Looking for a new job while on mat leave?

[PumpkinPie2013]

Hi

Also posted in Employment Issues but decided to try here as well.

Just wondered if anyone has any experience of this and are willing to share?

Basically, I work at place X and have done, very successfully for 3 years. I am having my first baby in Dec so will be on maternity leave.

Now, I quite like my job at X and have always got on well with my manager but there are going to be a lot of changes to things generally and some of these will affect me. Also, I do feel I've reached a ceiling at X so to speak.

With these things in mind I'm thinking of using my time away to effectively 're-evaluate' things and probably look for another job for when I'm ready to return to work. I understand I will have to repay enhanced maternity pay if I do find another post and have accounted for this.

Has anyone else done this? How did you find it? I feel it would be good to start a new role at the end of my leave instead of returning to my current one. It's just all a bit scary!! Any tips/experiences appreciated! TIA

[chanie44]

I haven't experience of this. I did however go for a new job whilst on mat leave, but didn't get it.

My concerns would be:

1. the new place may not be prepared to wait for you to start if you are on mat leave. Granted, some people are on 3 months notice, but 6-9 months is a long time.
   
   
2. you won't know the culture of the new company. They may only pay lip service to being family friendly, expect you to stay late etc. you may not find these things out until you are there.
   
   
3. don't under estimate the support of your line manager. A supportive manager is worth their weight in gold.
   
   
4. adjusting back to work is difficult if you have been off work. I remember it took me months to get back into the swing of writing reports and letters. Plus I was emotional leaving my baby and commuting tired me out. Starting a new job with people you dog know could be stressful.
   
   I'm not saying you shouldn't give it ago, but don't under estimate what a big change you are about to have. Have a look around and see if anything interesting comes up, but think about your work life balance.

[dontyouknow]

Agree with what chanie has said - I would be tempted to go back and get back into working and juggling childcare, then look for another job if you want. Would also get to keep the extra maternity pay.

A new job could be great, could be OK, could be dreadful - a big change on top of a new baby!

Also, this might sound a bit pathetic but you might feel that having an "easy" job where you have reached a ceiling is quite a good idea for a while at least when first back from maternity leave, rather than a new challenging job where you are having to prove yourself.

[PumpkinPie2013]

Oops forgot I posted this!

Thank you to you both for your thoughts - very helpful.

As it happens think I will be staying put for at least a year after my leave

Partly due to the need to get used to working with a baby and keeping maternity pay but also because of a meeting this week which means I will have new, more challenging things to work on and lead when I get back and I really feel I'll be able to develop them and they'll be solely 'mine' going to do 2 KIT days before I go back to get started - actually quite excited!

Thanks again