Support and inspiration for career returners
Support and inspiration for career returners
Welcome!
WelcometoourJuneedition!Wehopethesunshinehas arrivedforyou,intimetositbackandenjoyourlatestMagazine!
Inthismonth’sissue,weshinealightonthecharitysector Ifyou’re lookingtochangecareersandhavebeenconsideringamoveintothe charitysector,readourTopTipsbyMayaBhose,FounderofTheWell Placed Lastyear,Mayalaunchedapilotprogrammehelpingpeople movefromthecorporatetothecharitysectorbygainingpaid placementsandvitalexperiencewithincharities.Inourwebinaron3 July,Mayasharesherjourneyandhowyoucanapplyforaplaceonher nextprogramme,launchinginNovember
In‘AsktheCoaches’,we’retacklinghowtogetstartedinyourreturn toworkandthedifferentroutesbackin Theimportanceof networkingrunsthroughoutthesetopics,andsoifyou’relookingto buildanetworkingactionplan,thenourarticleon‘Buildingyour returntoworksupportnetwork’hassomeusefultipstohelpyouget startedandfocussed
Contributors
KarenDanker HeadofCoaching
LizMearns DeputyHeadof Coaching
LaurenWilson LeadCoach
Andifyou’relookingforsomemonthlyinspiration, readElaineDiver’sSuccessStoryofreturningtowork atDeloitteIrelandaftera5-yearcareerbreak Elaine talksaboutthevalueofupskillingasyoupreparefor yourreturn,bothintermsofhelpingfillanyskills gapsbutalsoperhapsmoreimportantly,tohelp boostconfidenceafteranextendedbreak
Happyreading!
Karen & Liz
CareerReturnersCoachingTeam
MaharukhDalal LeadCoach
3 Building Your Return to Work Support Network
Networkingcanbedauntingbutitissimply a‘conversationwithapurpose’.Welookat howtoutiliseyourcurrentnetwork,the benefitsofnetworkingandhowtotellyour careerstory
5 Elaine’s Success Story
Elainesharesthechallengesofimposter syndromeandthevalueofcoaching supportinhelpinghertotransitionbackto workwithconfidence
7 Returning to Work in the Charity Sector
MayaBhose,FounderofTheWellPlaced, sharesherTopTipsonbuildingasecond careerintheCharitySectoronyourreturn towork
11 Book Review
KeythemesandtakeawaysfromAdam Grant’s“ThinkAgain”tohelpyounavigate yourtransitionbacktowork
13 Ask the Coaches
Ourteamgivesadviceonfirststepsasyou returntoworkandthedifferentroutes backin
15 Volunteering Opportunities Directory
Aselectionoforganisationsofferingskilled andstrategicvolunteeringopportunities
16 Webinars & Events
DetailsofanewpodcastonworkingparttimefromourfriendsatTimewise,ournext CareerReturnersWebinaronReturningto WorkintheCharitySectorwithMaya BhoseandnewsonourCareerReturners Podcast
“Whetheryouareanervousornatural networker,connectingwithotherswho haveacommoninterestandsharing informationissoimportant”
henyouarethinkingaboutyourreturn towork,networkingcanplayabigpartin thisjourney.Whetheryouareanervousor naturalnetworker,connectingwithothers whohaveacommoninterestandsharing informationissoimportant.
Ifyoutendtofearit,itcanbeusefultorememberthat networkingissimply‘aconversationwithpurpose’and canarisefromconversationsyouhaveallthetimewith peoplearoundyou-whatdoyoudo?Wherehaveyou workedbefore?Doyouknowanyoneinthisfieldorat thiscompany?
Usingyourcurrentnetwork
StartwithyourcurrentnetworkandbuildfromthereIt canbereallyusefultoplotthedifferentnetworksyou haveonpapertocapturewhoyourkeycontactsare. Bycreatingdifferentgroupsonyourmapegfamily, friends,friendsoffriends,formercolleagues, communityfriends,volunteeringcontacts,parentsat theschoolgates youwillstarttoseedifferentpeople whocouldhelpprovideideasandperspectiveswhich youmaynothavepreviouslyconsidered.Former colleaguescanbereallyvaluableinrecommending newpeopletospeaktoorsharingopportunities,so taketimetoreachouttothemviaLinkedInandsend thematailoredmessage
Whatwillnetworkingprovide?
Networkingcanprovidevaluableinsights,ideasand introsBeforereachingouttopeople,doyourprepand considerwhattheymightbebestplacedtohelpyou with:
*Insights-tounderstandthelatesttrends, opportunitiesandchallengesforaparticularsectorso youfeeluptodateItmightbetounderstandthefiner detailofaroleyou’reinterestedin,toseewhetheryou havetheskillsorexperienceorwhetherthereality matchesyourbeliefs
*Ideas-thiscanbeagreatopportunityforyouto testthevalidityofsomeofyourideasandhowthey landAreyoubeingrealistic?Ifnot,whatwouldyou needtodotomakeyourideamoreviable?Whatideas dotheyhavethatyoumightnothaveconsideredtypesofrolestoconsiderororganisationstoexplore? Howdotheyseeyourskillsandexperience transferringacross?Whattechnicalskillsarecrucial nowthatyoumaynothaveconsidered?
*Intros-thiscomestowardstheendofthe conversationwhenthepersonyou’respeakingtohas agoodfeelofwhatyouhavetoofferandwhatyou’re
interestedinArethereanypeoplethey’drecommend youreachouttoortheycanconnectyoutowho mighthavedifferentideasorinsights?
YourCareerStory
Gettingoutandaboutandtellingyourcareerstoryto differentpeopleissovaluable
Itwillnotonlyhelpyoutobecomecleareronwhat youarelookingfor,butitmayopenuplotsof opportunitiesandnewanglestoinvestigateAs HerminiaIbarrasaysinherbrilliantbook‘Working Identity’,‘Wediscoverthetruepossibilitiesbydoing byreworkingourstoryaswetellittothosearound us’Formoreinspiration,listentoourCareer Returnerspodcastepisode‘Makeyourselfvisible’ whichillustratesthepowerofusingyourcurrent network
CareerReturnersSupport
Ifyouarelookingforfurtherhelpwithhowtokickstart yournetworking,it’sworthwhilerememberingyouare notaloneWeareheretohelpyouandthereislotsof valuableinformationavailabletoyouwhenyousign uptoourfreenetworkYouwillgainaccesstoour monthlywebinars,‘YourReturn’supportmagazine, anddetailsofourbi-monthlyreturneropportunities Wearealsoexcitedtosharethatwewillsoonbe launchingournewonlinecommunityplatformfor careerreturnerstoconnect,share,engage,learnand getsupport-watchthisspaceformoreopportunity togetinvolvedandconnectwithotherreturners!
Diver
5yearcareerbreak
Elaine’s Success Story
“It’s important to believe in yourself because if you don’t believe in yourself, it’s hard to convince other people to believe in you!”
BeforemybreakIhad10years’experienceinbankingworkingfor HSBCandAIBinDublin,predominantlyasaBusinessAnalyst
Itookacareerbreakfor5years,promptedbythearrivalofmy secondchild Ifoundithardtogetchildcaresupportforbothof mychildrentoenablemetokeepworking,soImadethedecision totaketimeouttocareformychildren Myplanwastoreturnto workasmyyoungestgotolder,howeverCovidstruck,soinstead Ienjoyedthetimewithmyfamilyandpushedbackmyreturn. DuringmycareerbreakIkeptmyskillsrefreshedbycompletinga projectmanagementcourseandadiplomaindataforbusiness
IdecidedIwasreadytoreturntomycareerwhenmyyoungest startedschoolandfortunatelyagoodfriendsawtheadvertfor theDeloitteReturntoWorkProgrammeandpasseditontome I wasdelightedtosecureaplaceonthereturnerprogramme!
“Duringyourcareerbreakyoucanloseconfidenceandit’seasyfor
impostersyndrometocreepinbutcomingbacktoworkwasgreat”
Returningtoworkhasbeenfantasticandhavingtheflexibilitytoworkfromhomehashelped enormously WhenIstartedonthefirstday,Iwasbuzzingtobeback-andsoready!Duringyour careerbreakyoucanloseconfidenceandit’seasyforimpostersyndrometocreepinbutcoming backtoworkwasgreat,I’velovedtheclientsandprojectsI’minvolvedwithandthebrilliantteam aroundme Ifeelverylucky
ThecoachingsupportIreceivedhasbeen invaluableinhelpingmetopositivelytransition backintoworkandbelieveinmyself Ialso enjoyedbeingpartofacohortofreturners, everyonewasgoingthroughasimilarjourney andverysupportiveofoneanother Inadditionto theCareerReturnerscoaches,wealsohada coachsupportusfromwithinDeloittewhichwas greatformycareerfocusandworkingthrough specificchallengesfromwithinthebusiness.
“ThecoachingsupportI receivedhasbeeninvaluable inhelpingmetopositively transitionbackintoworkand believeinmyself”
Ifeelverypositiveaboutbeingbackatworkand mykidsarealsousedtomebeingbacknow, whichisgreat Everythinghasreallyfalleninto placeandIdon'tthinkIcouldhavehadabetter starttoreturningtowork.
“Doalittlebitofupskillingif youcan,foryourown confidenceandskills”
Myadviceforotherreturnersistodoalittlebit ofupskillingifyoucan,foryourownconfidence andskills It’simportanttobelieveinyourself becauseif you don'tbelieveinyourself,it'shard toconvinceotherpeopletobelieveinyou!
Haveacheerleader,agoodfriendorfamily memberwhocanencourageyoutogoforit whenyoumightbelackingcourage
“Takethetimetoreflecton whatyoudidinthepastand thinkofsomegoodexamples todiscuss”
Takethetimetoreflectonwhatyoudidinthe pastandthinkofsomegoodexamplesto discuss Youwerecapableonce;youcanbe capableagain!IhadanotebookwhereIjotted downsomeexamplesandtooksometimeto thinkaboutmypastcareerandcareerbreakand focusedonthehighlightsandtransferableskills I’dgained
“Youwerecapableonce;you canbecapableagain!”
Finally,andpractically,it’salsohelpfulto consideryour‘musthaves’and‘nicetohaves’ whenreturningtowork.
Thinkaboutwhatyouneedandwouldliketo haveinaccordancewithyourpersonal commitmentsanddiscussthatwithyour prospectiveemployertohopefullyfindasolution thatworksforyouboth
Maya Bhose, Founder of The Well Placed, shares her Top Tips on building a second career in the Charity Sector on your return to work
Howtolandyourfirstcharityjobinmid-life
Switchingtothecharitysectorlaterinyourcareeryoumayfacechallenges nothavingpreviouscharityexperience.Herearesometips,frommyown experienceandfromthemanyconversationsIhavehadwithpeoplewho havemadetheswitch
Don’tassumethatyourtrackrecordspeaksfor itself
WhenIdecidedtomakethemovetothecharitysector,Ithoughtit wouldbereasonablystraightforwardIhadvaluableexperience,Ihad workedataseniorlevelforyearsinimpressivecompanies,Ihadled teamsofvarioussizes,Igotresults,Iwaspreparedtotakeapaycut I’dbesnappedup–right?IfoundtheoppositewastrueMynetwork wasinthecommercialsector.TocharitysectorhiringmanagersIhad noreputation,nocharitytrackrecordIwasnotontheirradarAnd ironicallyIhadignoredthefoundationofmarketingtounderstandyour audienceandtellacompellingstorythatwouldchangebehaviour.
Putyourselfinthehiringmanager’sshoes
WouldahiringmanagercarethatIhadlaunchedTVchannelsand smartphones?ThatIhadledateamof130inmarketingandsalesto rebrandanentiresatelliteTVplatformaheadofasuccessfulflotation? Ifanything,itprobablyputthemoffMyCVexplainedwhatIhad done,butthatheldlittlemeaningforthemIwasstartinginthewrong place.WhatIshouldhavedonewasthoughtaboutwhatthehiring managerneeded,andhowtorelatemyexperienceandskillstowhat theyweresearchingfor
Leavenodoubtasto howyourskillsare transferable
Myadviceistofocusonyour transferableskillsandhow youwillusetheminthe advertisedroleratherthanlist yourjobresponsibilities.A quicksearchofwhatall employersarelookingfor throwsupCommunication skills,Teamwork,Adaptability, Problem-Solving,Leadership, TimeManagement,Creativity Whatexamplescanyougive ofhowyouhaveusedthese skillsinpaidandunpaidwork
Demonstrateyourempathyforthecause
Ifyousearchforwhatcharityemployersarelookingforthere areadditionalthingsmentioned-enthusiasmanddedicationfor yourchosencharitablecause,commercial/businessawareness, pro-activityandflexibilityResearchthecharityExplainwhyyou haveanaffinitywithwhattheydoandgiveexamplesofhow yourpersonalvaluesalignwiththecause
Over-qualifiedorwell-qualified?
Thinkaboutthelanguage youuse
Someinthecharityworldbelievethat wantingto‘giveback’impliesyou havebeentaking,whereas‘makea difference’doesn’tItreallyis semanticsbutthinkofhowsomeone steepedinthesectormightbe interpretingwhatyouaresaying
Volunteeringcanbeawayin
Ifyoubelieveintheideaofcivilsociety,thenthinkof volunteering,regardlessofwhetheryouwanttoworkin thecharitysectorornotWhenitcomestohelpingyou switch,basedonconversationsIhavehadwithpeople whoweresuccessfulusingthisroute,volunteerfora causeyou'dliketoworkforYoucangrowyour contacts,experiencetheculture,learnaboutthework andimportantlyhearaboutupcomingvacancies
*SeeourDirectoryofVolunteeringOpportunitiesonpage15*
Areyouapplyingforarolemorejuniortothelevelyouhaveworkedatandearningless?There maybeanassumptionthatyou’llgetboredsodon’ttiptoearoundaperceivedmismatchand explainoutrightwhytheroleisattractiveInterviewersareinterestedinuncoveringifyouviewa lower-levelpositionasatemporarysituation,orifyouarelookingtoworkatthislevellong-term. RememberthatmanycharitieshaveaheavyworkloadTheburnoutrate,especiallypostCovid, ishighIfyouarefacedwithseveralcandidates,andonehasnopreviouscharityexperience,the managerwillneedtospendmoreoftheiralreadystretchedtimehelpingthenewcomer understandthecultureWhowouldyoupick?Think aboutwhatyoucanincludeinyourapplicationthat willaddressthisCanyougiveexamplesofwhere youhavelearntquickly?
Youryearsofexperienceisanasset
Ifyouareswitchinglaterinlife,whatmightahiring managerthinkaboutmanagingsomeoneolder,with moreexperience?Bepro-activeinaddressingthis issueifyouareatinterviewstageResearchshows thatco-generationalteamsaremoreproductiveand creative.Teamscansolvemorecomplexproblems withamixedageworkforce,becausedifferentage groupsthinkdifferentlyYourageisanassetifyou makeitone.I’veneverliedaboutmyage,butinthe pastIwouldkeepquietaboutitNow,havingbeenonthereceivingendofageisminthejobmarket,I talkopenlyaboutthefactthatIaminmy60sIt’sbeenliberatingBeingignoredhasfiredmeuptofight againstitPersonally,Iwouldn’twanttoworkforanorganisationthatdoesn’tvalueallitsstaff, regardlessofage
Yourcommercialexperiencecangiveyou anadvantage
IspokewithanHRleadfromalargecharityandtheysaid theyactivelyrecruitfromoutsidethesector,becausethose withacommercialbackgroundaremorecomfortable aroundmetricsandmeasuringimpactCharitiesare dependentonfundingandasthemarketshiftstheyneed todiversifytheirincomestreams.Giveexamplesofhow yourcommercialexperiencewillbenefitthecharityWhat experiencedoyouhaveofusingdatatoshowimpact?You mayhaveexperienceofthingsthatacorporatehasbeen abletoinvestinthatacharitywouldn’tYourcommercial perspectiveisanasset,butit’suptoyoutoexplainwhy
Getafootinthedoor
Doyouknowanyonewhoworksinacharitywhocanoffer adviceorintroduceyoutoanyonewhoworksinthediscipline youareinterestedin?Manypeoplearegenerouswiththeir timeandwillmaketimeforachatThat’showmyeventual movetothesectorstarted–withacoffeeandmeaskingfor advice.Lookatjobboardsforprojectworkandinterim contracts,anythingthatwillgiveyousomecharityexperience thatyoucanthenaddtoyourCV
THEWELLPLACED
Thinkabouttheorganisation’s cultureandshowhowyoucan adapt
AnotherreservationIhaveheardfromwithin charitiesisthatpeoplecominginforthefirsttimerusharoundsuggestinghowtoimprove things“Manycharities,especiallysmallerones, arecautious,riskaverseanddon’twantpeople whoarepotentiallygoingtorocktheboatorbe tooimpatient”Theculturewillbedifferentto whatyouareusedtoGiveexamplesofwhere youhavebeenflexibleandadaptedtoadifferent culture.Onceinajobrememberthemaximto listentwiceasmuchasyouspeak
Believeinyourself
IhaddayswhenIneverthoughtI’dmake theswitchandalmostgaveupOnthose daysIwouldlookatmyCVandremind myselfwhatIwascapableof.Believein yourselfYouknowwhoyouareYou knowyourvalue.That’sthestoryyou needtotell
RefusingtobeforcedintoearlyretirementIfoundedTheWellPlacedIt’sanot-for-profitthathelpspeople inmid-life,wantingworkwithmorepurpose,totransfertheircommercialskillsintothecharitysectorwhich hasacriticalskillsshortage.WeworkwithleadingcharitiessuchasAgeUKandtheWItooffer6-month paidplacementsasasteppingstoneintothesector 3ofthe6womenonourpilotstudywerereturnershavingtakencareerbreakstosupporttheirchildren throughschool.
ApplicationsforourNovembercohortopenJune11thandyoucanfind moreinformationonourwebsite
MayaBhose,Founder,TheWellPlaced
Wednesday3July 10-11am(UKTime)
Asecondcareerinthecharitysector
Areyoulookingtoreturntoworkandconsideringacareerinthe charitysectorforthefirsttime?Orhaveyoualreadybeentryingto returntoworkintothecharitysectorandkeepcomingupagainst barriers,despitehavingyearsoftransferableskillsandexperience throughyourformerwork?Ifso,thiswebinarisforyou!
3July 10-11am
After25yearsworkingincommercialmarketingformediaandtech brands,andfollowingaredundancy,MayaBhosedecidedtofind workwithmorepurposeandswitchtothecharitysector Shethought itwouldbeasimpleprocesstolandajobinacharityasshehadalotofvaluableexperienceand skillstooffer Therealitywastheopposite Sheeventuallymadethemovebecausesomeone gaveherachance
Thecharitysectorhasnowovertakentheprivateandpublicsectorsintermsofaskillsshortage Charityvacancies,drivenbymissingskills,havetripledinthelastdecade Suspectingthatthere weremanyotherslikeherwithvaluableexperiencetoshare,yetfindingthecharitysector impenetrable,MayalaunchedTheWellPlaced
TheWellPlacedisanot-for-profitcompanywhichhelpspeopleinmid-life,wantingworkwith morepurpose,totransfertheircommercialskillstothecharitysector Itworkswithleading charitiessuchasAgeUKandTheWomen’sInstitutetooffer6-monthpaidplacementsasa steppingstoneintothesector.Halfofthewomenonthepilotplacementprogrammethisyear werereturners
JoinKaren,ourHeadofCoachingandMayaBhose,FounderofTheWellPlaced,forthisfree, interactivesession,whereMayawilltakeyouthrough:
Theobstaclestolandingyourfirstcharityjob
WhatTheWellPlacedpilotprogrammeinvolved Whatshelearnt
HowtoapplyforaplacementontheirupcomingNovemberprogramme
WithMayaBhose, FounderandCEO, TheWellPlaced andKarenDanker, HeadofCoaching, CareerReturners
Book Review
EmbracingthePowerofRethinking withAdamGrant's“ThinkAgain”
Returning to the workforce after a long career break can be daunting, but Adam Grant's enlightening book, “Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know”, offers invaluable insights that can help you navigate this transition with confidence and
agility. Grant, an organisational psychologist and professor at the Wharton School, emphasises the importance of flexibility, curiosity, and the willingness to rethink and unlearn outdated beliefs.
KeyThemes:
TheValueofRethinking:Grantarguesthat intellectualhumility-theabilitytorecognise thelimitsofourknowledge-iscrucialfor personalandprofessionalgrowth.He encouragesreaderstoembracethemindset ofascientist:alwaysquestioning, experimenting,andlearning.
TheJoyofBeingWrong:Ratherthan fearingmistakes,Grantsuggeststhatwe shouldcelebratethemasopportunitiesfor learning.Thisperspectiveshiftcan transformsetbacksintosteppingstonesfor success.
ThePowerofCollectiveRethinking: Engaginginconstructivedebatesand seekingdiverseperspectivescanleadto betterdecision-makingandmoreinnovative solutions.Grantemphasizestheimportance ofsurroundingourselveswithpeoplewho challengeourthinking.
RethinkinginPractice:Grantoffers practicaladviceonhowtocultivatea rethinkingmindset,includingtechniquesfor improvingourlisteningskills,askingbetter questions,andcreatingenvironmentsthat encourageopendialogue.
KeyTakeawaysforCareerReturners:
EmbraceaGrowthMindset: Recognise thatyourskillsandknowledgecanalways beexpanded.Approachyourreturnto workasanopportunitytolearnandgrow ratherthanatestofyourcurrentabilities.
SeekFeedbackandMentorship: Don’t hesitatetoaskforfeedbackandseekout mentorswhocanprovideguidanceand support.Constructivecriticismisa valuabletoolfordevelopment.
UpdateYourKnowledgeandSkills: The workplacemayhaveevolvedsinceyour lastrole.Investtimeinupdatingyour skills,whetherthroughformaleducation, onlinecourses,oron-the-jobtraining.
NetworkandBuildRelationships: Reconnectwitholdcolleaguesandmake anefforttobuildnewprofessional relationships.Networkingcanprovide valuableinsightsandopendoorstonew opportunities.
BeOpentoChange: Theabilitytoadapt tonewtechnologies,methodologies,and workplaceculturesiscrucial.Staycurious andbewillingtorethinkyourapproaches andstrategies.
ChampionDiversityofThought: Surroundyourselfwithdiverse perspectives.Engageindiscussionsthat challengeyourviewpointsandencourage collaborativeproblem-solving. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
CultivateResilience: Understandthat setbacksarepartofthejourney.Use themaslearningexperiencestorefine yourapproachandbuildresilience.
FinalThoughts:
AdamGrant's“ThinkAgain”isacompellingguideforanyone lookingtore-entertheworkforcewithafresh,adaptivemindset. Byembracingthepowerofrethinking,youcannavigatethe complexitiesofmodernworkenvironmentswithconfidence, resilience,andarenewedsenseofpurpose Whetheryou're updatingyourskills,seekingmentorship,orsimplyadjustingyour outlook,rememberthatthewillingnesstorethinkandadaptisyour greatestasset
Our coaching team is on hand to answer your questions!
I’ve been on a career break for 9 years and want to get back to work but don’t know how and where to start?
Don’tworrythisisverycommon!
Ifitallfeelsalittleoverwhelming,agoodplacetostartistofollowa clearroadmapforyourreturntowork.Firstbeclearonwhyyou’re returningtowork,thenconsiderwhatyouwanttoreturnto,and finallyfocusonhowyou'regoingtogetthere,makingaclearaction planforyourjobsearch.
Why
isoftenoverlookedaswegostraighttothinking‘Whatcanwedo’and‘Howcan wegetit’.Everyonehasdifferentmotivationsandprioritiesforwhytheyarelookingto returntoworksobeingclearaboutyourownmotivationswillhelpkeepyouontrackin exploringwhatrolesorsectorsyou'dliketofocuson
What
-Agoodwaytothinkaboutwhatyou’dliketodoistospendsometime reflectingonyourstrengths(qualities/activitiesthatenergiseyou),yourvalues (what’simportanttoyounow)andyourinterests(areasoractivitiesthatinterest younowatthisstageofyourcareer) Thiswillhelpyoutocomeupwithalistof criteriathroughwhichyoucanbrainstormideasandthenfilterthemdowntoafew mostappealingoptionstoexplorefurther
How
-Havingaclearactionplanisthenusefultohelpyounavigateyourwaythrough yourreturntoworkjourneyandhelpyouprioritiseyourjobsearch Onceyouareaware ofthetypesofjobsyouwanttoapplyfor,turntoyournetworktouncovermoreinfo, insightsandideasincludingroutesin.Withthisinformation,youcanthenstartupdating yourCVandLinkedInprofiletoconveyyourkeyrelevantstrengthsandexperiencesin linewiththese
What are the different routes back to work I could explore?
Think creatively volunteering different routes support
aboutyouroptionstoreturntoworkastherearemorethan youmightthink!ItmightnotbeastraightAtoBreturntowhatyoudidpreviously.We seereturnerstryingoutlotsofdifferentroutestobuildconfidenceandexpertisealong theway
Skilledorstrategic isagreatwaytobuildyourconfidenceand utiliseyourskillsetafterabreakandcanleadtofurthercareeropportunities Couldyou offeryourskillsinmarketing,legal,finance,stakeholdermanagement,forexample, supportingacharityorbusinesstoenableyoutobuilduptherightexperiencetomove intoapermanentpaidrole?Ifyou’relookingforacareerpivotorchangethiscouldbea greatwaytotryoutanewareaandbuildcontacts
Intermsof intopaidwork,youmightwanttolookatworking independentlyasafreelancer Thisisagreatoptionforfreedomandflexibilityand therearelotsofwebsitestohelpyoulookforworkthatbestplaystoyourskillsand expertise Associateworkcouldbeanotherconsideration,providingadvantagesover freelancingastheorganisationyoucontractwithisnormallyresponsibleforwinning newwork.Offeringtodoproject-basedworkforanorganisationorinterimroles, coveringmatleaveorlong-termsickness,canalsobeagreatwayintoanorganisation andopendoorsforyouthere Forbothproject-basedandinterimrolesyouaremost likelytofindtheseopportunitiesbyconnectingwithandtalkingtoyournetwork,sobe braveandhavethoseconversations!
Wehavelotsof onnetworkinginthe blogsection ofourwebsite Doalso takealookatthe ReturnerProgrammes onourwebsitewhichoffersupportedroutes backtopaidwork Toensureyoudon’tmissoutonhearingabouttheseopportunities, makesureyou’vejoinedour professionalnetwork!
Volunteering Opportunities Directory
Aselectionoforganisationsforskilled/strategicvolunteering
CareerReady
Volunteertohelpyoungpeople
Charterpath Opportunitiesforfinance professionals
ReachVolunteering Opportunitieswithcharities lookingforprofessionalskills
ScottishTechArmy Opportunitiesinallareasof techandalllevelsof experiencewelcome
Do-It
Largesearchabledatabaseof volunteeropportunities
TechnologyVolunteers Opportunitiestouseskillsin tech
GettingonBoard
Board-levelvolunteering opportunities
Nurole
Invitationonlyboardlevel onlinerecruitment
WomenonBoards
Networkprovidingapplication adviceandaccesstoalltypes ofboardandtrusteeroles
Somecharitiesoffervoluntaryinternships,typically3months,whicharesuitablefor returnersaswellasyoungerpeople:eg CancerResearch, RedCross, Barnardos
Webinars & Events
NEWPODCAST:Part-timeWorks
A new podcast from Timewise and Phoenix Insights to explore, understand and celebrate good part-time working.
OurfriendsatTimewisehavejustlaunchedanewpodcast serieshighlightingsomefantastic,inspiringstoriesofpeople workingpart-time!Takealisten!
#PartTimeWorks#PartTimeMatters
10 - 11am (UK time)
JoinKaren,ourHeadofCoachingandMayaBhose,FounderofTheWell Placed,forthisfree,interactivesession,whereMayawilltakeyou through:
Theobstaclestolandingyourfirstcharityjob WhatTheWellPlacedpilotprogrammeinvolved Whatshelearnt HowtoapplyforaplacementontheirupcomingNovember programme
Registrationclosesat11.59pm(UKtime)on1July
COMINGSOON-NewepisodesofourCareerReturnersPodcast!
We’reexcitedtobringyousomenewepisodesofourCareerReturners Podcastcomingoverthenextfewmonths!Lookoutforourmini-series ofepisodesfeaturingcareerchangestorieslaunchingthisAutumn
Andinthemeantime,youcancatchuponourprevious2seriesYou canstilllistentoallepisodesforfreeviaourwebsite
WithMayaBhose, FounderandCEO, TheWellPlaced andKarenDanker, HeadofCoaching, CareerReturners
