There are seasons and stages of everyone’s life, each with their own unique challenges as well as amazing opportunities. Women, in particular, often have many distinct life changes as they graduate and move into a career, take a break to have a family, and then plan to return the workplace.
Unfortunately, for many women, a career break of even a few short years can pose a host of challenges when the time comes to return to the job. Some of the biggest issues can be in finding suitable employment for a fair wage, having the flexibility needed to continue to be a parent and to get recognition for the skills, talents and professional experience they can bring to the job.
Susan’s Story
Susan’s story is one that we often hear at Career-Mums. It highlights the challenges that women face after taking significant time out of their professional career, but these challenges can be overcome, and we are here to help.
Susan started working for a large company immediately after obtaining her business degree. She was certainly on the fast track up the corporate ladder, first starting as a junior manager and quickly rising to the level of department head. As the company had offices and locations throughout the UK and Europe, she was constantly travelling and absolutely loved her job; it was everything she wanted in a career.
In her early thirties, Susan decided to take a career break to be a stay at home mum to her two daughters. This was very important for Susan as she valued the time spent parenting in the early years of a child’s life.
Then, with her youngest starting school, Susan was ready to resume her career. However, from her experience in upper management, she was keenly aware of the gaps on her resume and how those missing years could be perceived by employers. The more she thought about the time she had been out of her fast-paced job, the more she felt her confidence ebb and the reality of those years at home counting against her.
Let Us Help
It is easy to say to women like Susan, “have confidence in yourself, you are still the professional you were in the past,” but this can be very difficult to internalise. This is where Career-Mums plays a vital role, helping to prepare returners both mentally and professionally to find the right job match. We offer returnships, a great opportunity for professionals and companies to have a trial period and create a supported transition to the workplace.
This is also a time to evaluate your career path. Many of the returners we support choose to retrain for a second career that is more flexible and meets their needs. There is also the opportunity to become an entrepreneur or launch your own business where you are the boss.
Be confident and know the years you have spent out of the workforce are important and will be applicable to your professional career. If you are a Mum, you have probably honed several skills from top organizational and management techniques to the all-important ability to multi-task!
It is not always going to be easy as a returner. With our training and coaching, we will provide support, training and resources to assist in gaining confidence in yourself and the unique talents and abilities you bring to the job.
Oh, and if you were wondering, Susan found a great job with a bit of support from our team. The job she accepted had built-in flexibility and the opportunity to telecommute two days a week, so she is there for her girls. She has a great work/life balance and is back doing a job she really loves – just as you will through our services at Career-Mums.
www.career-mums.co.uk/returners
