Support and inspiration for career returners
Support and inspiration for career returners
Welcome!
WelcometoourOctoberedition!Thismonth, we’vebeenenjoyingthechangeofseason andwatchingtheleavesturnabeautifulhue ofredandorange Formanyofus,October providesmorespaceaswesettlebackinto therhythmoflifepostsummer,andwehope thishasprovidedyouwithanopportunitytokickstartyourreturntoworkactionplan
Thismonth,we’refocussingonthosewhoarelookingtoreturntoworkafterillhealth–and inparticularcancer Ourblogtakesyouthroughsomeinitialsteps,aswellassignpostsyou tosomekeyresourcesdetailingyourworkplacerights We’dlovetohearyourexperiences at coach@careerreturners.com –ofanybarriersyou’veencounteredandthesupport you’dvalue,orifyou’vesuccessfullyreturnedtoworktheadviceyou’dshareastowhat helped.Thisisthefirstinourseriesofblogsinthisareaandwe’relookingtoaddtothisin thecomingmonths
Ifyou’vebeenonanextendedcareerbreakanddon’tknowhowandwheretostart reconnectingwithyourstrengths,takealookatour‘AsktheCoaches’sectionfortop tipsandadviceonhowtorecogniseandrememberallthosestrengths,skillsand experienceyou’vebuiltoverthecourseofyourcareerandcareerbreak Andfora doseofinspiration,readJumana’sSuccessStoryaboutreturningtoworkat BlackRockafterher9yearcareerbreak Jumana’srecentshortlistingasafinalistin theWomeninInvestmentAwards2024‘MostInspiringReturner’categoryisproof thatyoucanreturnandthriveinyourcareer,howeverlongyourcareerbreakis!
Contributors
KarenDanker HeadofCoaching
LizMearns DeputyHeadof Coaching
LaurenWilson SeniorCoach
Ifyou’dlovetodosomethingcompletelydifferentonyourreturntowork, takealistentoourlatestpodcastepisodewithDeeCarswell Aftera threeyearcareerbreakcaringforherdaughterswithadditionalneeds overCovid,Deesuccessfullymadethemovefromher25yearcareerin thecorporateandmedicalsectorstothecharitysector Asixmonth charityplacementviaTheWellPlacedhelpedDeealongthewayintoher chosenpath Ifthisappealstoyou,youcanregisteryourinterestfortheir May2025placements here
Finally,thecoachingteamenjoyedabrilliantdaytogetherafewweeks ago,planningforouryearahead.WeweredelightedtowelcomeFaith Ruto–ournewestmemberofthecoachingteam–andyoucanreada littlemoreaboutFaithandwhatinspiresherinour‘MeetFaith’article!
FaithRuto SeniorCoach
Happyreading!
Career Returners Coaching Team
KarenBraakman SeniorCoach
Contents
3 Returning to Work After Cancer
Returningtoworkfollowingill-healthcan bechallengingbutitmayalsobeatimefor reflection,growthandrenewal.Weshare waystohelpyouresetandcreatea fulfillingprofessionallife
6 Meet Faith
OurnewSeniorCoachtellsusabouthow herreturntoworkjourneyinspiredherto helpotherscultivatetheirself-confidence andshareshertoptipsfornavigating workplacetransitions
7 Jumana’s Return to Work Success Story
Jumanashareshowsheovercame impostersyndromeandrealisedthevalue ofherskillstoreturntoasuccessful, award-winningcareerfollowing bereavementandthyroidcancer
9 Ask the Coaches
Howdoyoureconnectwithyour professionalstrengthsafteralongcareer break?Whatifyoucan’tevenremember whattheywere?Weofferourtoptipson howtogetstarted!
10 New Podcast Episode
Hearourinspiringchat“FlyingHighwith Skylarks”withDeeCarswell asshe discussesmovingintothecharitysector andfindingarewardingroleverycloseto herheart
“By focusing on what truly matters to you, you may start to see a way forward that feels both energising and meaningful.”
Acancerdiagnosiscanbelife-changing in so many ways which go beyond the physical. The period of time through treatment and recovery can bring profound shifts in your values, beliefs, and priorities. For some, once the treatment phase is over, a new challenge emerges: how do you return to work after having a career break to recover from cancer. This phase can be daunting, but it may also provide an opportunity for reflection, growth, and renewal. perspective,andmotivation.These"newskills" areinvaluable,bothinlifeandtheworkplace
ATimetoReflect,Reprioritise,and Reset
Afteranycareerbreak,it’snormaltoquestion whatthenextchapterofyourlifeshouldlook like.Whatdoyouwanttoachievepersonally andprofessionally?Whatbringsyoufulfilment nowwhichhasperhapschanged?Many returnersrecoveringfromlongtermillnessfind thatthattheiroutlookonlifesuchaswhat mattersmostandwheretheywanttofocus theirenergy,hasfundamentallyaltered
However,goingbacktoworkafterthistime isn’talwaysaboutresumingyouroldroutine.It mayalsoinvolvenavigatinganewversionof yourself Thisperiodoftransitioncanbeseen asanopportunitytoreset,toreprioritise,andto realignyourprofessionaljourneywiththenew valuesandgoalsthathaveemergedfromyour experience
ReconnectingWithYourStrengths
Asyoupreparetore-entertheworkforce,take sometimetoreflectonyourkeystrengthsand skillsyoualreadypossess It’salsoworth recognisingthepowerofyourcancer experience.Itmayhaveprovidedyouwith greaterinsightintoyourresilience,tenacity,
Hereareafewquestionstohelpyoureflect: WhathaveIlearnedaboutmyself throughoutthisexperience?
Whatpersonalqualitiesorstrengthshave beenreinforcedordeveloped?
HowcanIintegratetheseintomy professionallife?
SettingNewPriorities
Work-lifebalance,fulfilment,andpersonalwellbeingmayfeelmoreimportantthanever beforeAsyouconsiderreturningtowork,think abouttheroles,sectors,employersand environmentswhichwillalignwithyourvalues Arethereindustriesoremployersthatinspire you?Byfocusingonwhattrulymatterstoyou, youmaystarttoseeawayforwardthatfeels bothenergisingandmeaningful.
RealisticOptimism
It’simportanttoacknowledgethatreturningto workaftercancerwillcomewithitsownsetof challenges.Theremaybedayswhenfatigue, emotions,ordoubtscreepinHowever,it’s
equallyimportanttotrustinyourabilityto overcomethesehurdles Realisticoptimismis aboutfacingchallengeshead-onwhileknowing youhavethestrengthandresiliencetonavigate them.
Returningtoworkwillrequiresome introspection,patience,andself-compassion
Thisphaseismorethanareturntothe workforce;it’sachancetocreateanew narrativeforyourself,bothinyourcareerandin yourlife.Byreconnectingwithyourstrengths, settingnewpriorities,andapproachingthe futurewithoptimism,youcancreatea professionallifethatalignswithyournewsense ofpurposeandfulfilment
We are looking to build our support for those returning to work after career breaks for ill health. If you’ve recently returned to work after/with cancer, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch with us at coach@careerreturners.com to share your experience and let us know what helped you in your return Equally, if you’re looking to return but coming up against various barriers, do let us know what support you’d value most.
Additional Resources
WorkandCancerProgramme:guidanceonreturningtowork,managingworkduringandafter treatment,andunderstandingyourrightsasanemployee
WorkSupportService:one-on-onesupportwithwork-relatedissues,includingjob-seeking adviceaftercancer
MacmillanWorkSupport
EmploymentAdvice:informationonrightsatwork,makingdecisionsaboutreturningtowork, anddealingwithemployers.
CancerResearch
EmploymentSupport:adviceforthoseaffectedbybreastcancer,includinginformationon returningtoworkandunderstandingyourrights
BreastCancerNow
Meet Faith
OurnewSeniorCoachtellsushowherownexperiencessparkedherjourneyinto coachingandhertopstipsfornavigatingworkplacetransitions
Tell us a little bit about your professional background?
Ihave22yearsofexperience whichstartedatShellandspan fromleadingglobalITprogrammes toimplementingchange programmesacrossdifferent functions
WhilstatShell,Ienjoyedleading digitaltransformationacross Europe,AfricaandtheUS
In2013,Itookacareerbreakto lookaftermytwochildrenI retrainedasacoachwithafocus onsupportingprofessionalsand leadersForseveralyears,I enjoyeddesigninganddelivering coachingprogrammestohelp organisationsretainfemaletalent Mypassionliesinempowering returnerstohaveconfidenceand resiliencetothriveduringtheir transitionbacktowork.Iam delightedtojoinCareerReturners CoachingteamasaSeniorCoach
What sparked your journey into the world of coaching?
Mycoachingjourneycommenced in2011,rightaftermyreturnfrom maternityleaveDuringthistime,I becameacutelyawareofmylack ofself-confidence,atraitthat seemedforeigntome,givenmy naturallyoutgoingandassured dispositionSeekingguidance throughcoachingprovedtobean immenselyfulfillingand transformativeexperienceforme
Afewyearslater,Ifoundmyselfat acrossroadsinmycareer.After carefullyexaminingmystrengths
andpassions,Iunearthedadeep desiretohelpindividuals,mainly women,cultivatetheirselfconfidenceThisrealisationledme topursuefurthertrainingasa careerandexecutivecoachto offeracomprehensivecoaching approachtoprofessionals navigatingworkplacetransitions
What do you love about coaching?
Coachingismytruecallingand purposeIfindjoyinlisteningto diverseproblemsandguiding individualstotheirsolutions. Witnessingamindsetshiftandthe returners'newfoundconfidenceis whattrulyinspiresme
What are some of the typical themes you see coming up for returners as they return to work?
Asacoach,Iseevariousthemes fromreturnersasnoonereturneris thesameThenumberonethemeI seeoftenishowtointegrateand adaptquicklytochangein
workplaceculture,technologyand processesthathaveevolved.The worldofworkhaschanged significantlyFromremoteworking tohavingteamssometimeslocated indifferentcountriesForreturners navigatingthesechangescanbe stressfulandcangeneratealackof confidenceinoneself
What are your top tips for navigating these?
Icompletelyunderstandthe importanceofapproachingyour returnwithapositivemindset Embracingchangeasan opportunitytogainexperiencecan betrulyempoweringIt'sokayto feeluncertain,sodon'thesitateto askquestionsandseeksupport Findingabuddyandscheduling weeklycheck-incallsintheearly daysofyourreturncanprovidea safeandsupportivespaceforyou tonavigateyourwaybacktowork
When you're not working, what are we likely to find you doing?
Ienjoyengaginginvarious activitiesandtravelingwithmy familyImakeitapointtogofor walksorshortrunsinthelocal countrysideeverydayBeing outdoorshasapositiveimpacton mymentalwell-beingandphysical fitnessIalsolookforwardtomy weeklyZumbaclassandmeeting upwithfriendsforaChaiLatte.I alsolovesharingmypassionfor cookingwithmyteenager daughter.
Kapadia
Jumana’s Success Story
“Through the process of returning, I realised (despite my self-doubt) just how marketable I was and how much I had to offer, because of my break!”
IbeganmycareerwithMerrillLynchaspartoftheirgraduate programmeandwasluckyenoughtointernwiththemduring my3yearsofunder-graduatestudies,firstlyinMumbai,then inLondonandfinally,inmythirdyearGeneva Thisgavemea realopportunitytogettoknowthebusinessbeforejoining theteam.Ithenwentontojointhegraduateprogrammeand enjoyeda6-yearcareerwithMerrillLynchworkingacross differentareasofprivatewealthmanagement,portfolio managementandhedgefundsandprivateequityfunds acrossEMEA.
In2009IhadmyfirstbabyanddecidedthatIwantedtotakeabreakandspendtimewithmy littleonehowevermymanagerwaskeentokeepmeon,sowenegotiateda3-dayaweek roleandajobsharewhichwasgreatandcertainlynotthenormatthetime!Aroundthistime, Ialsoexperiencedsomehugelifechallengeswiththelossofbothmyparentsandmyown healthchallengeswiththyroidcancer.Idecideditwastimetostepawayfromthecorporate worldandIalsofellpregnantwithmysecondchild DuringmycareerbreakIstartedmyown foodbusinessasatributetomyparentsandaconstructivewaytochannelmygriefasboth parentswerepassionatefoodies.
“It’sveryeasytothinkyoucan’tgetbacktoworkafteralong break,butyoucan…youjustneedtoreframeyourmindsetand believeinyourselfandknowthatyouhavetheskillstotakeiton”
Ireturnedtomyprofessionalcareerviathe BlackRockreturnerprogramme,aftera9-year breakhavingrealisedIreallymissedthebuzzof thecorporateworld Mychildrenwereabit olderandstartedschoolandImissedthe disciplineofgoingintoaworkplaceandmeeting like-mindedpeople.Throughtheprocessof returning,Irealised(despitemyself-doubt)just howmarketableIwasandhowmuchIhadto offer,becauseofmybreak!
“Aftera9-yearbreakIreally missedthebuzzofthe corporateworld”
I’dupskilledduringmybreakandmanyofthe skillsdevelopedinrunningmyownsuccessful businesswererelevantandtransferableand valuedbyemployers
It’sveryeasytothinkyoucan’tgetbacktowork afteralongbreak,butyoucan youjustneed toreframeyourmindsetandbelieveinyourself andknowthatyouhavetheskillstotakeiton.
“Fearwillalwaysbethere whenyoudosomethingnew, andIhadtoovercomemy ownimpostersyndrome”
Fearwillalwaysbetherewhenyoudo somethingnew,andIhadtoovercomemyown impostersyndrome.However,withcoaching andsupport,you’llfindyourconfidencequickly returns!
“Withcoachingandsupport, you’llfindyourconfidence quickyreturns!”
Myadviceforothersistostayconnectedto people,eventsandthingsyouenjoydoing Keepintouchwithyourpreviouscolleaguesor reconnectandpickupnewconversationswith them–askthemwhatthey’vebeenupto, what'sbeenhappening,what’schanged.My careerbreakgavemeafreshperspectiveon thingswhichinturnmadememoreefficient whenIcamebackin,sodovalueyourbreak
“Mycareerbreakgavemea freshperspectivewhichin turnmadememoreefficient whenIcamebackin,sodo valueyourbreak”
Takingacareerbreakhasonlymademea betterversionofmyself!Iwasthrilledwhenthis wasrecognisedrecentlywhenIwasshortlisted asafinalistintheWomeninInvestmentAwards 2024‘MostInspiringReturner’category–proof toallthoseconsideringreturningafteran extendedbreakthatyoucanreturnandgoon tothriveinyourcareer,howeverlongyour careerbreakis!
Readmoreinspiringstories inourSuccessStoryLibrary
Our coaching team is on hand to answer your questions!
I haven't worked for around 15 years so can't even remember what my strengths were in my job – I was previously a Marketing Director
Whenyouhavehadalongcareerbreakthebiggeststepcanoftenbereconnectingwithyour professionalidentity Itcanfeelhardtorememberwhoyouwerebeforeyourbreak,letalone whatyouweregoodat,andyourconfidencemayhaveslippedalittle!However,knowingand reconnectingwithyourstrengthsandexpertisewillhelpyoutofeelcourageousabout applyingforroles Here’swheretostart:
RevisitoldCVsandreviewsfromyour‘prebreak’career.Spendsometimegoing throughthemtoremindyouoftheexperienceyou’vebuiltandtheskillsandstrengths youdemonstrated
Consideryourcareerbreakandanypositivereviewsorfeedbackreceivedonprojects orvoluntaryworkundertakenduringthistime
Reachouttocontactsfromyourpreviousprofessionalcareer,evenifthatwas15 yearsago,toremindyourselfofpastrolesorprojectsyouwereinvolvedintogether Dobebrave-peoplearegenerallyhappytohelp,andyouneverknowwherethismay leadintermsofpickingupyouroldnetworkagain.
Searchonlineforaroleprofileforwhatyouusedtodo,toreacquaintyourselfwith thosekeysoughtafterstrengthsandskillsthatyoumostlikelyhave!Aquicksearch forMarketingDirectorbringsupskillsinsales,communication,leadership,andakeen eyefordetail Doanyoftheseresonateforyou?
CompleteanonlinestrengthsprofilesuchasGallupStrengthsFindertogainfurther insight.Youcanalsosimplysearchforanonlinestrengthslisttogetyoustartedwith ideas Reflectonexamplesofwhenyouusedthesestrengthstohelpyougetspecific aboutthedetail
Alloftheseexerciseswillhelpyoutoreconnectwithwhoyouareprofessionally Evenaftera longbreakyourstrengthsandskillsarestillthere,andyouwillnodoubthavebuiltuponthem throughtheactivitiespursuedduringyourcareerbreak.
The Podcast to #InspireYourReturn
“I have to say I'm in a role that is probably my favourite role that I've ever had in my working career”
We’rethrilledtobringyouthesecondepisodeofournew mini-seriesofourCareerReturnersPodcastoncareerchange inmidlife!
ThisepisodefeaturesthebrilliantDeeCarswellwho successfullymovedintothecharitysector,afteratwenty fiveyearcareerinthecorporateandprivatemedical sectors Afterathreeyearcareerbreakduringthe pandemictocareforherdaughterswithadditionalneeds, DeefortuitouslycameacrossCharityInterns(nowcalledTheWellPlaced),whichofferssixmonth placementsinthecharitysectortohelpattractthosefromthecorporatesectorwantingtomake theswitch DeesuccessfullygainedaplacementattheAlzheimer’sSocietywhichwasafantastic learningexperienceandprovedabrilliantspringboardintohernewcareerasHeadofFundraising atSkylarks,aLondonbasedcharityveryclosetoherheart,whichsupportschildrenwithadditional needsandtheirfamilies
Abigthankyoutolongerlivesthinktank PhoenixInsightsforsponsoringthis mini-seriesandforconveningthe Careerscanchangecampaign
CareerReturnersisproudtobepartof theCareerscanchangecampaign, aimingtoinspirepeopletoseethattheir careerscanchangesuccessfully,in manydifferentways
“I really felt quite strongly that I wanted to work in the charity sector as I had spent quite a lot of time as a carer. I felt I wanted to bring that experience with me, but I also felt I had so much other experience that was so transferable that I'd really hope to bring all that with me ”
Catchuponpreviousepisodes inourCareerReturnersPodcast
Listentothefull episode
ListentoDee’s clip
