Back-to-School Work Hours for Parents

Back to school means a desire or need to go back to work for many parents, but doing so with a flexible schedule — ideally one with hours that mirror the school day — makes life much easier for many families.

A growing group of major employers like Aflac, Cleveland Clinic, Container Store, IKEA, Met Life, among others, have implemented school shifts for full-time positions.

Yet, the reality is these are highly coveted positions that still require a proactive approach to finding them and getting hired.

Check directly with the companies you're interested in. If you're eyeing a particular employer but you're not sure whether it has flexible hours and shifts, first look at the "career or employment" section of its Web site. Usually special perks are often touted if they're available. If you don't see anything — or the company doesn't have a detailed Web site — call. Say you're exceptionally qualified, but before you opt to apply, you are curious to know whether it offers flexible scheduling.

Attend career fairs. Career fairs can be a great place to window shop. I'm gearing up to travel for the next three months for my company's Women for Hire fall career fairs across the country. Even if a company isn't looking for part-timers or to hire people who want flexible schedules, when it meets a great person — and it feels it must have you on the payroll — it will work with you on the scheduling. But it's up to you to position yourself as that "must have, must hire." Google career fairs in your area — and bring a resume and be ready to talk about who you are and what you're looking for. Confidence is a huge factor in striking up successful conversations with recruiters.

Connect with specialized placement agencies. There's a new and quickly expanding crop of headhunters and placement firms that specialize solely in filling openings for companies of all sizes with candidates who only want flexible full-time or part-time assignments.

A word of caution: The biggest mistake applicants make when trying to work with placement agencies is to assume that they're the client. It's the company that's paying a fee for the right candidate that's actually the client. And like any recruiters, agencies are more focused on presenting the most qualified candidates, not on helping you get hired. Recruiters aren't bartenders or best friends; they aren't the people to tell your troubles to. Don't tell them you're a month away from eviction, or that your kids take up all your time. You're selling yourself to these people, and no one wants to buy your baggage. So instead of saying, "What do you have for me," you should take the approach of, "Here's why your clients will want me."