Your Return September 24

Issue 6 I September 2024

Support and inspiration for career returners

Welcome!

Welcome to our September edition! There’s definitely an autumnal chill in the air and the anticipation of new beginnings! We hope that you had a wonderful summer and took some time to relax and recharge.

In this month’s edition, we help you to get started on your return to work and to get focussed. Our blog will take you through a series of key questions to help you to get clarity on why you want to return, what you’re looking for and how to get started. Do grab a pen and paper as you work through the questions we pose so that you end up with a set of decision making criteria to guide your search.

If you’re looking to return to tech, take a look at our ‘Ask the Coaches’ section for tips and links to different resources. Do check out the Cisco Academy Tech Courses in our Members Resources section on our website to access lots of free online courses to help you upskill.

And if returning to your career in law resonates, read Bhini’s Success Story of returning to work at Rayden Solicitors after a 5 year career break. We loved her stepping stone approach to getting back to work – first undertaking a non-legal role to ease herself back into working life, then joining Rayden initially to rebuild her legal knowledge and experience, and now completely flourishing there in her role as an Associate Solicitor!

If you’re looking to do something completely different on your return to work, take a listen to our latest podcast episode on your next walk! We loved chatting to Charlotte Hills who shared her story of successfully changing careers and sectors, moving from TV production to Rail innovation after her 6 year career break!

Contributors Karen Danker Head of Coaching

Liz Mearns Deputy Head of Coaching

Finally, we’ve been very busy working towards the launch of an exciting innovation for our network community - the first global Social Network for Returners! You’ll be able to access the network through a new Career Returners Community App and a Community Members Area on our website. Meet Natalie our new Community Manager who shares more about this fantastic new venture.

As always, do let us know at coach@careerreturners.com if you have any questions for our ‘Ask the Coaches’ or if there are any topics you’d love us to feature!

Happy reading!

Lauren Wilson Lead Coach

Karen & Liz Career Returners Coaching Team

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Contents

Sponsored by:

SEPTEMBER 2024

3 Your Return to Work: How to get started September is a time for new beginnings!

We share our key questions to help you gain clarity and focus as you step towards this exciting new chapter in your career

6 Meet Natalie Our new Community Manager tells us about her return to work journey and why she is excited to be building our new returner community!

7 Bhini’s Return to Work Success Story

9 Ask the Coaches Could you benefit from a tech update after your career break? This month our coaching team gives advice on updating and refreshing your tech skills as you return to work

10 New Podcast Mini-series!

Hear our inspiring chat with Charlotte Hills as she discusses returning to work in a completely new role and sector, utilising her transferable skills – from TV Production to Rail Innovation!

Bhini shares her top tips for returning to work in the legal sector, including deciding what’s important to you first and approaching firms directly

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“The important piece is to get started – don’t wait for everything to be perfect!”

Advice BLOG

September is often the time for new beginnings and once the summer holidays are behind us, we know that many returners’ attention shifts to their return to work plan. Getting focussed however can be the hardest, but most valuable, first step.

Without focus, you can sometimes get a little stuck or start to head down the wrong path, adopting one of the following strategies: Treating your job search like a research project with lots of thinking but little action Taking a scattergun approach – randomly applying for a range of jobs online Waiting to ‘find your passion’ or for the ‘perfect job’ to come along.

With all of these approaches, you’re left no further forward. To make progress, it’s so important to have greater clarity and focus. So, there are three key questions you need to ask yourself:

the value you feel from earning your own money.

As you consider your job options, check that you’ll be fulfilling your major motivations in the roles you’re considering.

What do I want to do?

This is often where people stray off track as they look for options that would tick all their criteria of

Why do I want to go back to work?

being fulfilling work, at the right level and with

What do I want to do?

the flex they need. However, it’s unlikely that

How am I going to get there?

Why do I want to go back to work?

Start by working out exactly why you want to return to work. Your motivation is often a mix of different things. It could be a need for intellectual stimulation, to use your qualifications, or to be a role model for your children. It could be a desire for a more tangible sense of achievement or to get your professional identity back. It could be financial motivation; either financial necessity, wanting to contribute your fair share or wanting

you’ll be able to optimise all 3 from the start.

Instead, consider your life as a whole and reflect on what compromises/trade-offs you might need to make now, to ensure it works across all fronts - work, home and life more generally.

Where possible, start with job fulfilment - work that uses your strengths, is in line with your values and linked with your interests. It’s about you enjoying your job and feeling energised, motivated and proud of it, and then think about how can you do that flexibly and at the level you want.

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Advice

BLOG

Our coaching team is on hand to answer your questions!

There’s a lot of evidence that if you orientate your career, and life as a whole, around knowing and using your strengths, you are likely to be better at what you do and also to be happier.

Strengths are what you’re good at and what energises you. You’ll know when you’re using your strengths as you often get a buzz out of using them. Often other people are best placed to give you very valuable feedback on your strengths. This is because we tend to underestimate our own strengths as they are often the things that come naturally to us – and we tend to value more the things we find harder.

When reflecting on your work values, consider what’s most important to you in your working life?

Is it about making a difference, ensuring you’re continually developing or being challenged?

Consider which aspects you’re prepared to compromise on and which are make-or-break.

Likewise, it’s really valuable to spend time reflecting on your interests - what do you enjoy doing? How have your interests changed over the years? What new emerging areas capture your imagination that perhaps weren’t around earlier in your career?

Use all of these factors to help you develop your

Don’t underestimate the intangible aspect of which jobs excite you - this is equally valuable information! Look to your networks to find people who are doing similar roles and chat to them about what they do, a typical day, what they enjoy and don’t. Test out whether it’s possible to achieve those things that are important to you in that particular role.

If you’re thinking about doing something totally different, see if you can volunteer in this area to build your experience, test if it feels like a good fit, and make new contacts. A volunteering opportunity can sometimes lead to a paid one – you’re in the right place to hear about any paid opportunities that come up, plus you’ve had a chance to demonstrate what you can bring.

And if you want to go back to your old field, make sure you get up to date – do your research, read industry journals, attend webinars and conferences - and get back in touch with old colleagues and friends now working in the area to understand the changes.

The important piece is to get started – don’t wait for everything to be perfect! Just start taking small steps forward every day towards your exciting new career chapter.

decision criteria and think creatively about how they could translate into different job options.

How am I going to get there?

The next step is to actively explore your options. Pick two or three options that you have the most energy to investigate.

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Read more in our Back to Your Future Blog

Meet Natalie

Career Returners

TEAM

Our new Community Manager tells us about her return to work journey and why she is excited to be developing our new global social network for returners!

have for others embarking on their own return to work journey?

Tell us a little bit about your new role at Career Returners?

In my role as Community Manager at Career Returners, I’m excited to be taking the lead on engagement with our amazing network of nearly 10,000 returners. Right now, I’m focused on bringing an exciting new innovation to life that will elevate the advice, inspiration and support we provide to our members and take it to the next level. Over the next few months, we’re going to be launching the first global social network for returners!

That is exciting! What will this social network look like?

Accessed through both a new Career Returners Community App and a new online Community Members area, this will be a vibrant, welcoming and supportive space for all professionals who are returning to work after a career break, wherever you’re located and wherever you are in the return-towork journey.

We’ll be able to offer so much more to our members! You can connect with other returners in your local area, from your sector or who have taken a break for a similar reason.

You will be able to chat together, ask your questions, get peer support and encouragement and share experiences to keep each other motivated.

Our Career Returners team will also be able to give you more tailored support, resources and information.

We’ll be hosting even more interactive events and informal sessions with our expert Career Returners coaches. We’ll also be giving you more information and

support if you’re at the job search stage, including applying for returner programmes and roles with our employer partners.

What are your personal hopes for the launch?

My goal is to create a true sense of community, belonging, inspiration and empowerment. I want all returners to find their tribe!

Returning to work after a career break can often feel isolating and many people think they’re going through it alone. But in this space, returners will have the opportunity to connect with others who truly get it. I’m so excited about how this community can be a source of realtime support, where our members can share stories, celebrate wins and help each other to restart their career with confidence.

I’m also looking forward to having lots of opportunities to meet and chat to our members!

You’ve just returned to work yourself after a 3 year career break. How was it coming back to work and what advice do you

My biggest piece of advice is to give yourself grace. Returning to work isn’t just about adapting to a new job - it’s about finding a new rhythm between work and home life.

Transitions take time and after years out it takes time to build confidence and get back into the swing of things, and that’s perfectly normal.

My brain is still adjusting from talking to a toddler all day, to now engaging with an adult team!

Another thing I’d recommend is leaning on your support system.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help or seek out advice from others who have been in your shoes. We all need support, and that’s one of the reasons why I’m so passionate about strengthening our Career Returners Community - it’s a place where you can connect with others going through the same experience and find encouragement along the way.

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

My 3 year old keeps me very busy.

You’ll find us out and about at soft play, the park, the farm, etc. For myself, I love yoga and trying my hand at different experiences like pottery, cooking classes or trying to learn Spanish for the 7283th time. I also love to travel. I have spent months in France, Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, Chile, Malaysia and many more places.

Although nowadays you’ll find me in Milton Keynes, UK and – very soon – in our online Career Returners Community!!

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Bhini’s Success Story “Returning to work can be daunting after an extended period away. Be kind to yourself.”

Bhini Phagura Family Solicitor Rayden Solicitors 5 year career break

I qualified as a family solicitor in 2012. In 2015, I took a career break to focus on my first child during his early years. This turned into a longer period following the birth of my second child two years later. Once my children moved to full-time education, I initially undertook a non-legal role to ease myself back into working life – after 5 years of being away from work, I needed to be realistic as to how I would manage my work life and home life.

Shortly after being in my non-legal role, I decided to resume my legal career. The advice I received from Career Returners was invaluable. I received assistance with my CV and cover letter, mentoring support and one to one advice. I was encouraged to enhance my social media platforms, which as a result provided me with an opportunity to contribute to the Legal Women Magazine.

“The advice I received from Career Returners was invaluable.

I received assistance with my CV and cover letter, mentoring support and one to one advice.”

When I was on my search for a legal role, I wanted to find a firm which embraced flexible working and promoted a work / life balance. I came across Rayden Solicitors, a specialist family law firm based locally to me in St. Albans. Their ethos resonated with me and I decided to get in touch to see what opportunities the firm might have for someone in my position. My initial approach to Rayden Solicitors

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Inspiration SUCCESS STORY

was based upon a desire to gain some experience and rebuild on my knowledge in family law so as to ease myself back in gently. It is important to be realistic about what you can do, particularly after an extended period away from the profession. As each week passed, my confidence grew and I knew Rayden’s offered everything I felt necessary to facilitate my return to law – from training and support to flexible working patterns.

“As each week passed, my confidence grew” I have been extremely fortunate to work closely with an incredible team who are always available for guidance and support. When I joined Rayden's I was assigned a mentor who I had regular catch ups with and could answer any questions I had. I have also been a mentor to new starters which is very rewarding.

Since my return, I have progressed well. I was promoted to Associate earlier in the year and the firm continues to offer me opportunities to progress.

I know there are many other women who are considering returning to work and who may have lots of questions, I certainly asked a fair few before I returned.

I have provided my details below for any returners to law who need support.

Here are my top tips!

Returning to work can be daunting after an extended period away. Be kind to yourself.

There will be times when you may feel torn between parental guilt and returning to work, and that is fine.

Reach out to colleagues and friends, monitor and use social media and the Career Returners Facebook group for support. You will realise that there are many others in the same position, or have been in the same position, as you who can offer invaluable advice.

Network – start building your connections locally and networking in person. Nothing beats face to face meetings and social events.

Read the Career Returner's success story library - it is empowering and encouraging.

Think about updating your LinkedIn profile and connecting, or reconnecting, with contacts, new and old. Online networking is also an invaluable opportunity to build your confidence.

Be persistent and confident – it may take time to find the perfect role for you. The skills you acquire whilst working do not disappear whilst on a career break, in fact you continue to use these during a career break.

Approach firms directly – it worked for me.

Twitter/X: @bhinip Instagram: bhini_familysolicitor LinkedIn: Bhini Phagura - Rayden Solicitors | LinkedIn

Read more inspiring stories in our Success Story Library

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Advice

ASK THE COACHES

Our coaching team is on hand to answer your questions!

Technology has grown rapidly and I feel out of date after my 6 year career break! How can I update my skills so that I can get back to my tech career?

You are bound to feel a little out of date after a career break, many returners feel the same, but new skills can be learned and do have faith that what you knew before is still relevant or transferable as you return to work. There are lots of options to get you started in updating your skills in tech, starting with our Career Returners members area. Here you can access free online training through the Cisco Academy on everything from Python Essentials, English for IT, upskilling in Cybersecurity or Digital Transformation and much more. Join our network to gain access to free members resources and to explore the Cisco Academy.

Skills bootcamps are great for helping you develop new skills that employers are looking for.

They’re a great opportunity to train in a new industry or progress in your current career. Try looking at the Government website for ideas, and there are specific options for upskilling in digital skills with the Government also. Skills bootcamps are free of charge courses that last up to 16 weeks and cover a whole host of digital skills, from web and software development to cyber security and cloud computing. Some also come with a guaranteed job interview at the end of completing your course.

There is also the option to apply for tech retraining programmes. TechSwitch provides an opportunity for people from all walks of life to become expert Software Developers. Their training bootcamp will help you expand your horizons, learn new skills and feel supported entering a new industry even if you’ve never written a line of code! You can retrain as a software engineer on their 12-week bootcamp and once you complete the course, they’ll help find you an industry placement. The great news is that TechSwitch are currently recruiting for a start date of January 2025.

FDM also offers retraining into tech and their 7-week Returners Programme is designed specifically for experienced professionals returning after a career break. The programme offers specialist learning and development, coaching, mentoring and real-life assignments at organisations. It’s a great way to refresh your skills, update your terminology, and gain industryrecognised qualifications.

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Inspiration PODCAST

The Podcast to #InspireYourReturn

We’re so excited to bring you our new mini-series of our Career Returners Podcast!

This mini-series is all about career change in midlife and our first episode features the wonderful Charlotte Hills who successfully changed careers from TV Production to Rail Innovation after a 6 year career break to raise her twin daughters.

A key theme of our conversation with Charlotte is around transferable skills, and the pivotal role they played in her successful career change. As Head of Innovation now at HS2, Charlotte talks to how her ability to build a narrative and bring people on board with her, skills all honed in her TV career, have been key to her success.

Listen to the full episode

Listen to Charlotte’s clip

A big thank you to longer lives thinktank Phoenix Insights for sponsoring this miniseries and for convening the Careers can change campaign.

Career Returners is proud to be part of the Careers can change campaign, aiming to inspire people to see that their careers can change successfully, in many different ways.

Catch up on previous episodes in our Career Returners Podcast

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