Your Return March 24

Support and inspiration for career returners Issue 1 I March 2024

Welcome!

This month we’re excited to bring you our new look Magazine! Packed with advice, top tips, features and stories, we hope you’ll enjoy this bumper packed edition.

In this month’s issue, we’re tackling your return to work fears with practical strategies for managing your negativity bias and inner critic. We explore how to navigate a career pivot in ‘Ask the Coaches’, and if you’re considering a career change on your return, then don’t forget to book your place on our free webinar on 18 April with Careershifters.

This month marked the launch of our new campaign #EndTheCareerBreakPenalty.

We’ve been buoyed by the support we’ve received and are looking forward to seeing more employers tackle the challenge of ending the recruitment bias against those who’ve taken a career break. Look out for our posts on social media on this in the coming weeks, and do like, share and repost our messages to amplify our voice!

With new Flexible Working rights for new employees coming into force on 6 April 2024, we look at how to think about the flexibility you need to achieve a successful and fulfilling return to work

Contributors Karen Danker Head of Coaching

Liz Mearns Deputy Head of Coaching

Lauren Wilson Lead Coach

Maharukh Dalal Lead Coach

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We hope you enjoy reading this month’s Success Story about Melissa who shares her inspiring story of successfully returning to work after an 18 year career break, as well as our Q&A with our new coach Maharukh who shares her journey into coaching and top tips for your return.

Finally, don’t forget to book your ‘Early Bird’ ticket to our annual online Back to Your Future Conference – tickets go up to full price from 1 April.

Happy reading!

Karen & Liz Career Returners Coaching Team

Your Return Brought to you by:

Contents

Sponsored by:

MARCH 2024

3 Managing Return to Work Fears We look at ways to manage your inner critic and negativity bias to allow you to make the most of your journey back to work

9 #EndTheCareerBreakPenalty We look at the results of our Career Returners Indicator 2024 survey and our new campaign to support employers to tackle the recruitment bias against returners

5 Melissa’s Success Story Melissa shares the challenges and joys of resuming her career as an Account Executive after an 18-year career break

7 Meet Maharukh Our newest member of our Coaching Team explains why she loves coaching returners and shares her top tips for success

8 Flexible Working

11 Ask the Coaches Our team answer your questions on boosting confidence and pivoting to a new career after an extended break

12 Webinars & Events The latest events to inspire and encourage your return to work

What do you need to consider when thinking about flexible working and how the new Flexible Working Act will hopefully ease the way for returners

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“We all have this unhelpful voice - recognising that this is what’s at play here can help you gain some distance and objectivity” Photo by Sammie Chaffin on Unsplash

Advice BLOG

Contemplating returning to work after a

career break can feel scary and sometimes overwhelming.

We’d like to reassure you that these feelings are very normal as you negotiate the ups and downs of returning to work. However, there are strategies that you can use to overcome them.

These can be very empowering and help give you the boost you need to keep moving forward.

Common fears These are some of the typical worries we hear: ‘I’ve lost all my skills and knowledge after such a long time out’ ‘I’ll never get back to speed when everything’s moved on so much’ ‘No-one will employ me with such a large gap on my CV’ ‘My family won’t cope without me’ Fears such as these can be so powerful that they stop you in your tracks before you even get going.

Managing your fears The first step is to recognise that this is your Negativity Bias playing loud and clear! Our brains have evolved to keep us safe. In evolutionary times, understanding all the potential risks of a situation kept us out of danger’s way and alive. Nowadays, our minds have not evolved as much as our environment.

So when we’re stepping outside of our comfort zone – such as looking to return to work after a career break - our minds fire up with everything that might go wrong. Your mind wants to keep you safe, but it can just keep you stuck!

Alongside negativity bias is its firm friend and accomplice: your Inner Critic! You’ll recognise your inner critic – it’s the unhelpful soundtrack that plays in your head. It might tell you ‘You’re too old to go back to work’, or ‘You’re being selfish for wanting to leave your family to work. We all have this unhelpful voice – recognising that this is what’s at play here, can help you to gain some distance and objectivity.

When your negativity bias rears its head, first acknowledge these are thoughts not proven reality.

Then aim to balance the negativity, seeking counter evidence to reality-test your thoughts: If your inner critic is suggesting you’re not capable, list out your strengths, together with the achievements and experiences that demonstrate what you have done in the past and can do again.

If your thoughts are focused on what could go wrong, consider all the things that could go right.

We call this ‘positive what-iffing!’. So instead of ‘what if I don’t remember anything?’, reframe it to ‘what if my knowledge comes back quickly once I’m back in role, plus I also have a whole host of transferable skills I can bring to it from my career break?’ It opens your mind to the positive possibilities and helps you to get excited about your return.

Read more in our Back to Your Future Blog

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Melissa’s Success Story Taking the plunge was the hardest step, but once I had decided I was ready to return to the workplace I didn’t look back.

Melissa Schofield Account Executive Gallagher Re (18 year career break)

The time had come when I felt my family were able to cope without me.

I have 4 children with a 13-year gap from the oldest to the youngest.

My eldest two children needed a lot of support and input from me for many years for various reasons. My younger two were much easier and therefore as soon as they were both old enough for school I felt it was time for me to think about returning to work.

As I’m based in a market town in the Midlands, I looked for local jobs, but there wasn’t much that would utilise my skills and experience. I spoke to a friend who told me about Career Returners and the opportunities they offer to people who are looking to restart their

careers. I started to look at the Career Returners website and joined webinars, then attended online sessions with recruiters. I found the Career Returners sessions on creating a skills-based CV to be very helpful. I also found the sessions on creating a professional identity an essential start to ‘rebranding’ myself as a professional.

“Seeing this confident, professional returner gave me confidence that it was possible to resume a career despite a lengthy career break” However, what really made me decide to aim for a return to a professional career was seeing one of the speakers at the Women Returners Conference who had returned to a career after a break of about 18 years. Not only that, but she also had a large family and I discovered she was an ex-colleague I’d worked with many years ago. Seeing this confident,

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professional returner gave me confidence that it was possible to resume a career despite a lengthy break. I began my return to work through applying for jobs, both locally and through Career Returners. I had passed the initial interview stage, and been given offers, for some of those roles. Whilst waiting for my second interviews I attended a Launch Event with

Inspiration SUCCESS STORY Gallagher Re and Career Returners, and that was where I heard about the role I’m in now. When the recruiters talked about what they were looking for and what the opportunity involved, I felt I had found my match! I quickly applied and progressed through the interview stages and was offered the job. I was therefore in the enviable position of having a choice of roles, and I took the role with Gallagher Re, on a 6month returnship.

There were a few things that really helped. About 10 days before I started work, I had a lunch with my new team at Gallagher Re, so that meant I didn’t feel as though I was starting work with complete strangers. I also had time in my diary on day 1 with my Career Returners coach, so I knew there would be someone there who understood how it felt to be back in the workplace after a break. Finally, my manager was well prepared and very supportive. He had created a highlevel plan for me and had things ready for me to read, as well as all my IT equipment, so I was able to work from a plan and start learning from day 1.

“I also had time in my diary on day 1 with my Career Returners coach, so I knew there would be someone there who understood how it felt” Career Returners opened up the door and presented me with opportunities within organisations that were prepared to take people back from career breaks and ease them with support. I don’t think I would have dared to look for the professional role I’m in now without their support. I wouldn’t have had the confidence to apply for roles, and I would have been too nervous about hitting the ground running. My colleagues at Gallagher Re were incredibly supportive and my manager was proactive in helping me take the time to build up my confidence. Knowing that I would also be receiving coaching sessions throughout my first few months in the role really helped.

“My career break experiences showed that I had the ability to try my hand at anything” During my career break I juggled a household of 8, and home-schooled 4 of them. This was alongside ten years of specialist fostering, and making significant changes to various processes and procedures within the fostering team. I also qualified as a primary school teacher and later studied for a technical Master’s degree.

I think my career break experiences showed that I had the ability to try my hand at anything, balance several responsibilities at the same time, and spot needs for change and action them.

I look back now and recall how nervous I was on my first day - having been out of the professional world for so long I felt it would be really obvious that I was the new person who hadn’t a clue what she was doing! To all of you out there who have had a career break, I really want to encourage you to go for it. If I can do it, so can you.

“To all of you out there who have had a career break, I really want to encourage you to go for it. If I can do it, so can you” There will be opportunities out there that suit your skills and experience and the more of us that return the easier it will become for it to be an acceptable thing to do.

Read more inspiring stories in our Success Story Library

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Career Returners COACHING TEAM

Meet Maharukh

Our newest member of the coaching team tells us why she loves coaching returners and explains some of the challenges she helps them to overcome stages. Additionally, there's the task of reconnecting with professional networks or building new ones in their industry or field. Another common theme is aligning their career aspirations with their current personal goals and values, which may have shifted during their time away from the workforce. These themes underscore the multifaceted nature of the transition back into professional life, requiring both strategic planning and emotional resilience.

Welcome to our Career Returners coaching team Maharukh! Tell us a little bit about your professional background?

I'm delighted to join the Career Returners coaching team! With over two decades of experience, my professional journey has taken me across the globe, from the United States to the UK, Singapore, and my birthplace, India. This international exposure has given me a broad perspective on the varied cultural and business landscapes, enriching my ability to support a diverse array of clients.

Throughout my career, I've navigated through a variety of sectors, including finance, hospitality and consulting.

This has allowed me to develop a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within these industries, as well as a strategic mindset. My experience has been foundational in shaping my approach to leadership development and coaching, focusing on empowering individuals to reach their full potential.

What sparked your journey into coaching?

My path to coaching was ignited by observing the significant impact that targeted support and strategic guidance can have on a professional's ability to achieve their potential.

Inspired by my own experiences with mentors who catalysed my growth, I was drawn to coaching to empower others, particularly women, to overcome challenges and unlock their full capabilities. This passion, coupled with my diverse background in multiple industries, motivated me to pursue formal coaching training. My goal became to provide the crucial

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partnership and insight that can transform professional journeys, fulfilling my desire to contribute to the success and advancement of professionals.

What do you love about coaching?

What I love most about coaching is witnessing the growth and transformation of my clients as they uncover new levels of self-awareness and achieve their professional goals.

It’s rewarding to guide individuals through their journey of growth and see them surpass their own expectations.

What are some of the typical themes you see coming up for returners as they return to work?

Typical themes that often arise for returners as they navigate their reentry into the workforce include rebuilding confidence and combating imposter syndrome, updating and adapting their skills to current market demands, and managing work-life balance, especially for those who have caregiving responsibilities. Many returners also face challenges in negotiating flexible work arrangements that accommodate their new life

What are your top tips for navigating these?

Here are my top tips for navigating the challenges returners face when reentering the workforce: Prioritise Self-Care: The process of re-entering the workforce can be demanding, both mentally and physically. It's crucial to maintain your well-being by integrating self-care practices into your routine. Whether it's through exercise, hobbies, or spending time with loved ones, selfcare helps sustain your energy and focus during this transition.

Set Realistic Goals: Begin your return-to-work journey by setting small, achievable goals. This approach can prevent feeling overwhelmed and provide a sense of accomplishment as you tick off each goal. Realistic goalsetting also helps you pace your reentry, ensuring a smoother adjustment to the professional environment.

When you're not working, what are we likely to find you doing?

I enjoy being in nature-both walking in the woods with friends and family as well as pottering around or sitting in my garden. I also enjoy baking at a very amateur level :)

Your New Flexible Working Rights On 6 April 2024, the much awaited new Flexible Working Act comes into force, giving (future) employees the right to request flexible working from Day 1. Previously employees had to be in employment for at least 26 weeks before their statutory right to request flexibility kicked in. The new Act also requires employers to fully explore all flexible working requests and options – all very welcome developments!

This new right will hopefully ease the way for returners to return to work – in our recent survey of our network for our Career Returners Indicator 2024, flexibility was cited as the most important factor for 32% when considering a future role, with a lack of flexible working options being the biggest barrier to returning to work for 12%.

What flexibility do you need?

When considering flexibility, think about what flexibility you need. What are the responsibilities you have that you need to consider and make space for as you return to work? Do you have ongoing caring responsibilities, either for children, elderly relatives, or others? Do you have an ongoing commitment to a voluntary activity e.g. school governor, charity trustee, that you wish to maintain alongside your return to work. Do you have a hobby, passion interest or small side hustle/business that you set up during your career break that you are keen to continue albeit in a reduced way? Do you have health needs that you need to make time for each day to ensure you maintain good health?

The level of flexibility that you seek will also depend on your financial requirements - do you need to work full time or can you consider less.

Once you’ve considered what flexibility you need, reflect on these three areas: Where you want to work, e.g. at home, in the office, hybrid mix of office & home, at the client site, in a shared work space When you want to work, e.g. 9-5, core hours but flex to start or finish early/late, compressed hours, term time How much you want to work, e.g. full time, part time, annualised hours Think about both your non-negotiables and your negotiables. For example your non-negotiable may be that you want to work part time, but your negotiable may be that you’re happy to flex the days you work according to your employer’s needs.

You may also be able to achieve the flexibility you need informally rather than formally i.e. where your flexible working arrangement is written into your contract. A simple verbal agreement with your line manager for example, to start later a few days a week to do the school drop off and make the time up at the end of the day might be all that’s required.

The flexible working landscape in this country has evolved considerably over recent years, and these new changes in legislation will help employees gain the flexibility they need and ease the journey back to work for returners. Flexibility can be a win-win for both employees and employers, helping people return to work sustainably and also enabling employers to attract a wider talent pool and build a more inclusive workplace.

Read more from ACAS on flexible working here

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#EndTheCareerBreakPenalty This month, we launched the findings of our Career Returners Indicator research study, with a call to action to employers to join us in our mission to #EndTheCareerBreakPenalty.

We’ve been excited by the initial response and are enormously thankful to all of you who completed our research survey and took the time to share your experiences of returning to work. We were encouraged to read that:

93% of returners believe their career break skills will add value to an employer 74% believe that a return to their careers IS possible 75% of returners have upskilled with courses and 50% have undertaken skilled volunteering roles

However it was also clear from your experiences that the Career Break Penalty is sadly still alive and kicking:

92% of experienced professionals are finding it challenging to return to a professional role after a long career break, 64% extremely challenging Far too many returning professionals are still hitting the double-whammy of widespread recruitment bias against their CV gap (seen as the greatest barrier by 40%) and a pervasive loss of self-confidence (the greatest barrier for 32%) 27% of those applying for jobs have applied for 50 or more roles 89% feel that being on a career break has negatively impacted their confidence

At Career Returners, we’ve been tackling these challenges over the last 10 years, so we know there is no quick fix for this ingrained, global problem. Over the last decade, we’ve supported thousands of people to successfully return to work in skilled roles thanks to our return-to-work support and the returner programmes of 170 forward-thinking employers, who have partnered with us to move towards inclusive returner hiring. We have made considerable headway, but we want to do more!

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Articles RESEARCH We couldn't agree more with #EndTheCareerBreakPenalty.

We echo this call completely, and hope that all employers take proactive steps to combat recruitment bias against returners. There is a huge pool of experienced individuals on a career break, with such diverse skills.’ Daphne Jackson Trust

92%

64%

Find it challenging to return to professional role

Find it extremely challenging to return to professional role

Our new campaign #EndTheCareerBreakPenalty calls on all employers, regardless of size, to take action to tackle the recruitment bias against returners.

This is what we’re asking employers to do:

1. Learn about Returners: Listen to returner stories on the Career Returners Podcast. Challenge your stereotypes.

2. Remove Screening Bias: Check that your automated or manual application process is NOT screening out candidates just because of their CV gap (a recent study found 43-48% of ATS systems filter out gaps over 6 months).

3. Reduce Advertising Bias: Make sure your job adverts are only asking for ‘current/up-to-date knowledge’ or ‘recent experience’ if this is essential.

4. Reduce Interview Bias: For competency-based interviews, adapt your questions to not ask for ‘recent work examples’. Focus technical interviews on skills rather than knowledge.

74% Believe that a return to their sector is possible

5. Promote Returners as a Strong Candidate Pool: Put career returners on the radar for your recruiters and business leaders as a high-calibre and diverse talent pool. Educate on the full business case and ESG case for hiring returners.

6. Support Returner Hires: Provide transition support for returner hires, such as training, mentoring and (if you have the budget) Career Returners Coaching to help them to rebuild confidence and more rapidly re-integrate.

7. Provide Returner Training to Line Managers: Educate on hiring and supporting candidates returning from career breaks.

8. Target Returner Applicants: Consider adding to job adverts ‘We welcome applications from candidates who have taken a career break’.

9. [If larger] Run a Cohort Returner Programme: Use a proven framework to accelerate returner hiring and create a peer support network.

10. Champion Returner Successes: Continue to break the bias using your real-life examples of successful returner hires.

93% Believe that skills gained during break will increase value they bring

For our returner community, we will continue to help you to navigate past the return to work barriers to successfully return to a fulfilling career, using all your skills and strengths from before and during your break. If your motivation is flagging, then spend some time in our Library of Success Stories reading the journeys and wisdom shared of other returners now successfully back at work.

You can see the full Career Returners Indicator 2024 report: https://careerreturners.com/career-returners-indicator-2024/ Your Return

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Advice

ASK THE COACHES

Our coaching team is on hand to answer your questions!

I’m just about to start a new role after a 6 year career break. What tips do you have to boost my confidence?

Make the most of the onboarding process - use the opportunity to ask lots of questions and learn as much as possible about your new role, colleagues and organisational culture.

Celebrate the small wins - with a steep learning curve ahead, regularly take the time to acknowledge your achievements and progress made. These early successes can build your confidence and create positive momentum.

Find a mentor – see if your organisation has a formal mentoring programme you can join or if not, look for a senior colleague who can act as a mentor. A mentor can offer guidance, support, and feedback, helping you grow in confidence in your new role.

Continue learning - identify any areas you may need to improve, or areas you’re interested in exploring further and proactively look for courses or self-study that will help grow your knowledge and confidence.

Is it possible to pivot and find a new career path after a long absence from work?

Absolutely! Many people successfully transition to new careers by leveraging their skills, experiences, and the right strategies. Here are some steps to help you navigate this transition: Self-Assessment - start with a thorough selfassessment to understand your strengths, weaknesses, interests, and values. Consider what you enjoyed about your previous work and what you didn't. Identify the skills you have that are transferable to other industries or roles.

Skills Development - depending on your new career path, you may need to acquire new skills or update your existing ones. Look for relevant courses, certifications, workshops, or volunteer opportunities to gain the necessary skills and experience. Online platforms offer a plethora of learning resources in various fields.

Networking - connect with professionals in the field you're interested in, attend industry events, and join relevant online communities to gain valuable insights, advice, and even job leads.

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Personal Branding - update your CV and LinkedIn profile to reflect your new career direction. Highlight your transferable skills and any recent training or projects relevant to your desired field. Craft a compelling narrative about your career break and how it has prepared you for a new path.

Strategic Job Searching - when looking for opportunities, focus on roles that value diverse experiences and offer the potential for growth. Tailor your job applications to each role, emphasising your relevant skills and experiences. Consider roles that serve as a bridge between your previous experience and your new career path to ease the transition.

Prepare for Interviews - be ready to discuss your career break and pivot in interviews. Prepare a positive narrative that focuses on the skills and perspectives you've gained during your break and how they make you a valuable candidate for your new career path.

Webinars & Events 18 April

FREE WEBINAR: The Career Change Map: How to Find Fulfilling Work After a Career Break 11am-12pm GMT It’s time to return to work – but the thought of going back to what you were doing before leaves you feeling heavy and uncertain. You’d love to find something new and fulfilling; that gets you excited to go to work; proud to talk about your career, and feeling contented, at peace, and in the right place.

Fun to think about, of course – but not always easy to do.

Join Karen, Head of Coaching at Career Returners and Natasha Stanley, Head Coach for Careershifters, for this interactive session, where Natasha will talk you through: With Natasha Stanley, Head Coach, Careershifters and Karen Danker, Head of Coaching, Career Returners

The 5 stages of a successful shift, based on 18+ years of experience working with thousands of career changers Fun, effective ways to generate fresh, exciting ideas when you’ve been in the same ‘bubble’ for a long time

18 April 11am-12pm

The key things you need to do first – and the things you shouldn’t waste your time on The (counter-intuitive) approaches that underpin a successful move into fulfilling work Strategies and practical tools to tackle the fear and uncertainty of making a change

Register

1-2 May

Women Returners Annual Back to Your Future Conference 2024 Online London Networking Event 7 May Our Annual Conference is THE best way to kick-start or accelerate your return to work after a career break.

Get connected into our supportive returner community, gain advice from our Expert Workshops, be inspired by our Returner Panel, understand what employers are looking for in our Employer Panel and meet with our Employer Sponsor Partners - EDF, FDM Group, J.P. Morgan, Moody’s, St. James’s Place and Workday.

£10 Early Bird tickets are on sale until 31 March and places for the London event are filling fast.

Online, 1-2 May 2024

Book Early Bird Ticket

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