Your Return June 24

Issue 4 I June 2024

Support and inspiration for career returners

Welcome!

Welcome to our June edition! We hope the sunshine has arrived for you, in time to sit back and enjoy our latest Magazine!

In this month’s issue, we shine a light on the charity sector. If you’re looking to change careers and have been considering a move into the charity sector, read our Top Tips by Maya Bhose, Founder of The Well Placed. Last year, Maya launched a pilot programme helping people move from the corporate to the charity sector by gaining paid placements and vital experience within charities. In our webinar on 3 July, Maya shares her journey and how you can apply for a place on her next programme, launching in November.

In ‘Ask the Coaches’, we’re tackling how to get started in your return to work and the different routes back in. The importance of networking runs throughout these topics, and so if you’re looking to build a networking action plan, then our article on ‘Building your return to work support network’ has some useful tips to help you get started and focussed.

Contributors Karen Danker Head of Coaching

Liz Mearns Deputy Head of Coaching

Lauren Wilson Lead Coach

And if you’re looking for some monthly inspiration, read Elaine Diver’s Success Story of returning to work at Deloitte Ireland after a 5-year career break. Elaine talks about the value of upskilling as you prepare for your return, both in terms of helping fill any skills gaps but also perhaps more importantly, to help boost confidence after an extended break.

Happy reading!

Karen & Liz Career Returners Coaching Team

Maharukh Dalal Lead Coach

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Your Return Brought to you by:

Contents

Sponsored by:

JUNE 2024

3 Building Your Return to Work Support Network Networking can be daunting but it is simply a ‘conversation with a purpose’. We look at how to utilise your current network, the benefits of networking and how to tell your career story

13 Ask the Coaches Our team gives advice on first steps as you return to work and the different routes back in

5 Elaine’s Success Story Elaine shares the challenges of imposter syndrome and the value of coaching support in helping her to transition back to work with confidence

7 Returning to Work in the Charity Sector 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

11 Book Review

15 Volunteering Opportunities Directory A selection of organisations offering skilled and strategic volunteering opportunities

16 Webinars & Events Details of a new podcast on working parttime from our friends at Timewise, our next Career Returners Webinar on Returning to Work in the Charity Sector with Maya Bhose and news on our Career Returners Podcast

Key themes and takeaways from Adam Grant’s “Think Again” to help you navigate your transition back to work

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“Whether you are a nervous or natural networker, connecting with others who have a common interest and sharing information is so important”

Advice BLOG

When you are thinking about your return

to work, networking can play a big part in this journey. Whether you are a nervous or natural networker, connecting with others who have a common interest and sharing information is so important.

If you tend to fear it, it can be useful to remember that networking is simply ‘a conversation with purpose’ and can arise from conversations you have all the time with people around you - what do you do? Where have you worked before? Do you know anyone in this field or at this company?

Using your current network Start with your current network and build from there. It can be really useful to plot the different networks you have on paper to capture who your key contacts are.

By creating different groups on your map e.g. family, friends, friends of friends, former colleagues, community friends, volunteering contacts, parents at the school gates… you will start to see different people who could help provide ideas and perspectives which you may not have previously considered. Former colleagues can be really valuable in recommending new people to speak to or sharing opportunities, so take time to reach out to them via LinkedIn and send them a tailored message.

What will networking provide?

Networking can provide valuable insights, ideas and intros. Before reaching out to people, do your prep and consider what they might be best placed to help you with: * Insights - to understand the latest trends, opportunities and challenges for a particular sector so you feel up to date. It might be to understand the finer detail of a role you’re interested in, to see whether you have the skills or experience or whether the reality matches your beliefs. * Ideas - this can be a great opportunity for you to test the validity of some of your ideas and how they land. Are you being realistic? If not, what would you need to do to make your idea more viable? What ideas do they have that you might not have consideredtypes of roles to consider or organisations to explore?

How do they see your skills and experience transferring across? What technical skills are crucial now that you may not have considered?

* Intros - this comes towards the end of the conversation when the person you’re speaking to has a good feel of what you have to offer and what you’re

interested in. Are there any people they’d recommend you reach out to or they can connect you to who might have different ideas or insights?

Your Career Story Getting out and about and telling your career story to different people is so valuable.

It will not only help you to become clearer on what you are looking for, but it may open up lots of opportunities and new angles to investigate. As Herminia Ibarra says in her brilliant book ‘Working Identity’, ‘We discover the true possibilities by doing…. by reworking our story as we tell it to those around us’. For more inspiration, listen to our Career Returners podcast episode ‘Make yourself visible’ which illustrates the power of using your current network.

Career Returners Support If you are looking for further help with how to kickstart your networking, it’s worthwhile remembering you are not alone. We are here to help you and there is lots of valuable information available to you when you sign up to our free network. You will gain access to our monthly webinars, ‘Your Return’ support magazine, and details of our bi-monthly returner opportunities.

We are also excited to share that we will soon be launching our new online community platform for career returners to connect, share, engage, learn and get support - watch this space for more opportunity to get involved and connect with other returners!

Read more in our Back to Your Future Blog Your Return

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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!”

Elaine Diver Consultant Deloitte Ireland 5 year career break

Before my break I had 10 years’ experience in banking working for HSBC and AIB in Dublin, predominantly as a Business Analyst.

I took a career break for 5 years, prompted by the arrival of my second child. I found it hard to get childcare support for both of my children to enable me to keep working, so I made the decision to take time out to care for my children. My plan was to return to work as my youngest got older, however Covid struck, so instead I enjoyed the time with my family and pushed back my return.

During my career break I kept my skills refreshed by completing a project management course and a diploma in data for business.

I decided I was ready to return to my career when my youngest started school and fortunately a good friend saw the advert for the Deloitte Return to Work Programme and passed it on to me. I was delighted to secure a place on the returner programme!

“During your career break you can lose confidence and it’s easy for imposter syndrome to creep in but coming back to work was great”

Returning to work has been fantastic and having the flexibility to work from home has helped enormously. When I started on the first day, I was buzzing to be back - and so ready! During your career break you can lose confidence and it’s easy for imposter syndrome to creep in but coming back to work was great, I’ve loved the clients and projects I’m involved with and the brilliant team around me. I feel very lucky.

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Inspiration SUCCESS STORY

The coaching support I received has been invaluable in helping me to positively transition back into work and believe in myself. I also enjoyed being part of a cohort of returners, everyone was going through a similar journey and very supportive of one another. In addition to the Career Returners coaches, we also had a coach support us from within Deloitte which was great for my career focus and working through specific challenges from within the business.

“The coaching support I received has been invaluable in helping me to positively transition back into work and believe in myself” I feel very positive about being back at work and my kids are also used to me being back now, which is great. Everything has really fallen into place and I don't think I could have had a better start to returning to work.

“Do a little bit of upskilling if you can, for your own confidence and skills” My advice for other returners is to do a little bit of upskilling if you can, for your own confidence and skills. 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!

Have a cheerleader, a good friend or family member who can encourage you to go for it when you might be lacking courage.

“Take the time to reflect on what you did in the past and think of some good examples to discuss” Take the time to reflect on what you did in the past and think of some good examples to discuss. You were capable once; you can be capable again! I had a notebook where I jotted down some examples and took some time to think about my past career and career break and focused on the highlights and transferable skills I’d gained.

“You were capable once; you can be capable again!”

Finally, and practically, it’s also helpful to consider your ‘must haves’ and ‘nice to haves’ when returning to work.

Think about what you need and would like to have in accordance with your personal commitments and discuss that with your prospective employer to hopefully find a solution that works for you both.

Read more inspiring stories in our Success Story Library

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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

How to land your first charity job in mid-life Switching to the charity sector later in your career you may face challenges not having previous charity experience. Here are some tips, from my own experience and from the many conversations I have had with people who have made the switch.

Don’t assume that your track record speaks for itself When I decided to make the move to the charity sector, I thought it would be reasonably straightforward. I had valuable experience, I had worked at a senior level for years in impressive companies, I had led teams of various sizes, I got results, I was prepared to take a pay cut.

I’d be snapped up – right? I found the opposite was true. My network was in the commercial sector. To charity sector hiring managers I had no reputation, no charity track record. I was not on their radar. And ironically I had ignored the foundation of marketing to understand your audience and tell a compelling story that would change behaviour.

Leave no doubt as to how your skills are transferable My advice is to focus on your transferable skills and how you will use them in the advertised role rather than list your job responsibilities. A quick search of what all employers are looking for

Put yourself in the hiring manager’s shoes Would a hiring manager care that I had launched TV channels and smartphones? That I had led a team of 130 in marketing and sales to rebrand an entire satellite TV platform ahead of a successful flotation?

If anything, it probably put them off. My CV explained what I had done, but that held little meaning for them. I was starting in the wrong place. What I should have done was thought about what the hiring manager needed, and how to relate my experience and skills to what they were searching for.

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throws up Communication skills, Teamwork, Adaptability, Problem-Solving, Leadership, Time Management, Creativity.

What examples can you give of how you have used these skills in paid and unpaid work.

Feature RETURNING TO WORK IN THE CHARITY SECTOR Demonstrate your empathy for the cause If you search for what charity employers are looking for there are additional things mentioned - enthusiasm and dedication for your chosen charitable cause, commercial/business awareness, pro-activity and flexibility. Research the charity. Explain why you have an affinity with what they do and give examples of how your personal values align with the cause.

Think about the language you use Some in the charity world believe that wanting to ‘give back’ implies you have been taking, whereas ‘make a difference’ doesn’t. It really is semantics but think of how someone steeped in the sector might be interpreting what you are saying.

Volunteering can be a way in If you believe in the idea of civil society, then think of volunteering, regardless of whether you want to work in the charity sector or not. When it comes to helping you switch, based on conversations I have had with people who were successful using this route, volunteer for a cause you'd like to work for. You can grow your contacts, experience the culture, learn about the work and importantly hear about upcoming vacancies. *See our Directory of Volunteering Opportunities on page 15*

Over-qualified or well-qualified?

Are you applying for a role more junior to the level you have worked at and earning less? There may be an assumption that you’ll get bored so don’t tiptoe around a perceived mismatch and explain outright why the role is attractive. Interviewers are interested in uncovering if you view a lower-level position as a temporary situation, or if you are looking to work at this level long-term.

Remember that many charities have a heavy workload. The burnout rate, especially post Covid, is high. If you are faced with several candidates, and one has no previous charity experience, the manager will need to spend more of their already stretched time helping the newcomer understand the culture. Who would you pick? Think about what you can include in your application that will address this. Can you give examples of where you have learnt quickly?

Your years of experience is an asset If you are switching later in life, what might a hiring manager think about managing someone older, with more experience? Be pro-active in addressing this issue if you are at interview stage. Research shows that co-generational teams are more productive and creative. Teams can solve more complex problems with a mixed age workforce, because different age groups think differently. Your age is an asset if you make it one. I’ve never lied about my age, but in the past I would keep quiet about it. Now, having been on the receiving end of ageism in the job market, I talk openly about the fact that I am in my 60s. It’s been liberating. Being ignored has fired me up to fight against it. Personally, I wouldn’t want to work for an organisation that doesn’t value all its staff, regardless of age.

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Feature RETURNING TO WORK IN THE CHARITY SECTOR Your commercial experience can give you an advantage I spoke with an HR lead from a large charity and they said they actively recruit from outside the sector, because those with a commercial background are more comfortable around metrics and measuring impact. Charities are dependent on funding and as the market shifts they need to diversify their income streams. Give examples of how your commercial experience will benefit the charity. What experience do you have of using data to show impact? You may have experience of things that a corporate has been able to invest in that a charity wouldn’t. Your commercial perspective is an asset, but it’s up to you to explain why.

Get a foot in the door Do you know anyone who works in a charity who can offer advice or introduce you to anyone who works in the discipline you are interested in? Many people are generous with their time and will make time for a chat. That’s how my eventual move to the sector started – with a coffee and me asking for advice. Look at job boards for project work and interim contracts, anything that will give you some charity experience that you can then add to your CV.

Think about the organisation’s culture and show how you can adapt Another reservation I have heard from within charities is that people coming in for the firsttime rush around suggesting how to improve things. “Many charities, especially smaller ones, are cautious, risk averse and don’t want people who are potentially going to rock the boat or be too impatient.” The culture will be different to what you are used to. Give examples of where you have been flexible and adapted to a different culture. Once in a job remember the maxim to listen twice as much as you speak.

Believe in yourself I had days when I never thought I’d make the switch and almost gave up. On those days I would look at my CV and remind myself what I was capable of. Believe in yourself. You know who you are. You know your value. That’s the story you need to tell.

THE WELL PLACED Refusing to be forced into early retirement I founded The Well Placed. It’s a not-for-profit that helps people in mid-life, wanting work with more purpose, to transfer their commercial skills into the charity sector which has a critical skills shortage. We work with leading charities such as Age UK and the WI to offer 6-month paid placements as a stepping stone into the sector.

3 of the 6 women on our pilot study were returners having taken career breaks to support their children through school.

Applications for our November cohort open June 11th and you can find more information on our website Maya Bhose, Founder, The Well Placed

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Wednesday 3 July 10-11am (UK Time) Online A second career in the charity sector Are you looking to return to work and considering a career in the charity sector for the first time? Or have you already been trying to return to work into the charity sector and keep coming up against barriers, despite having years of transferable skills and experience through your former work? If so, this webinar is for you!

With Maya Bhose, Founder and CEO, The Well Placed and Karen Danker, Head of Coaching, Career Returners

3 July

10-11am After 25 years working in commercial marketing for media and tech brands, and following a redundancy, Maya Bhose decided to find work with more purpose and switch to the charity sector. She thought it would be a simple process to land a job in a charity as she had a lot of valuable experience and skills to offer. The reality was the opposite. She eventually made the move because someone gave her a chance.

The charity sector has now overtaken the private and public sectors in terms of a skills shortage.

Charity vacancies, driven by missing skills, have tripled in the last decade. Suspecting that there were many others like her with valuable experience to share, yet finding the charity sector impenetrable, Maya launched The Well Placed.

The Well Placed is a not-for-profit company which helps people in mid-life, wanting work with more purpose, to transfer their commercial skills to the charity sector. It works with leading charities such as Age UK and The Women’s Institute to offer 6-month paid placements as a stepping stone into the sector. Half of the women on the pilot placement programme this year were returners.

Join Karen, our Head of Coaching and Maya Bhose, Founder of The Well Placed, for this free, interactive session, where Maya will take you through: The obstacles to landing your first charity job What The Well Placed pilot programme involved What she learnt How to apply for a placement on their upcoming November programme

Book

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Book Review

Embracing the Power of Rethinking with Adam Grant's “Think Again” 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.

Key Themes:

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The Value of Rethinking: Grant argues that intellectual humility - the ability to recognise the limits of our knowledge - is crucial for personal and professional growth. He encourages readers to embrace the mindset of a scientist: always questioning, experimenting, and learning.

The Power of Collective Rethinking: Engaging in constructive debates and seeking diverse perspectives can lead to better decision-making and more innovative solutions. Grant emphasizes the importance of surrounding ourselves with people who challenge our thinking.

The Joy of Being Wrong: Rather than fearing mistakes, Grant suggests that we should celebrate them as opportunities for learning. This perspective shift can transform setbacks into stepping stones for success.

Rethinking in Practice: Grant offers practical advice on how to cultivate a rethinking mindset, including techniques for improving our listening skills, asking better questions, and creating environments that encourage open dialogue.

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Inspiration

BOOK REVIEW

Key Takeaways for Career Returners:

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Embrace a Growth Mindset: Recognise that your skills and knowledge can always be expanded. Approach your return to work as an opportunity to learn and grow rather than a test of your current abilities.

Feedback and Mentorship: Don’t 2 Seek hesitate to ask for feedback and seek out mentors who can provide guidance and support. Constructive criticism is a valuable tool for development.

Your Knowledge and Skills: The 3 Update workplace may have evolved since your last role. Invest time in updating your skills, whether through formal education, online courses, or on-the-job training.

4 setbacks are part of the journey. Use

Cultivate Resilience: Understand that

and Build Relationships: 5 Network Reconnect with old colleagues and make an effort to build new professional relationships. Networking can provide valuable insights and open doors to new opportunities.

Open to Change: The ability to adapt 6 Be to new technologies, methodologies, and workplace cultures is crucial. Stay curious and be willing to rethink your approaches and strategies.

Diversity of Thought: 7 Champion Surround yourself with diverse perspectives. Engage in discussions that challenge your viewpoints and encourage collaborative problem-solving.

them as learning experiences to refine your approach and build resilience.

Final Thoughts: Adam Grant's “Think Again” is a compelling guide for anyone looking to re-enter the workforce with a fresh, adaptive mindset.

By embracing the power of rethinking, you can navigate the complexities of modern work environments with confidence, resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose. Whether you're updating your skills, seeking mentorship, or simply adjusting your outlook, remember that the willingness to rethink and adapt is your greatest asset.

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Advice

ASK THE COACHES

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’t worry this is very common!

If it all feels a little overwhelming, a good place to start is to follow a clear roadmap for your return to work. First be clear on why you’re returning to work, then consider what you want to return to, and finally focus on how you're going to get there, making a clear action plan for your job search.

Why is often overlooked as we go straight to thinking ‘What can we do’ and ‘How can

we get it’. Everyone has different motivations and priorities for why they are looking to return to work so being clear about your own motivations will help keep you on track in exploring what roles or sectors you'd like to focus on.

What - A good way to think about what you’d like to do is to spend some time

reflecting on your strengths (qualities/activities that energise you), your values (what’s important to you now) and your interests (areas or activities that interest you now at this stage of your career). This will help you to come up with a list of criteria through which you can brainstorm ideas and then filter them down to a few most appealing options to explore further.

How - Having a clear action plan is then useful to help you navigate your way through

your return to work journey and help you prioritise your job search. Once you are aware of the types of jobs you want to apply for, turn to your network to uncover more info, insights and ideas including routes in. With this information, you can then start updating your CV and LinkedIn profile to convey your key relevant strengths and experiences in line with these.

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Advice

ASK THE COACHES

What are the different routes back to work I could explore?

Think creatively about your options to return to work as there are more than

you might think! It might not be a straight A to B return to what you did previously. We see returners trying out lots of different routes to build confidence and expertise along the way.

volunteering

Skilled or strategic is a great way to build your confidence and utilise your skillset after a break and can lead to further career opportunities. Could you offer your skills in marketing, legal, finance, stakeholder management, for example, supporting a charity or business to enable you to build up the right experience to move into a permanent paid role? If you’re looking for a career pivot or change this could be a great way to try out a new area and build contacts.

different routes

In terms of into paid work, you might want to look at working independently as a freelancer. This is a great option for freedom and flexibility and there are lots of websites to help you look for work that best plays to your skills and expertise. Associate work could be another consideration, providing advantages over freelancing as the organisation you contract with is normally responsible for winning new work. Offering to do project-based work for an organisation or interim roles, covering mat leave or long-term sickness, can also be a great way into an organisation and open doors for you there. For both project-based and interim roles you are most likely to find these opportunities by connecting with and talking to your network, so be brave and have those conversations!

support

We have lots of on networking in the blog section of our website. Do also take a look at the Returner Programmes on our website which offer supported routes back to paid work. To ensure you don’t miss out on hearing about these opportunities, make sure you’ve joined our professional network!

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Volunteering Opportunities Directory A selection of organisations for skilled/strategic volunteering

Career Ready

Charterpath

Do-It

Volunteer to help young people

Opportunities for finance professionals

Large searchable database of volunteer opportunities

Reach Volunteering

Scottish Tech Army

Technology Volunteers

Opportunities with charities looking for professional skills

Opportunities in all areas of tech and all levels of experience welcome

Opportunities to use skills in tech

Getting on Board

Nurole

Women on Boards

Board-level volunteering opportunities

Invitation only board level online recruitment

Network providing application advice and access to all types of board and trustee roles

Some charities offer voluntary internships, typically 3 months, which are suitable for returners as well as younger people: eg Cancer Research, Red Cross, Barnardos

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Webinars & Events Now

NEW PODCAST: Part-time Works A new podcast from Timewise and Phoenix Insights to explore, understand and celebrate good part-time working.

Our friends at Timewise have just launched a new podcast series highlighting some fantastic, inspiring stories of people working part-time! Take a listen! #PartTimeWorks #PartTimeMatters

Listen

3 July

Career Returners Webinar Series 2024: Returning to Work in the Charity Sector Online 10 - 11am (UK time) Join Karen, our Head of Coaching and Maya Bhose, Founder of The Well Placed, for this free, interactive session, where Maya will take you through: The obstacles to landing your first charity job What The Well Placed pilot programme involved What she learnt How to apply for a placement on their upcoming November programme

With Maya Bhose, Founder and CEO, The Well Placed and Karen Danker, Head of Coaching, Career Returners

Registration closes at 11.59pm (UK time) on 1 July

Book

Soon

3 July 10-11am

COMING SOON - New episodes of our Career Returners Podcast!

We’re excited to bring you some new episodes of our Career Returners Podcast coming over the next few months! Look out for our mini-series of episodes featuring career change stories launching this Autumn.

And in the meantime, you can catch up on our previous 2 series. You can still listen to all episodes for free via our website.

CAREER

RETURNERS Listen

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