, time management, customer service |
| Freelance writer | Written communication, computer skills, research, SEO, fact-checking, editing, content strategy, time management |
| Online tutor | Lesson planning, video conferencing, communication, subject matter expertise, student engagement, patience |
| Bookkeeper | Mathematics, data entry, QuickBooks, Microsoft Excel, budgeting, tax documentation, attention to detail, bank reconciliation |
| Proofreader | Editing, grammar, punctuation, spelling, fact-checking, Microsoft Word, Google Docs, attention to detail |
Work-from-home jobs for moms seeking flexibility
Remote jobs are great for single moms or any parent looking for a more flexible schedule. Instead of having set office hours, you can plan your day around school drop-offs, appointments, and those unexpected messes and meltdowns.
| Job title | Skills needed |
|---|---|
| Customer service representative | Communication, customer relationship management, email, chat, and phone support, conflict resolution, problem-solving, CRM software |
| Social media manager | Content creation, scheduling, analytics, short-form video, marketing strategy, community management |
| Web developer | HTML, CSS, JavaScript, WordPress, GIT, API integration, SEO, UX, UI, debugging, project management |
| Graphic designer | Adobe Suite, Canva, typography, layout, photo editing, visual storytelling, branding |
| Translator | Language proficiency, written and verbal communication, cultural sensitivity, remote collaboration |
Part-time jobs for moms that fit around family life
A part-time job can help you balance motherhood with your career. Look for part-time roles that offer shorter shifts, school-hour schedules, or part-time contracts.
| Job title | Skills needed |
|---|---|
| Substitute teacher | Classroom management, behavior management, attendance tracking, conflict resolution, communication, adaptability, relationship building |
| Teacher assistant | Lesson plans, classroom organization, educational technology, record keeping, communication, patience |
| Fitness instructor | Personal training, strength training, safety, motivation, communication, progress tracking, nutrition, wellness |
| Dental hygienist | HIPAA compliance, preventative care, patient education, equipment sterilization, dental radiography |
| Library assistant | Customer service, cataloging, database systems, organization, record keeping, inventory management, research |
Best jobs for moms returning to work after a career break
If you logged professional experience before taking some time off to focus on family, then you have a wealth of valuable transferable skills to lean into.
The following are a few examples of transferable skills, whether you worked in these fields before or you’re interested in entering them.
| Job title | Skills needed |
|---|---|
| HR specialist | Communication, conflict resolution, problem-solving, relationship building, confidentiality, organization, negotiation, active listening |
| Project manager | Leadership, organization, planning, problem-solving, communication, delegation, time management, budgeting, risk management, adaptability |
| Accountant | Analytical thinking, attention to detail, organization, data analysis, problem-solving, critical thinking, confidentiality, mathematics |
| Market research analyst | Research, data analysis, critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, presentation skills, attention to detail, strategic thinking |
| Nurse | First aid, communication, empathy, crisis management, problem-solving, attention to detail, stress management, triage, conflict resolution, collaboration |
Careers for mothers that don’t require work experience
If you feel like you’re starting a career from scratch, don’t worry. There are many jobs requiring no experience that can help you re-enter the workforce, change careers, and build new skills. Look for entry-level listings or roles that offer on-the-job training.
| Job title | Skills needed |
|---|---|
| Retail sales associate | Customer service, communication, relationship building, POS systems, CRM systems, E-commerce platforms |
| Hotel front desk agent | Customer service, problem-solving, scheduling, POS systems, folio management |
| Delivery driver | Time management, route planning, logistics, safety, GPS navigation, Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs), mobile dispatch systems, delivery tracking |
| Pharmacy technician | Attention to detail, accuracy, data entry, insurance claims processing, inventory, HIPAA, medication dispensing, labeling, controlled-substance documentation |
| Personal care aide | Compassion, active listening, communication, problem-solving, first aid, CPR, emergency response, medical terminology, care plan documentation |
Mom-Friendly Benefits to Look for in Your Next Job
In a survey published by Executive Moms, 63% of mothers highlighted “flexible work design”1 as one of the most important workplace features. Flexible schedules and remote or hybrid work environments allow busy moms to set unique hours that work around their family’s schedule.
In addition to flexibility, look for jobs with additional benefits that can make parenthood easier:
- Generous paid time off (PTO) for sick days, appointments, personal time, and vacations.
- Substantial insurance that won’t leave you paying high deductibles or co-pays for healthcare for your family; also look for vision and dental benefits.
- Childcare, in the form of onsite daycares, reimbursement, or flexible spending accounts.
- Opportunities for growth, such as on-the-job training, continuing education, and career advancement.
How To Find a Job After Time Away From Work
Parental leave can result in career gaps. The good news is that gaps aren’t the red flags they used to be. With the following steps, you can leverage your time away and make a comeback with confidence.
1. Update your resume for today’s job market
A resume that has been sitting on your hard drive often needs a refresh before you send it out again. Update your experience and skills. Remove outdated information, such as high school details, work experience from too long ago, or outmoded tech certificates.
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2. Address your career break with confidence
Frame gaps as opportunities for growth. Maybe you pursued some certifications or schooling during your gap, or took on freelance or gig work. This fills the gap with new skills.
Even if you didn’t, family leave demonstrates responsibility, work/life balance, and other transferable skills. Travel, cultural experiences, or volunteering you might have done with family also bring potential skills.
You don’t have to hide your career break, but you should also avoid over-explaining. Keep explanations brief and positive. There’s no need to mention short breaks that lasted just a few months.
3. Highlight transferable skills you already have
Your previous work and other experiences are full of transferable skills. Beyond employment, think of skills you’ve learned through volunteering, freelance work, caregiving, courses you’ve taken, and personal projects.
4. Learn the skills employers are looking for now
If there’s a misalignment between the skills you have and the skills you need for the job you want, you can address them by taking short courses, often offered online. Look for gaps in your digital skills, software proficiency, AI tools, or industry-specific knowledge.
5. Consider whether it’s time for a career change
Before you fill out that first job application, you have a decision to make: will you return to your previous field or explore a new career? You may find that a new career better fits your current priorities.
6. Refresh your LinkedIn profile
Once you’ve updated your resume, use it to optimize your LinkedIn profile. Today, this is a key way for employers to find you. When you turn on the “Open to work” feature, it shows you’re actively looking for new opportunities.
Just like your resume, you should update your experience, skills, and certifications. You can even add in those career breaks discussed above. ResumeCoach’s LinkedIn Analyzer tool can help you spot portions of your profile that need improvement.
7. Rebuild your professional network
While you’re on LinkedIn, take a few minutes to reconnect with former colleagues. Post regularly, and comment on the posts of others. You can also reignite your professional network in the real world by joining professional communities and attending industry events.
Frequently Asked Questions
Websites like HireMyMom and The Mom Project are specifically designed for moms looking for flexible work arrangements. They can help you connect with companies seeking talented professionals for remote roles.
Many high-paying jobs fit well with remote or hybrid schedules. For example, human resources managers and marketing managers often make over $100,000 per year. Technical writers, UX researchers, and insurance underwriters are near the six-figure mark, and bookkeepers often clear $50,000 per year.
Yes, you can highlight transferable skills gained through full-time family caregiving. Include a career break in your experience section and showcase skills like scheduling, budgeting, and time management.
Use professional terminology to describe your duties and their impact. For example, rather than saying you kept house and took care of children, you might say, “Developed systems and routines to organize recurring responsibilities and maintain day-to-day operations.”
Be positive, honest, and brief. Confidently state the reasons for the career break and any skills or takeaways you gained. Avoid negative descriptions and oversharing.
You might consider taking courses in management, technology, or health, such as:
- Google Project Management Certificate
- Google Data Analytics Certificate
- Google IT Support Certificate
- QuickBooks Online certification
- Medical billing and coding certificate
- Pharmacy technician certificate
Examine the job listing, ask the interviewer, or consult current or former employees for the answers to the following questions:
- Will I be able to set my own schedule, or will I have rigid or long hours?
- Am I expected to be on-call or accept work on evenings, weekends, or on short notice?
- Will I be expected to respond to messages outside of working hours?
- Is the work or environment high-pressure?
- Are other benefits, such as PTO, childcare benefits, and insurance on offer?
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Related Blogs
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/report-warns-workplaces-losing-working-090000534.html ↩︎