Let Go of My Leg!

by Kirsten Lees

"... the perfect way to kick-start a brilliant new career" - Junior

Shall I go back to work or not? And if so, do I want to go back to the same kind of job? How do I negotiate the kind of contract that will work for me? Or is this my chance to do something completely different? How do I convince an employer that I'll be a valuable asset, despite having different priorities? And what about all the practicalities, has the world of work changed - will I cope?

Whether you have been out of the workforce for one year or ten, Let go of my leg! is a unique, no-nonsense and extremely practical look at the transition from kitchen to office.

Let go of my leg! takes you through every stage of the decision making process. It will help you find answers to questions such as : is work the right decision for you and your family? Whether to go back to where you left off or set out in a new direction? To work from home or found a new business venture? It then takes you through the whole process of where to start looking for a job; putting together a convincing cv career gap and all; how to get all the help you need and finally what to tell the children?

Let go of my leg! is packed with advice from leading employers, recruitment consultants and stories of what more than fifty women have done and how it has worked for them. This straight-talking guide will help you tackle all aspects of returning to work, surviving the juggle and making it work for you and your family.

Author as expert, The Irish Independent

"this straight forward guide covers everything" - Angels & Urchins, December 2006

"the perfect way to kick-start a brilliant new career" - Junior Magazine, February 2007

"Drawing on experiences of many women from all walks of life, its straightforward, no-nonsense approach is to be commended. This book is so good that I've read it several times already - and I don't have any children" - New Check for Careers Professionals

Author Kirsten Lees comes equipped with a raft of qualifications to write such a book. She has successfully juggled a 20-year business career with a busy family life. With two children already under her belt and a third on the way, Kirsten is your ideal supporter on the sidelines, cheering you on back to the workplace (on your terms) with sensible and practical advice and encouragement.

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Section 1: Getting back out there

Chapter 1 What do I want from work?

Chapter 2 Flexible working

Section 2: Finding and getting the job you want

Chapter 3 Making a start if its been a long time

Chapter 4 Where to look for the right job for you

Chapter 5 Putting your CV together and preparing for the interview

Chapter 6 Starting out on your own: freelance or your own business

Chapter 7 How about not getting a job? Not jobs

Section 3: On the home front

Chapter 8 Forget superwoman get the help you need

Chapter 9 Childcare

Chapter 10 A word about the children

Chapter 11 Finally a word about you