Support and inspiration for Support and inspiration for career returners career returners
Welcome!
WelcometoourJulyedition!Summerhasfinallyarrived, andwehopethatitbringsyouanopportunitytorecharge aswellascarveoutalittlespaceforreflectionandplanning foryourreturntowork
Ourreturn-to-worksummerholidayactionplantakesyoustepbystepthroughthe practicalactionsyoucantaketogetready–fromthinkingaboutwhatupskillingyou mightwantorneedtodoandhowyoucanfindthis,tolookingafreshatyournetwork tothinkcreativelyaboutwhomightbevaluabletoconnectwith Ifyoufearallyour oldcontactshavemovedon,takealookat‘AsktheCoaches’wherewetacklehowto getstartedwithyournetworkingplan.
Foryoursummerinspiration,readDagma’sSuccessStoryofreturningtoworkat StarlingBankaftera10-yearcareerbreak Weloveheradvicetoreturnersto‘get comfortablewithbeinguncomfortable’–asimplemindsetshiftthatcanreallyhelp youtogofornewopportunities!
Contributors
Andifyou’relookingforamotivatingsummerholidayread,checkoutour bookreviewof‘HowWomenRise’ LeadershipexpertsMarshall GoldsmithandSallyHelgesenidentifybehavioursthatcanholdwomen backfromachievingtheirfullpotentialandsharewaystoaddressthem toachievegreatercareersuccess
KarenDanker HeadofCoaching
LizMearns DeputyHeadof Coaching
We’llbebackinSeptember–inthemeantime,doemailus atcoach@womenreturners.comtoletusknowwhatyou’d liketoreadaboutaswellasaskyourquestionsforour‘Ask theCoaches’feature
Haveabrilliantsummer!
MaharukhDalal LeadCoach LaurenWilson LeadCoach
Karen & Liz
Career Returners Coaching Team
3 Your Return-to-Work Summer Holiday Plan!
Welookatpracticalstepsyoucantake overthesummertogearyouupforyour returntowork
5 Dagma’s
Success Story
Dagmashareshowsheovercamethe challengeofreturningtoFinanceaftera longcareerbreakandhertoptipsfor success
7 Book Review
OurhighlightsfromHowWomenRise: Breakthe12HabitsHoldingYouBackfrom YourNextRaise,Promotion,orJobby MarshallGoldsmithandSallyHelgesen
8 Ask the Coaches
Ourteamgivesadviceonwhattodoifthe contactsinyournetworkhavemovedon
Here’sastep-by-stepguidetohelpyou gearupforyourreturntowork.
1.ReflectandSetGoals:
Beforedivingintopreparations,takesometimetoreflect onyourcareeraspirationsandsetclear,achievablegoals Identifyyourcareeraspirations:whatrolesorindustries exciteyou?Reflectonyourpassions,strengthsandskills toidentifyrolestoexplore
SetSMARTgoals–thosethatareSpecific,Measurable, Achievable,Relevant,andTime-bound Forexample,aim toupdateyourCVbytheendofJulyorcompletean onlinecoursebymid-August
2.UpdateyourSkills:
Stayingcurrentwithindustrytrendsandskillsiscrucial Usethesummertostarttobridgeanygapsinyour knowledge
OnlineCourses:enrollinonlinecoursesrelatedtoyour field WebsiteslikeCoursera,LinkedInLearning,and Udemyofferflexibleoptions Ifyou’relookingtoreturnto techroles,checkoutthefreecourseswithCisco Academyonourwebsitemembers’resourcepage Workshopsandwebinars:attendvirtualworkshopsand webinarstogainnewinsightsandstayupdatedon industrytrends.
Certifications:considerobtainingcertificationsthatcan enhanceyourCVanddemonstrateyourcommitmentto professionalgrowth.
3.RevampyourCVandLinkedInProfile: YourCVandLinkedInprofileareyourprofessionalcalling cards Ensuretheyreflectyourcurrentskillsand experiences
UpdateyourCV:highlightyourmostrecentexperiences, skills,andachievements Tailorittothetypeofrolesyou aretargeting
OptimizeyourLinkedInProfile:makesureyourprofileis completeanduptodate Useaprofessionalphoto,write acompellingsummary,andlistyourkeyskillsand experiences
GatherRecommendations:reachouttoformer colleaguesandmanagersforLinkedInrecommendations Thesecanaddcredibilitytoyourprofile
4.ReconnectandNetwork:
Rebuildingyourprofessionalnetworkcanopendoorsto newopportunitiesandprovidevaluablesupport
ReconnectwithformerColleagues:reachouttoformer coworkersandmanagers Informthemofyourreturnand seekadviceorjobleads
JoinProfessionalGroups:participateinindustry-specific groupsonLinkedInorotherprofessionalnetworks. AttendNetworkingEvents:lookforvirtualnetworking eventsorlocalmeetups.Thesecanbegreatopportunities tomeetnewpeopleandlearnaboutjobopenings.
5.PractiseYourInterviewSkills:
Confidenceininterviewsiskeytosecuringyourdesired role Usethesummertopolishyourinterviewtechniques
MockInterviews:conductmockinterviewswithfriends orfamily Practisecommoninterviewquestionsand receiveconstructivefeedback
RecordYourself:recordyouranswerstopractise questionsandreviewthemtoimproveyourdeliveryand bodylanguage
ResearchandPrepare:studythecompaniesyou’re interestedinandpreparetailoredresponsesthathighlight yourskillsandexperiences
5.CreateaWork-LifeBalancePlan: Balancingworkandpersonallifeisessentialforsustained successandwell-being
EstablishaRoutine:begintostructureyourdayasifyou werealreadyworking Thiscanhelpeasethetransition
SetBoundaries:determinehowyouwillmanageyour timeandresponsibilitiestomaintainahealthywork-life balance
Self-Care:prioritiseself-careactivitiesthathelpyourelax andrecharge Thiswillensureyou’reinthebestmental andphysicalstatewhenyoureturntowork
FinalThoughts
Returningtotheworkforcecanfeeloverwhelming,butby takingtheseproactivestepsoverthesummer,youcan positionyourselfforasmoothandsuccessfultransition
Remember,preparationiskey,andeverystepyoutake bringsyouclosertoachievingyourcareergoals Embracethisjourneywithconfidenceandenthusiasm You’vegotthis!
OperationalRiskAnalyst StarlingBank
(10yearcareerbreak)
Dagma’s Success Story
“Never give up, you may rest for a while, but never give up, because if you stop, you will not get an opportunity; if you persist, you have a greater chance.”
IworkedinFinanceandBankingforover20yearsandinRiskas aRiskandControlOfficer In2012,myroleinRiskwasmade redundantduringthefinancialdownturnanditwaschallengingto returntootherfinancialrolesduetothedifficulteconomictimes.
Intheendmycareerbreaklasted10years Unabletofindajobin thefinancesector,IturnedtoretailandworkedatHarrodsona small-scalebasis Ialsotooktheopportunitytostartmyhome cakemakingbusinesswhichIthoroughlyenjoyed! Ialwayswantedtoreturntoprofessionalwork,butI unfortunatelyfoundthatthelongerIwasoutofFinance,the morechallengingitbecametoreturn Whencovidhit,therewere manychangesandthatpushedmetotryharderandsmarterto getbacktomyprofessionalindustry.
However,theexperiencewasextremelychallenging Recruitment agenciesweretellingmethatIhadbeenoutoftheindustrytoo long Ihadacoupleofinterviewsthroughnetworkingwithexcolleagues,butitwasacaseof‘socloseandyetsofar’–I receivedgoodfeedbackbutwasultimatelyunsuccessful.
“IunfortunatelyfoundthatthelongerIwasoutofFinance,themore challengingitbecametoreturn.”
Dagma Cummings
Icarriedonnetworkingandthroughafriendofa friendheardaboutCareerReturners Ijoined theirnetworktoaccessalltheirresourcesand hearaboutreturneropportunitiesandwas delightedtosuccessfullysecureapositionasan OperationalRiskAnalystonStarlingBank’s ReturnerProgramme
Iwasextremelyhappytobebackatwork I settledinwell,butontheinside,Iwasnervous, wantingtoprovemyselfanddoanexcellentjob Itwasanewenvironment,navigatinghybrid workingandgainingmyconfidence However, mymanagerandteamhavebeensosupportive andthathelpedenormously.Myemployeralso organisedamentorformetoanswerany questionsIhadandtohelpmereconnectwith myprofessionalidentity Ialsoreceivedcoaching supportfromCareerReturnerswhichhelpedme navigatemyreturntoworksuccessfully.
“NowI’mbackatwork,Iwish I’dknownaboutCareer Returnerssooner-theyhave literallychangedmylife!”
NowI’mbackatwork,IwishI’dknownabout CareerReturnerssooner-theyhaveliterally changedmylife!Ifeelmoreconfidentnotonly atworkbutwithinmyselfandalthoughajob doesnotdefineyou,Ifeelreallyhappybeing backinmyprofessionwhichIhavestudiedand trainedfor
SinceIreturned,I’veprogressedwell I successfullycompletedmyprobationprojectand wasdelightedtohavesecuredapermanent positionwithStarlingBank Ialsosatonthe returnerpanelattheCareerReturners2024 Conference–itwasagreatexperiencetobe abletoconfidentlyspeakoutandinspireand motivateotherswhowereinthesameposition thatIhadbeenin,thepreviousyear
“Itwasagreatexperiencetobe abletoconfidentlyspeakout andinspireandmotivateothers whowereinthesameposition thatIhadbeenin,theprevious year”.
Forotherstryingtogetbacktowork,myadvice isto:
Keepnetworking -youneverknowwho knowswho!
Nevergiveup,youmayrestforawhile,but nevergiveup,becauseifyoustop,youwill notgetanopportunity;ifyoupersist,you haveagreaterchance
Whenyoureturnyoumayfeellikeafishout ofwater,butyouhaveto “getcomfortable withbeinguncomfortable” Iwastoldthis byanotherreturner,anditmadeperfect sensetome
Celebrate yoursmallwinsdaily!
Readmoreinspiringstories inourSuccessStoryLibrary
Book Review
Key Takeaways:
"How Women Rise" provides invaluable insights for women reentering the workforce and seeking to advance their careers. Leadership experts
Marshall Goldsmith and Sally Helgesen identify 12 specific behavioural patterns that can hold women back from achieving their full potential By understanding and addressing these challenges, women can position themselves for greater career success during this transition.
Reluctancetoclaimyourachievements:women oftenstruggletotakecreditfortheir accomplishments,hinderingtheiradvancement
Expectingotherstospontaneouslynoticeand rewardyourcontributions:relyingonothersto recogniseyourvaluecanleadto disappointmentandmissedopportunities
Overvaluingexpertise:prioritisingdeep technicalskillsoverothercriticalcompetencies likecommunicationandinfluence
Failingtoaskforwhatyouwant:womencanbe morepassiveintheircareeradvancement. Puttingyourjobbeforeyourcareer:focusing toomuchoncurrentroleresponsibilitiesrather thanlong-termcareergoals
Minimising:downplayingyourabilitiesand qualifications,whichcanundermineyour credibility
Overthinkingdecisions:excessiveanalysiscan leadtoinactionandmissedchances
Actionable Insights:
Activelyclaimyourachievementsand contributions Documentyoursuccessesand advocateforyourself
Developaproactivemindset Expecttobe recognisedandrewardedforyourwork
Cultivateabroadrangeofleadership competenciesbeyondjusttechnicalexpertise
Getcomfortableaskingforpromotions,stretch assignments,andothercareer-advancing opportunities
Maintainastrategic,big-pictureperspectiveon yourcareergrowth,notjustyourcurrentrole. Challengetheimpulsetominimizeyourskillsand qualifications.Ownyourworth.
Practicedecisive,timelydecision-makingtoavoid overthinkingandinaction
Final Thoughts:
Byaddressingthesenuancedbehavioural patterns,womenreturningtotheworkforcecan overcomebarrierstoadvancementandunlock theirfullleadershippotential "HowWomenRise" providesanessentialroadmapforwomenseeking torelaunchandelevatetheircareerswith confidenceandsuccess
Our coaching team is on hand to answer your questions!
I don’t have a network as my contacts have moved on, what can I do?
Thefirstthingtoconsideristhatyoudostillhaveanetwork. Itmaybeadifferentnetworktotheoneyouhadbeforeyourcareerbreak,butformercolleaguesare stillcontactsandwillremembertheprofessionalyoufromwhenyouworkedwiththem Reachoutto reconnectviaLinkedInorasimpleemailtofindoutwhattheyareuptonowaswellasbringingthem uptodatewithyourplansandinterests.
Thesecondthingtoconsideristhatyournewcontactssocialorotherwisecan stillprovideamazingnetworkingopportunities.
Peoplegenerallylikehelpingotherpeople Alotofleveragecancomefromapersonalnetwork, particularlyafteracareerbreak Makingyourfriendsandfamilyawareofjobs,sectorsandindustries youareinterestedincanbehugelybeneficialinbuildingyournetwork Rememberyouarenotasking yourfriendsforajobbutsimplyforinformationoranintroductiontosomeoneinanarea/organisation thatinterestsyou
Anothertipistojoinmembershiporganisations/professionalassociationsand followrelevantLinkedIngroupstokeepinformedaboutemergingtrends,training opportunitiesandupcomingevents.
Initiating/contributingtodiscussionsisagreatwaytoraiseyourprofileandmakenewconnections Don’tforgetaboutinformal/localnetworkstoobytakingamoreactiveroleinsocialorcommunity activities Localnetworksmayprovideexcitingnewconnectionopportunities
Rebuildingyournetworktakestimeandpersistence,butbybeingproactiveandengaging,you'llbe abletocreatenewconnectionsandrekindleoldones.Goodluck!
