It's not always easy knowing whether a company is willing to accommodate your needs as a single mother. Some companies are open enough to promote their flexible work life arrangements but the majority do not. Here's how to find the companies that do.

Read the Ads Carefully

The key words/phrases in ads to avoid are:

• Going beyond the call of duty
• Enjoys a challenging environment
• Be part of a committed team
• Be prepared to travel

These phrases indicate the job will require long hours, a firm in-office commitment and high expectations, none of which gives you the flexibility you are looking for.

However, if you want a job that will meet your needs, these are the keywords to look for in advertisements:

• Work-life balance 
• Opportunity to work from home
• Potential school hours
• Job sharing opportunities

All of these suggest that flexibility is part of the company’s approach.

Talk to Someone Who Works There

If you are seriously considering working for a company but you don't know how they treat their employees, try ringing up reception and asking them what their thoughts are. Be careful not to give your name. But you can say that you are considering working for the company and you'd like to know if the company is flexible or not. Or another way to find out is to ask if any of your friends knows somebody who may work there. Talking to somebody who works within a company is usually the best way to find out what working conditions are like.

Do Your Research

Once you know the name of the company you are being interviewed by or considering applying to, check out their website. Go directly to “About Us” or “Our Mission” or “Our Vision”. These are the key pages which will outline what the company’s philosophy is and their approach to business and their employees. Of course, what they say may not always be what they do, but it is a very good start if they have put a healthy approach to employee management, in writing.