Your Return May 24

Welcome!

WelcometoourMayedition!We’restillonahighfromlast month’sconference–afantasticbumperpacked2daysonline, followedbyanenergisinginpersonnetworkingmorningbringing everyonetogether(seelovelyfrontcoverpic!)tocontinuethelearningand connection TheConferencereallyisthehighlightofouryear–anopportunitytocome togetherasateam,celebratethesuccessesofourreturners,introducereturner employerstoyouandgettoknowyou,ouramazingreturnercommunity.

Inthismonth’sissue,wesharetheadviceofourreturnerandemployerpanellistsfrom theConferenceaswellastakeadeeperdiveintooneofourpartnerreturner programmes,JP Morgan’slongrunningReEntryProgram Here,GlobalProgram ManagerCedricLaytonshareshisexperienceofrunningtheProgramandadvicefor returners,andCarol-AnnereflectsonherexperienceofjoiningtheProgramin2023.

In‘AsktheCoaches’,we’retacklinghowtopositionyourcareerbreak positivelyaswellashowtohavetheconfidencetogoafterwhatyouwant afteracareerbreak.Ifyou’relookingforsomeinspirationthismonth,read ShivaniAgarwal’sSuccessStoryofreturningtoworkatM&Gaftera5year careerbreak Shivanihadthecouragetoreturntosomethingdifferent,

Contributors

KarenDanker HeadofCoaching

LizMearns DeputyHeadof Coaching

LaurenWilson LeadCoach

MaharukhDalal LeadCoach

upskillinginhercareerbreaktogiveherthetechnicalskills andconfidencesheneededtohelphermakethat transition

ForthosenewtotheUKandlookingforadviceonhowto getstartedinyourreturntowork,thensignuptoour webinaron4JunewithYettyWilliams,DigitalCoachand FounderofLagosMumsUKwherewe’lltakeyouthrough thebasicsonCVs,networkingandreturnerpathways.

Wehopeyouenjoythismonth’spackededitionandhappy reading! CareerReturnersCoachingTeam

3 Shivani’s Success Story

Shivanisharesherexperiencesofchanging careerandthevalueofthesupportshe foundfromherreturnerpeers

5 Back to Your Future Conference 2024

InsightsandadvicefromourReturnerand EmployerPanellistsonasuccessfulreturn toworkandwhyemployersvaluereturners

11 Returning to Work at J.P. Morgan

CedricLayton,GlobalReEntryProgram ManagerandCarol-AnneSquires,2023 ReEntryProgramFellowsharetheir experienceandadviceforreturningto workatJ.P.Morgan

15 Book Review

Keytakeawaysandactionableinsights fromBrenéBrown’sNewYorkTimes Bestseller“TheGiftsofImperfection”

16 Meet

Liz

OurDeputyHeadofCoachingsharesher routeintocoaching,whysheloveshelping returnerstoovercomebarriersandhertop tipsforcraftingyourcareerstory

17 Ask the Coaches

Ourteamgivesadviceonhowtopositiona longcareerbreakpositivelyanddevelopa confident,pro-activemindset

18 Webinars & Events

Detailsofournextwebinarformemberson ReturningtoWorkintheUKwith Confidence,andspecialaccesstoour ConferenceWorkshoprecordingonTaking theFearOutofNetworking

BusinessAnalyst

Shivani’s Success Story

“It gave me a huge confidence boost when I learned that returners are actively being sought out through returner programmes”

PriortomycareerbreakIspentmuchofmycareerworkingin InsuranceforPrudential Iwasfortunatetodoalotofdifferent roleswithinthebusinesstakingsecondmentsandmovingaround teams Mycareerbreakcameunexpectedlyafter13yearsbecause mybusinessareabecameoutsourced.Itcreatedanopportunityfor metostepback,Iwasn’tlookingforthebreak,butithappened Anditseemedliketherighttimeandtherightplaceinmylifetobe doingthat,soItookit

Mycareerbreakwasfor5years,longerthanIanticipated,butI wasmostlyconcentratingonhomelifewiththechildrenand helpingthemtotransitionfromprimarytosecondaryschool We werelookingforahousetobuy,Itravelledalot,andItriedafew businessideas,butthenquicklyrealisedthatI'mmoreattunedto workinginstructuredenvironmentswhichisoneofthereasonsI decidedtocomeback.

“Theaddedcomplexityformewastonotgobacktothesame industryandsamekindofrole.Iwantedtotrysomethingnew.”

Ialsostartedtofeelagapasthechildren becamemoresettledintheirsecondaryschools Iusedtobequitebusybutnowsomethingwas missing Iwasn'tutilisingcertainpartsofmy brainandtherewasacravingtotalktoadults more!Ihadafewclosefriendsinasimilar

positiontryingtogetbacktowork,sowewould talkalotandIwouldencouragethemnotto haveself-doubts ButIhadthoseself-doubts myselfandtheaddedcomplexityformewasto notgobacktothesameindustryandsamekind ofrole.Iwantedtotrysomethingnew.

Afriendmentionedtherewaslotsofsupport availableforreturnersandthattheUK Governmentprovidesretrainingprogrammes,so IsignedupforacertificationwithMicrosoft Idid nothaveanextensivenetworkthatIcouldreach outto,soitgavemeahugeconfidenceboost whenIlearnedthatreturnersareactivelybeing soughtoutthroughreturnerprogrammes That helpedmepushbacksomeoftheself-doubtand aftersometimeIappliedfortheM&Grolewhich hadalotofsynergieswithmyexperienceso seemedlikeagoodfit

M&Gtreatedmeliketheexperienced professionalIamandI'msogratefulforthat. Therewasnohesitationaroundthrowingmein thethickofthingsandmylinemanagerhasbeen brilliant He’sbeenverygoodatgivingfeedback, noticingwhatI’mdoingwell,likeawellworded email,orgoodthinkingonaproblemortask.

“WhatI’vefoundisthatthe environmentisquitemixed,andI didn'tfeellikeIwaslikeadinosaur comingback!”

Ithinktheotherpartwhichalotofpeopleworry aboutisworkingwithyoungerpeopleorbeing quiteseniorinageandnotmatchingthecareer progressionoftheircolleagues WhatI’vefound isthattheenvironmentisquitemixed,andI didn'tfeellikeIwaslikeadinosaurcomingback! IjustfeellikeI'mheretolearnandgain experienceandIthinktherearealotofthings thatenablethatculturallyhereatM&G

Thepeersupportfromtheprogrammehasbeen reallyhelpfulbecausewe'vehadasimilar experienceandthatjustreinforcesthatImade therightdecisioncomingbacktowork Other helpfulsupporthasbeenfromcolleagueswho havebeengoodatidentifyingwheremy expertiseliesandpointingmeintheright directiontolearnfromexpertsaroundthe business.

“Thepeersupportfromthe programmehasbeenreallyhelpful”

Overall,I'mexcitedtobebackatwork,Ilook forwardtocomingintotheoffice.Ifeelwell supportedandit’sgreattobeleadingonprojects nowandrespectedandsupportedthroughthe businessandmycolleagues Ithinkthathas beenanamazingtestamenttomyincreasing confidence,andtheirconfidenceinme.I'mreally gladtobebackandtakingthereinsbackat work

“Don’tlabelyourselfbasedonwhat youdidbefore”

Mymainpieceofadviceforotherreturnersis don'tlabelyourselfbasedonwhatyoudid before InitiallywithM&GIdidthinkIknow nothingaboutthatindustry,whywouldtheytake me?ButIchangedmyfocus IfIhadlabelled myselfasIam,whatI'vealreadydone,thenI wouldn'thavetriedforthisopportunityand ultimatelybeensuccessful!

OntheMicrosoftcourseImetmanywomenin similarsituationswithlongcareerbreaksand therewasalotofself-doubt whywould anybodyhireme?Myadviceisthatyou absolutelydon'tneedtothinkaboutthat becauseyouwouldprobablygive200%to whateverjobyoupickup!Andthere'ssuch renewedexcitementandvigourandweare raringtogoasreturnerswhichisanotherthing thatmakesusamazingcandidates

“Thinkfromapositionofstrength”

Thinkfromapositionofstrength,you'recoming backwithnotjustyourworkexperience,butlife experienceandanyonewouldbeluckytohave you!

The energy at our recent online BacktoYourFutureConference and in-person networking event was truly inspiring as nearly 300 talented women returners came together to connect and support each other, hear from experienced Returner and Employer Panellists, take part in expert-led workshops and network with Employers.

VictoriaGrantham, aSeniorAssociate SolicitoratDAC BeachcroftLLP

Vickyreturnedtoprivate practicein2021aftera careerbreakfromlawof15 yearstoraiseheryoung familyDuringthistime,she alsomanagedthefinances andHRfunctionofher husband’ssmallbusiness, helpinghertobuild commercialskillsandstay intellectuallystimulated Whenshewasreadyto return,shespentalongtime exploringdifferentoptions beforereturningtolawvia DACB’sReconnect Programme

DagmaCummings,anOperationalRiskAnalystat StarlingBank

DagmaworkedinFinanceforover20years,butafterherrole wasmaderedundantin2012,shefounditdifficulttogeta newjobAftertemporarilylookingforalternativework,she endedupworking10yearsinretailatHarrodsAlongsidethis, shesetupacakemakingbusinessfromhomeKeentoreturn toherindustryafter10yearsout,shereturnedinApril2023 viaStarlingBank’sReturnshipProgramme

RETURNER PANEL ADVICE

Atthisyear’sBacktoYour FutureConference,weheard fromaninspiringpanelof5 returnerswhosharedtheir storiesandtoptipsfora successfulreturn.Threeofthe 5panellistshadbeeninthe Conferenceaudiencelastyear, providingarealmotivational boosttothosewatching.

Thepanelwaswonderfully facilitatedbybroadcaster JaneGarvey,andincluded:

IulianaUdangiu,aBusinessOptimisationAnalyst atEDFEnergy

Aftera4yearcareerbreakforhealthreasons,Iuliana participatedinourBursary‘Returntowork’Programme,and thensuccessfullywentontosecureareturnshipwithEDFin September2023Priortothis,herworkexperienceincluded Finance,Project,ChangeandAssetManagementwithinthe Hospitality,FashionandTourismsectorsDuringhercareer break,sheupskilled,continuedhervoluntaryworkand diligentlyworkedtorecoverherhealth

SubiyaMuneer, aSolutionsDeveloperat DeloitteIrelandLLP

Aftera3yearcareerbreak duetoherrolebeingmade redundantduringCovid, Subiyastruggledtoreturnto workwithagaponherCV Goingthroughadivorceat thesametimeandwith2 youngchildrentosupport, Subiyawaskeentobecome financiallyindependentIn 2023,shestartedthenext chapterofhercareerwhen shejoinedDeloitte’s Returnshipprogramme

FifiCrowley,aDelivery Manageratpublishing companyDCThomson FifiworkedinProfessional ServicesandInvestment Bankingforover10years Shetooka5yearcareer breaktosetupherownArt Galleryandstartafamilyand returnedtoworkinOctober 2023viaDCThomson’s ReturnshipProgrammeIt wasattheConferencelast yearthatsherealisedshe coulduseherskillsand experienceinadifferent sectorandopportunitiesthen openeduptoher

Here'ssomeoftheirvaluableadvice,togetherwithsomethoughts fromourcoachingteam:

‘Networkreligiouslywhenyou’relookingtoreturntowork’. Expandyourcircleof contactstomaximiseyourexposuretodifferentideasandopportunities

‘Putyourselfindifferentenvironmentstoworkoutwhatworks’.Explore different roles, sectors, cultures and work places to test what’s right and aligns well with your values and interests now.

‘Attendforumsthatinspire,tomeetlikemindedpeopleandhearnewideas’.Build peer support and learn from others as to how they’ve navigated their route back to work.

‘Researchfreebootcampsthatcanhelpupskillyou’.There are so many free courses available online – check out our resource signposts here.

‘Explorereturneropportunities–theyopenthedoortoasupportedrouteback’. Returner Employers are specifically looking for those with a gap on their CV and will value transferable skills gained during your career break.

‘Acceptyoumayhavetocompromiseatthestartifyou’vebeenonalongcareer break’…but it won’t take long to get back to where you were and progress beyond.

‘Ifyou’vetakenabreakforhealthreasons,behonestastowhatmightimpactyour prospectiveemployer’, so that they can make any necessary adjustments

‘Ifyournewroleinvolvesworkingfromhome,setupaproperofficeandhaveboundaries”. Wake up and get ready as if you were going to the office so you’re in the right frame of mind.

‘Ifyou’reworkingremotely,taketimetovisityourteamsinpersonsoyoufeel connected.’Taking the time to do this in the early weeks will help you build relationships from the start and will help you to feel connected.

‘Getcomfortablewithfeelinguncomfortable’. It will take time to get comfortable in your new role so pace yourself and take one day at a time

‘Haveself-belief–ifyoubelieveyoucandoit,that’shalfthebattle!’ A positive mindset helps you weather the knocks and keeps you moving forwards towards your goal of returning to a fulfilling career.

EMPLOYER PANEL ADVICE

UPASNABHADHAL

Diversity Recruitment Champion

GEEFOOTTIT

Senior Manager Recruitment Partnerships, St James’s Place Financial Adviser Academy

TACEHEUSTON

Global Head of Talent, J.P. Morgan Asset and Wealth Management

Day2ofourBacktoYourFutureConferenceisall about‘PreparingforyourJobSearch’.Wewere joinedbyafantasticgroupofforward-thinking employersforourEmployerPanelwhoshared theirexperiencesofrunningreturnerprogrammes intheirorganisations.

UpasnaBhadhalfacilitatedaninsightful discussionon‘TheValueReturnersBringandTop TipsforSuccess’,chattingtoGeeFoottitfromSt. James’sPlace,TaceHeustonfromJ.P.Morgan, SarahMaviusfromFDMGroup,LorraineToole fromWorkdayandAlexanderTrustyfrom Moody’s.

We’ve shared some of their top tips and comments on why they are targeting returners and how attitudes have evolved towards candidates with career breaks.

SARAHMAVIUS

Head of Returners, FDM Group

LORRAINETOOLE

Director Talent Acquisition EMEA, Workday

ALEXANDERTRUSTY

Global Diversity Sourcing Specialist, Moody’s

Whatvaluedoreturnersbringtoyourorganisation?

“Havingreturnersjoinourprogrammeshelpstodiversifyour workforceandfosteramoreinclusiveculture”

“Returnersbringmanyyearsofexperienceandsomuchvalue -fantasticleadershipandmentoringskillsaswellas expertiseintheirfield”

“Returnersaresuchafantasticpooloftalent-theknowledge andvaluethatyoubringtoourfirmsisinvaluable!”

“Diversityofbackgroundandexperience,andtransferable skillsthatcanleadinotherareas”

“YourCVgapsareyourcareergifts!”

Howarereturnersperceivedwithin yourorganisation?

“Perceptionsarechangingoncareerbreaksmindsetsareverydifferentnowtowhatthey were10yearsago”

“Returners’lifeskillsandlifeexperienceare valued.”

“Managersareactivelyseekingreturnersto jointheirteamsduetothehighqualityof candidates”

“Pastreturnersarenowhiringnewreturners tojointheirteams-great‘payitforward’”

Employertipsforsuccess

“Ambitionisimportant,skillscanbetaught Thinkwidelyintermsoftransferableskills andknowthatifthereisagapitcanbe taught!”

“Don’thideawayfromtheexcellentwork you’vedone.Reallyimportanttoshowcase yourexperiencebuiltupovertheyearsLook atthejobdescriptionandthinkaboutwhat youhaveandthetransferableskillsyoucan demonstrateMakesurethisisclearinyour CV.”

“MakeyourCVclearandconcise!Employers wanttobeabletounderstandwhyyouarea matchExplain(oravoid)acronyms”

“HaveaplayaboutwithAIforCVsandcover letters,seehowitcanhelpyouImportantto tweakandadaptsothatitfeelsauthenticand appropriateforyouandhavesomeoneelse checkitovertoo.”

“Doasklotsofquestions,understandthe workingnormsandcultureoforganisations Thereisalevelofinformalflexibilitythat existsnowthatcanhelpyoutomanageyour returntoworksuccessfully”

“Returnerinterviews-findoutwhowillbeat yourinterview,whattoexpectandthe competenciesbeingassessed Getwell prepared!”

“Beeasyonyourself-it’sareallybigprocess andyoudon’tneedtoknoweverything straightaway.”

CedricLayton

Global ReEntry Program Manager

Tellusaboutthehistoryofthe ReEntryProgram?

Ourprogramlaunchedin2013Atthe time,ourmanagersgottogetherto discussallthedifferentwayswe wererecruitingtalentatthefirmand realizedtherewasatalentpoolout therethatwasnotbeingtapped,of experiencedprofessionalswhohad decidedtotakeacareerbreakand werenowlookingtorejointhe workforceTherewasnotaconduit forthoseindividualstocomebackin totheworkforce,atleastemployed atthesamelevelorequivalentto whentheyleftSowelaunchedthis programasapilotin2013inour assetandwelfaremanagement business.Wehad10participants whowecallFellows,jointhepilot program,outof186applications receivedthatyear

HowhastheReEntryProgram evolvedovertheyears?

Fastforwardtoourcurrent2024 classandwereceivedover30,000 applications!Wehave114new participantsandwe'renowinover sevencountriesFellowsparticipate inourprogramacrossallofourlines ofbusiness,inmultiplefunctionsOur classthisyearareinrolesin technology,compliance,legaland HR

Soitreallyhasgrownfromasmall pilotprogramwhereeveryonewas locatedinonearea-finance,toa trulyglobalprogramthatwerun everyyear

WhodoestheReEntryProgram appealto,andwhatsupportdo theyreceive?

Wetypicallytargetcandidateswho areattheassociateorvicepresident

level,that'syourmid-level,entrylevelmanagerrolesThey’repaired withmentors,alumnifromour program,andwithteambuddies. Theirpriorityrelationshipiswiththeir hiringmanagerandtheteamthat's goingtosponsorthemthroughout theprogram.

Ourprogramlastsfor15weeksand duringthistimethey’reworkingin therolethattheywillworkinwhen theyconverttofull-timeheadcount attheendoftheprogram.It'sagreat opportunitytorampthemupand preparethemforlong-termcareer successthroughtheonboarding,the trainingandthementoring

HowmanyFellowshaveyou welcomedintoJ.P.Morganover theReEntryProgram’slife?

Westartedwith10backin2013,and ifyouincludetheclassthisyear, we'vehadover700people participateintheprogramWe haven'tcompletedtheclassthisyear sowecan'tcountthemasgraduates, butwe'vehadover600graduate fromtheclassfromtheprogramover thattimeperiodandmorethan500 ofthosewereplacedintofull-time headcountrolesattheendoftheir program

What’syouradvicetofuture Fellowstohelpthemmakethe mostoftheexperience?

Thisanswermaynotseemasbigas itis!Reallyit'sjustwetellthemtogo allin!Whentheycomeintothe program,wetellthemtobepatient withthemselvesbecausethey've takenabreakfromtheircareer, they’rerestartingandtheyhaveto getusedtothatchange

Weunderstandthey'recomingintoa corporateenvironmentwherethere’s newtechnologiesthattheyprobably didn'thavewhentheytooktheir break,they’remeetingnewpeople everyday,andthey’regetting bombardedwithelectronic communications Soit'sjustalot comingatthem

SoIalwaystellthem“Bepatientwith yourselfandleanintoyoursupport system” Theyhavetheirmanager who'sacriticalrole-leanintotheir experiencewiththefirm,leaninto theirteambuddythatthey’vebeen pairedwithbecausethey'regoingto helpthemunderstandtheteam dynamic,theapplications,toolsand technologiesthatthey’lluse Lean intotheirmentorthatgetsassigned becausethatgivestheman opportunitytonotonlylearnmore aboutthefirm,butalsopotentially learnaboutadifferentlineof business

Leanintothealumni-thereasonwe pairthemwithanalumniisbecause theyhelpthemtonavigatethe businessbutalsotheemotionalside Whenyou'renew,youdon'tknow anybody,yougetsomanythings comingatyou,that'swherethe anxietycanpopupbutthealumni havebeenthere,sotheycanhelp themnavigatethatsideofit And then,lastbutcertainlynotleast,our programteam,wearethereforthem fromdayoneandcontinueto supportthemthroughouttheir15weekprogram

Attheendoftheday,wewantto makesurethattheyhaveevery opportunitytoconvertovertoafulltimeheadcountroleattheendofthe 15weeks

Carol-AnneSquires 2023

ReEntry Program Fellow

Tellusaboutyourprofessional backgroundbeforeyoujoined J.P.Morgan?

IjoinedJPMorganasavice presidentaspartofthe2023 ReEntryProgramandIworkinglobal programmanagement.Priortomy careerbreak,IworkedforDeloitte Consultingforeightyears,having joinedthemasagraduateThere wasalotofvarietyandIworked predominantlyintheareaofglobal technologyprogramsIthen transitionedintofinancialservices andIworkedforBarclaysCapitalfor sixyearswhichIreallyenjoyed.

Tellusaboutyourcareerbreak?

Aftermysecondchild,Idecidedthat IwouldtakeacareerbreakItooka careerbreakforeightyears,which waslongerthanIexpected.Iwasn't readytoreturntowork,thecommute waslongandIwasneck-deepin childcareBythetimeitgottoeight years,Iwasmorethanready!I couldn'tbelievethatI'dlandedinJP MorganaftereightyearsoffandI wasabsolutelydelighted

Tellusaboutyourexperienceof theReEntryProgram?

Whenyoujointhefirstweekisspent onboardingYouhavethewhole ReEntryteamaroundyouandthey havedailycallswithyouYou’re givenalinemanagerwithinthearea thatyoujoin,you'regivenamentor, somebodywho’sbeenwiththefirm forsometimeandtheyhelpyou navigateyourwayaroundYouhave regularcatch-upswithyourmentor andyou'reassignedabuddy

Joiningasacohortoffellow returnerswasinvaluable.Youdofeel veryalonewhenyouwalkinthose doors,butwhenyougettoknow

everybodyelse,youbolstereach otherup,sharestories,identifywith peopleinasimilarpositionsandthis helpsyoufeelalotlessalone

Youhaveawholeteamofsupport whichisgreatTherearesomany peoplethatwantyoutosucceedand encourageyoutobeopenandask loadsofquestions-peoplearemore thanhappytohelpSoyou'vegotto justgoforit!

Howdidthecoachingsupport yourtransitionbacktowork?

Therewasalayerofcoaching providedthroughoutthe15weeks whichwasreallyhelpfultokeepyou ontrackIrememberlearninghowto doanelevatorpitchtointroduce myself,talkaboutwhatI'vedone professionally,howlongI’dbeenout forandwhatIwantedtodonow

Therewascoachingaroundbuilding yournetworkwhichencouragedme toattendeventssuchasseminarsat JPMorgan,knowingthiswasan opportunitytointroducemyself, explainI'monthereturnersprogram andsuggestwehaveacoffee sometime?Itgaveyouthe confidencetoknowthattheseare thethingsyou'reexpectedtodo Anditwasallaboutvisibilityand makingthemostoftheopportunity that'sgiventoyouCoachinggives youthosetoolsandonceyou've doneitonce,youknowyoucandoit againWithoutthosecoaching sessions,Idon'tthinkIwouldhave hadthatconfidencetoputmyself outthere

Therewerecoachingsessions aroundmaintainingapositive mindsetandmanagingyourinner critictokeepyoubolsteredand focusedIthelpedreinforcethatif youjustkeepgoingandkeepputting

yourselfoutthere,beingproactive, youwillgettheresultyou'relooking for,andthat'sallyoucandoThey wereverysafespacestotalk,really supportiveandabsolutelyinvaluable

Howdidyoumakethemostof theopportunity?

Myprimaryobjectivewasnetworking aroundthefirmtogetaroleatthe endoftheprogram.SoeverydayI wouldthinkaboutwhoIwasgoingto scheduleameetingwith!Every personI’dmeetwouldwanttoknow aboutme,whatI’minterestedin,and attheend,I’dask"Canyoupointme inthedirectionofwhoelseIneedto speakto?"They'dsay,"Speaktothis guy”,becausethey’vespokentoyou, theyknowwhatyou'reinto,they knowyourskills,andtheywilltellyou whoelseinthefirmwillhelpyou"So thatwasmyapproachItwasvery muchputtingmyselfoutthere,just lettingmyselfgoforitWhathave yougottolose?!

WhatareyourTopTipsfor Returnerslookingtogetbackto workafteracareerbreak?

UpdateyourCVandreachoutto pastcolleaguestohelpyourecall thedetailofpastprojects

Reflectonwhatinterestsyounow andconsiderupskillingoptionsto makeyourCVmorerelevantin today’sbusinessenvironment

DoyourResearch–whenyougetan interview,researchthecompany, theindustryandlookatwhatthe trendsarenowinthatindustry Getasupportplaninplaceforyour return–letpeoplearoundyouknow thatyou’regoingbacktoworkto ensurethatyou’vegotsupport aroundyouandputaplaninplace tohelpyouconfidentlyreturn!

Book Review

OurKeyTakeaways:

The Gifts of Imperfection" by Brené Brown is highly ecommended for women relaunching their careers. rown's powerful research shows that embracing mperfection and vulnerability is essential for living a ulfilling, authentic life - qualities that will serve you ell as you navigate this transition.

Cultivatingself-compassionandlettinggoof unattainableperfectionismareessential steps Bekindtoyourselfthroughthis process

Vulnerability-theabilitytocourageously showupandbeseen,evenwhenit'sdifficult -isthebirthplaceofinnovation,creativity, andpositivechange.

Developingcourage,compassion,and meaningfulconnectionarethekeysto wholeheartedlivingandsuccess

ActionableInsights:

Practiceself-compassiondaily Avoidharsh self-criticismasyoure-entertheworkforce

Embraceimperfection Aimforexcellencebut releasethepursuitofperfection-it'softenan impossiblestandard.

Leanintovulnerability Putyourselfoutthere, evenwhenit'sscary.Thisopennessis essentialforgrowthandformingcritical connections

Buildastrongsupportnetwork.Surround yourselfwithpeoplewhoupliftyouandmake youfeelworthy

Focusoncultivatingcourage,compassion, andconnection Thesequalitieswillbe invaluableassetsasyourelaunchyour career

BrenéBrown'sinsightscanhelpindividuals returningtoworknavigatethechallengesand embracethegiftsofthistransition.Withselfacceptance,resilience,andwholeheartedliving, youarepositionedforsuccess

Meet Liz

OurDeputyHeadofCoachingsharesherrouteintocoaching,whysheloveshelping returnerstoovercomebarriersandhertoptipsforcraftingyourcareerstory

Tell us a little bit about your professional background?

Ihave15yearsprofessional experienceworkinginFinancial ServicesforLloydsBanking GroupMycareerspanned LearningandDevelopment, BusinessManagementand Marketing,workingwithkey JointVenturepartnersinRetail Banking.Iretrainedasan ExecutiveCareerCoach followingaperiodofselfevaluationinmycareer,after leavingFinancialServicesThis ledtoanewcareerasa LeadershipConsultantbringing HigherEducationworkplace learningtoseniorleaderswithin businessesacrossthe NorthwestofEngland,whereI ambasedItookacareerbreak forparentalreasonsduring whichtimeIutilisedmycoaching skillsbysettingupmyown coachingconsultancyand supportingacharityhelping mumswiththeirmentalhealth andwellbeingIjoinedthe CareerReturnersteamin2019 andI’mdelightedtobeDeputy HeadofCoaching.

What sparked your journey into coaching?

Ireviewedmycareerchoices afterleavingFinancialServices andquicklyrealisedthatI wantedtobemakinganimpact inpeople'slivesandthatmy strengthslayfirmlyindeveloping others.Thisledmetome

formalisingmyskillswith coachingqualificationsand makingcoachingmynumberone focusFriendsorfamilywould oftencometomeforadifferent perspective,orhelpwitha problem,andsocoachingwasa naturalandexcitingcareerpath forme

What do you love about coaching?

Often,wegettrappedinour thinkingandcanonlyseeone optionavailable,ornowayout! WhatIloveaboutcoachingis thatitenablespeopletosee thingsdifferentlyandlook beyondtheinitialblocksand barriers,utilisingstrengthsand skillstheyalreadyhaveinnew waysCoachingenhancesselfawarenessandempowersusto takeresponsibilityforourselves andourgoals

Whataresomeofthe typicalthemesyousee comingupforreturners astheyreturntowork?

Confidencethattheycandoit anditispossibletoreturnto workisprobablythebiggest challengeIseeLackofclarityon strengthsandarticulatingtheir careerstoryisanotherGetting clarityonthecommonthemesof yourcareerstorycanreallyhelp

Whatareyourtoptips fornavigatingthese?

Trydrawingatimelineofyour careeronpaper,notingthehighs andlowsandbesuretoinclude yourcareerbreak!Consider whichroles,activitiesortasks youwereenjoyingmostandthe strengthsyouwereusingYou willseeapatternemerging Fromhereyoucanbeginto understandwhyyouwere attractedtocertainworkand begintocraftyourcareerstory

Whenyou'renotworking, whatarewelikelytofind youdoing?

I’matmyhappiestwhenI’m outdoorssoyou’lloftenfindme walkingbythecanalorinthe countrysidewhereIliveI’mabig bookwormandloveanythingby RaynorWinn,particularlytheSalt PathCornwallismyfavourite placetobeandsoothesmysoul soyoucanoftenfindmethere withmyfamilytoo!

Our coaching team is on hand to answer your questions!

How do I sell a long career break as a positive?

Havingalongcareerbreakdoesn’tundoanyofyourkeystrengthsandskillsgainedoverthecourse ofyourcareer,andyoumaywellhavegainedawholehostofnewtechnicalandtransferableskills duringyourbreak Acareerbreakcanalsohelptopositivelydifferentiateyou–itcangiveyouafresh perspectiveenormouslyvaluedbyteams!Manyemployersalsofindthosereturningfromacareer breakhaverenewedcareeraspirationsasoncetheyhavedecidedtoreturntotheworkplace, returnersarehighlymotivatedandcommittedtothissecondchapter

After my long career break, how can I be gutsy and go for what I want??

Applyingforjobscanbedauntingandwhenyouhavehadacareerbreak,thismayfeellikeaneven biggerchallenge Regainingyourconfidencebyreconnectingwithyourprofessionalidentityisamust whenyouarestartingonthisjourney Takingtimetorememberwhoyouare,andwhatyourkey strengthsandexperiencesarecanreallyhelptorebuildthisconfidence.Itcanalsohelpdealwithany ImposterSyndromewhichyoumaybefeeling

Don’tbeafraidtospeaktoex-colleaguesorreconnectwithpeoplefromyourpast,theywill rememberyoufortheprofessionalyouare,canhelpupdateyouonchangesinyoursectorandmay beabletohelpyouconsiderdifferentideasandpathstoexplorethese LinkedIncanbeafantastic platformtoinitiallyreconnect

Itcanalsobeusefultoletfriendsandfamilyknowwhenyouarelookingfornewroles-theymayhelp youtobecreativeaboutopportunitiestoexploreandconnectyoutodifferentpeopletospeakto Onceyouknowwhatyouarelookingforthendon’tbeafraidtoletothersknowaboutit.Havinga reallypositive,proactivemindsetishugelybeneficial ‘WhathaveIgottolose?’canbeagoodmantra toadopt!

Webinars & Events

Now **BONUSWEBINARRECORDING** WRConference2024:TaketheFearoutofNetworkingWorkshop Conference workshop recording now available to all members for 2 weeks.

RachelHalsall,ExecutiveCoach,guidesusthrough:

Howtodevelopstrategiesforin-personandvirtualnetworking Conversationstarters&exitlines

Toptipstoboostyourconfidence

View

11am - 12pm (UK time) 4 June

CareerReturnersWebinarSeries2024:NewCountry,New Job?ReturntoWorkintheUKwithConfidence Online

Whenyou’verecentlymovedtoanewcountry,itcanfeelverydauntingto navigateareturntoworkHowandwheredoyougetstartedandhowdo youbegintobuildanetworktofindoutaboutandexploreopportunities?

JoinKarenDanker,HeadofCoachingatCareerReturnersandYettyWilliams, FounderofLagosMumsandLagosMumsUKnetworkinaninteractivewebinar thatwillhelpyounavigatethisreturn

Inthissession,you'lllearnhowto:

CreateacompellingCVthathighlightsyourstrengthsandachievements PositionyourCareerBreakeffectivelyandpulloutthetransferableskillsgained Chartyourcoursebacktoworkandhearaboutdifferentreturnerpathways Networkeffectivelyandlearnstrategiestobuildyournetworkandunderstandwhattoaskfor

TherewillalsobealiveQ&Aattheend

YettyWilliamsisaDigitalCoach,andfounderofLagosMumsoneofthelargestnetworksforNigerian parentswith150,000followersandispassionateabouthelpingwomenandfamiliesthriveinthedigital ageThroughhersubsidiaryLagosMumsUKnetwork,shehascuratedacommunityforfamilieswhohave relocatedtotheUKandsupportswomenandmothersreturningtowork,navigatingtheircareerjourney andsettlingtheirfamiliesintheUK

Ticketsalescloseat11.59pm(UKtime)on2June.

WithYettyWilliams, DigitalCoachand FounderofLagosMums andKarenDanker, HeadofCoaching,Career Returners