Maternity Leave Letter Template

Having a new baby is a mixed bag of excitement, nerves, overwhelm and a whole lot more, so when it comes to working and preparing for baby, it’s important to take your time, know your rights and do your research.

Jo helps navigate the tricky task of broaching the subject of your new bundle of joy.

Returning to work after maternity (or paternity!) leave is often the best time to consider a career change. If you\'re after a pathway that offers flexibility, support and a way to give back to the community – look no further.

Could you be the next mumpreneur? Julia speaks to successful businesswomen who prove that mums really do make the best multi-taskers.

If your life for the past months or years has been nothing but changing nappies, feeding hungry mouths or ferrying the kids to school, then the thought of getting into a suit and hitting the job trail may seem hugely daunting.

‘I have always been passionate about creating tribes of women, communities of like-minded people.’

Your name is your personal brand so what happens to your career when you change it? Check out our tips for changing your name without damaging your professional reputation and personal brand.

If you’re a mum wanting to get back into the workforce after taking years off to care for your kids, it can be hard to know where to start. Here are some tips to get you started.

Where are you right now in your career? Are you a career shifter or career starter? Our Career Personas will help you define where you are on your career path and the next step to take!

Need to take some time off work but struggling to put this into an email? Use this pre-written email template to explain your situation (without going into too much detail) and to ask for personal leave.

Your team has decided to say no to a big project or client, and it’s your job to send the ‘Thanks but no thanks’ email. Lucky you! We feel your pain – but someone’s gotta do it. Here\'s a pre-written template to let them down gently!

If you’re looking for a new job or putting together an application to head back to school, you\'ve got better things to worry about than how to ask for a letter of recommendation. Here’s an email template that takes the guesswork out of it.

You’ve done your best to deal with a problem in the office, but it’s gotten to the point now where you have no other option but to tell your manager. Here\'s an email template that will give your boss a heads up and lets them know you need to chat.

We’ve all received this kind of email before. You know the one: it makes absolutely no sense and has you (and the rest of your team) scratching your heads and wondering what exactly your colleague or client wants you to do. Here\'s how to respond.

The holidays are over. The year looms ahead. The January blues a weight around your neck. Get your spring back and plan your annual leave smart. Find out here how to get the maximum holiday for the minimum annual leave.

We’re serving up 10 perfectly phrased, concisely written and completely diplomatic email templates to help you conquer your toughest work emails and navigate those awkward work scenarios with the poise and grace of an Email Etiquette Ninja.

Networking is all about the follow-up. But there’s no denying that it can be pretty awkward reaching out to someone you’ve met only once. So, if you’ve struck gold and found someone you want to keep in touch with, here\'s how to reach out to them.

Asking someone to be your mentor is serious stuff – but that doesn’t mean you should shy away from it. Here\'s how to ask someone to be your mentor - and how to convince them that it\'s worth their while.

Stressed out, feeling under the pump or have loads of pressure on you at work? Sound like you're burning out. The answer: Annual leave.

Whether you\'ve taken a break for maternity leave, to recover from illness, or to travel the world, at some point you\'ll need to reenter the workforce. We take a look at how to find a job when you’ve been out of the game for a while.

Whether you're leaving on great terms or can't wait to get the heck out of there, here are the big Dos and Don'ts everyone needs to know when resigning. From giving the required amount of notice to tidying your desk before you go, these tips will help you leave with professional relationships intact!

Resigning is something you need to get right - even if you can't wait to leave your job. Do it the wrong way and the repercussions could impact your future job opportunities. We've put together 5 steps for how to leave your job like a pro and keep your reputation intact.

Are you about to lose your job? If any of these 8 signs sound familiar, you could be skating on thin ice. Take action now to save your job or land yourself a new role before your boss even gets a chance to sit you down for 'You're So Fired' chat.

In life, you have to say no a whole lotta times. So how do you say no, no, no all the time without being a jerk? Here are 49 ways to do just that.

If you’ve ever wondered why so many small businesses fail, and how you can prevent your new small business from following the same path. We’ve got the answers right here.  

New research reveals that in addition to the usual suspects, there are certain triggers that can propel you to start penning your resignation letter. Read on to see if you think you might have one foot out the door sooner than you think.

The speed of change in today’s business world is unrivalled, though they shouldn’t be too concerning if you keep your resume future-proofed. Without the correct preemptive action and additions to your resume, you could really be left behind in your career.

Dealing with rejection is never easy, and when you’ve been sending out job application after application only to receive rejection letters back, it’s easy to get disheartened.

‘I am passionate about teaching people not so much how to cook but how to eat, how to plan a menu for the week, how to stock up their pantry, how to use seasonal produce.\'

A must-read for all managers, our 11 performance reviews do's and don'ts will improve your team's performance, boost motivation and ensure you handle the review process like a pro!

Difficult work conversations: they’re terrifying but inevitable. Here are some tips (and sample scripts) to help you navigate those tough conversations with ease.

You can choose your friends but you can\'t choose your colleagues. It is inevitable that you will come across the workmate from hell (WFH) at some stage in your working life.

Starting a new job? Follow our guidelines and you’ll breeze through your first day with ease.

In order to peacefully work, live and play with our office family we need to follow the unspoken rules of workplace etiquette.

Think you are too old to go back and study? Think again! Deciding to study as a mature age student has so many benefits and is more accessible than you think.

While working in an office environment it’s crucial to meet the dress code. After all, the way colleagues and clients view you can help make or break your professional reputation.

Admitting you\'re a work addict isn\'t easy. Here are 12 signs to snap you out of denial and help you make a change!

Want to see your career take off and have less stress and more energy in your workday? One little word can do that - No. We share why it's so important to say no at work and exactly how to do it - even if you're a YES person!

Asking for a pay rise is one of the more delicate conversations you\'ll ever have with your boss. But before you storm into the manager\'s office waving your latest bank statement, there are a few things you should do to prepare.

A few years back, a Commonwealth public servant was caught faking lung cancer in order to get out of work.

A strong personal brand is the key to personal and professional success. Here’s why - along with 9 great tips to create your own unforgettable brand.

Armed with just a microwave, a trusty old sandwich press, and a whole lotta ingenuity, we’ve created 5 super easy lunch ideas in the Career FAQs kitchen that’ll get your stomach from Monday to Friday!

There are plenty of jet-setting jobs out there to choose from – so if travel is your passion, why not make it your profession as well! See what benefits living abroad can have on your professional and personal life.

What do Stephen King, Mick Jagger and Giorgio Armani have in common? They each made a transformational career change. Is it time for you to do the same? Here are 5 telltale signs

With clients aged 9 to 84, there's no such thing as a typical training session with Shelley. Get motivated by her story to make a difference in your community and read about her highs and lows in the fitness industry and as a small business owner.  

Many of the one million Australians living and working overseas are professionals who have packed up their extensive skills and taken them abroad gaining invaluable career and life experience.

Like any Hollywood love story, an office romance has its dramatic highs and lows. Just make sure it doesn’t get out of control.

To make sure you get off on the right foot this year, we take a look at some work-related New Year’s resolutions that will see you catapulting your way to happiness, health and success.

Thinking of taking an internship in Australia? Read this first. An internship could be the career break you've been waiting for or end up being a big waste of time. Let's take a look at the good, the bad and the ugly of internships.

What's the difference between a manager and a leader? What are the skills of a great leader? How do I become a great manager? We answer all this and more ....

Maintaining a balance between work and life can be tough, especially in today’s fast-paced life. We take a closer look at why having a healthy work-life balance really is so important.

If you are one of the over nine million Australians or 500 million people worldwide who use Facebook, you probably use the social networking site to keep up with your friends, write on each other’s walls and view each other’s photos.

When a sprinter is crossing the line first to claim Olympic gold or a League player is converting the winning try – the last thing on their minds is what career they will pursue once their sporting prowess fades and the next generation steps in.

These are exciting times here at Career FAQs! We’ve just launched our new website, re-designed to make it easier than ever to find course and career information. Take a tour through our new site and discover all the additional features and improvements.

Workplace bullying is more common than many people realise, with WorkSafe’s annual research consistently showing that 14 per cent of Victorian workers had experienced bullying.

Our workspace is our home away from home and putting a bit of thought into your designated area can help you create a little oasis when you’re struggling to meet deadlines and make it to the other side of Friday.

It\'s a direwolf-eat-direwolf world out there. Could the oft-bloodthirsty politics of the leaders of Westeros hold the key to getting ahead?

Politicians have notoriously low job security, so if anyone knows how to get fired and move on, it should be them, right? For better or worse, Marni takes a look at what we can learn from our esteemed leaders of the past.

It’s that time of the year again. Time for the annual performance review. So how can you prepare yourself to get the most out of your review?

If your new year’s resolution is to be happier this year, it’s one thing to say it and another to make it happen. We’ve consulted with happiness expert Dr Timothy Sharp to come up with six easy ways to make this year your happiest yet.

Are you satisfied with your career? What\'s holding you back? In our latest guest post, author Maria Simonelli helps you discover your career \'sweet spot\'.

Your 30s are a great time to invest in yourself so you can continue to reap the rewards later on in your career. Here are 8 career goals to kick when you\'re in your thirties.

Say a lot in only a few words when you learn how to write and deliver the ultimate 30-second elevator pitch. It can be your most powerful tool!

Oops, you did it again. You got wasted at the office Christmas party and made a total drunken fool of yourself. It’s time to go into damage control, with this advice from Jo.

It takes hard work to become a success but it isn't all about the hours you put in. From 1 hour to 10,000, we give you the lowdown on how to improve your performance so you go beyond productive and into the big leagues.

Miner turned UX Designer and Experience Illustrator, Gretta claims to have a "double doctorate in life experience." Having gone through many of life's highs and lows, her journey is one of a kind and truly inspirational.

Stress is no fun at all, and when it starts to build up in the workplace it can influence all areas of your life.  Find out how to manage stress at work right here.

If you are wondering how to stop your commute from eating up your day (and salary) then you are in the right place.  If you can’t find some inspiration on how to make the most of your commute here article we’ll eat our hats!

Saying yes too often at work can really hurt your career growth. With an endless to-do list, sky-high stress levels and colleagues that seem to treat you like a doormat you might be wondering: “Do I say "yes" too much?”

Burnout is serious. It can have a debilitating effect on your career and a full recovery can take months or even years. Prevention is better than the cure and here are 7 signs you’re headed for burnout - don’t ignore them!

Got a big idea and want to turn it into a reality? Are you a natural leader and self-starter? Do you hate the idea of working below someone else? Then you're just the type of person who needs to be their own boss!

Studying law offers you the chance to develop a wide range of skills and explore different aspects of human life, businesses, and society. Here are a few more reasons why studying law in Australia is an excellent choice.

Celebrate workplace friendships and the strong bonds between those we work closely with every day with our 8 awesome (and totally HR friendly) ways to Valentine's Day ideas for the office.

Wondering how you can improve communication in the workplace? Communication is an essential skill that can make the difference between a productive workplace and one struggling to get by. Read these tips to implement the best opportunities for communication.

To celebrate Children’s Week, we find out what the Career FAQs team dreamed of becoming when they were were youngsters with skinned knees and bigs dreams.

How does your work space rate on a scale of calm to crazy? It’s time to revamp your work station using our simple feng shui tips.

What is your body language saying about you at work? Could it be holding you back? Here are a few moves that can give the wrong professional vibe and what to do instead. We've included specific body language tips to help you rock the interview too!

Looking back on her brush with the boss from hell, Josie reflects on what she learned from the experience.

Most new year’s resolutions fall away before the confetti has hit the floor. Marni dishes out some hard truths about why you’ve probably already failed this year. But by all means, prove her wrong. You know you want to.

Not a morning person? Here\'s how to take control of your mornings and have more energy to kickstart your day.

You can't be the best leader for your team if you're making any of these 8 management mistakes. Here's exactly what to avoid if you want to thrive and inspire in your leadership role.

With the unlimited power of the World Wide Web and the proliferation of social media platforms, it is naïve to think that our online presence has nothing to do with our real life reputation.

\'The adage out of sight, out of mind certainly holds true in the workplace.\' Climbing the career ladder can be a downright unfair pursuit.

It’s not often that a single person can transform an entire industry and alter history.

Whether you are starting a brand spanking new job or you’ve been with the same company for the past 10 years, what you wear to work each day is important.

Dreading going in to work the next day? Feeling tired and burnt out? How to recognise the signs that it\'s time for a career change.

Ever wondered how the successful people do it? Take the lead from some of the stars of the latest BRW Young Rich list.

Nothing can be more infuriating than someone younger than you achieving a lot more than you have. To get you in a good mood, Andrea lists seven youngsters who will make you question whether you’re reaching your full potential.

Regional cities are booming with job opportunities ripe for the picking. Is regional Australia where it’s at?

We can often find life advice in the most unconventional of places. Vivien goes digging around the jaw-breaking gaming phenomenon, Candy Crush, to find some hidden career lesson gems (hard rock candied gems, to be precise).

Don’t throw away your twenties, hoping that stuff will work itself out. Claim this defining decade of your life and set your career up for later life!

Lose weight. Eat better. Save more. Struggling to stick to your habits? Here are some science-backed strategies to build lasting habits.

Smash it in the \'rush hour of life\' with these 8 career goals to tick off in your 40s!

Emotional intelligence is crucial for building successful relationships, both in the office and out. Multiple studies have shown that a high level of emotional intelligence can really pay off in your career. Here are 5 tips to improve your EQ.

You ‘befriended’ your boss on Facebook, you set up a LinkedIn profile and you followed all the relevant people on Twitter. You knew it would only be a matter of time before your networking genius landed you your dream job in a leading company.

Dread Mondays? Don’t know where to go and what to do next? A career coach or counsellor can help you find purpose in life. In this quick read, understand the difference between a career coach and a career counsellor.

Being underpaid and can frustrating. You know your worth and want your paycheck to reflect that. Here are 7 signs you need to be looking out for if you think you're being underpaid at work.

Lawyer turned entrepreneur, Fabiola is the visionary of LUXit - an award-winning beauty service app, bringing an elite salon experience to you. With 20+ years experience in high fashion, beauty and luxury lines - she is well acquainted with all things lux & business. 

You're overworked and on the verge of a burning out, but the last thing you want to do is sound like you're whinging. How do you tell your boss you're feeling stressed and have too much work? We have you covered