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Support and inspiration for career returners

Welcome!

WelcometoourSeptemberedition!There’sdefinitelyan autumnalchillintheairandtheanticipationofnew beginnings!Wehopethatyouhadawonderfulsummerand tooksometimetorelaxandrecharge

Inthismonth’sedition,wehelpyoutogetstartedonyourreturntoworkandtoget focussed Ourblogwilltakeyouthroughaseriesofkeyquestionstohelpyoutogetclarity onwhyyouwanttoreturn,whatyou’relookingforandhowtogetstarted Dograbapen andpaperasyouworkthroughthequestionsweposesothatyouendupwithasetof decisionmakingcriteriatoguideyoursearch

Ifyou’relookingtoreturntotech,takealookatour‘AsktheCoaches’sectionfortipsand linkstodifferentresources DocheckouttheCiscoAcademyTechCoursesinourMembers Resourcessectiononourwebsitetoaccesslotsoffreeonlinecoursestohelpyouupskill.

Andifreturningtoyourcareerinlawresonates,readBhini’sSuccessStoryofreturning toworkatRaydenSolicitorsaftera5yearcareerbreak Welovedhersteppingstone approachtogettingbacktowork–firstundertakinganon-legalroletoeaseherself backintoworkinglife,thenjoiningRaydeninitiallytorebuildherlegalknowledgeand experience,andnowcompletelyflourishingthereinherroleasanAssociateSolicitor!

Ifyou’relookingtodosomethingcompletelydifferentonyourreturntowork,take alistentoourlatestpodcastepisodeonyournextwalk!Welovedchattingto CharlotteHillswhosharedherstoryofsuccessfullychangingcareersandsectors, movingfromTVproductiontoRailinnovationafterher6yearcareerbreak!

Contributors

KarenDanker

HeadofCoaching

LizMearns

DeputyHeadof Coaching

LaurenWilson

LeadCoach

Finally,we’vebeenverybusyworkingtowardsthelaunchofan excitinginnovationforournetworkcommunity-thefirstglobal SocialNetworkforReturners!You’llbeabletoaccessthenetwork throughanewCareerReturnersCommunityAppandaCommunity MembersAreaonourwebsite MeetNatalieournewCommunity Managerwhosharesmoreaboutthisfantasticnewventure.

Asalways,doletusknowatcoach@careerreturnerscomifyou haveanyquestionsforour‘AsktheCoaches’orifthereareany topicsyou’dloveustofeature!

Happyreading! CareerReturnersCoachingTeam

Karen & Liz

SEPTEMBER 2024

3 Your Return to Work: How to get started

Septemberisatimefornewbeginnings! Weshareourkeyquestionstohelpyou gainclarityandfocusasyousteptowards thisexcitingnewchapterinyourcareer

9

Ask

the Coaches

6 Meet Natalie

OurnewCommunityManagertellsusabout herreturntoworkjourneyandwhysheis excitedtobebuildingournewreturner community!

Couldyoubenefitfromatechupdateafter yourcareerbreak?Thismonthour coachingteamgivesadviceonupdating andrefreshingyourtechskillsasyou returntowork

7 Bhini’s Return to Work Success Story

Bhinishareshertoptipsforreturningto workinthelegalsector,includingdeciding what’simportanttoyoufirstand approachingfirmsdirectly

10 New Podcast Mini-series!

HearourinspiringchatwithCharlotteHills asshediscussesreturningtoworkina completelynewroleandsector,utilising hertransferableskills–fromTVProduction toRailInnovation!

“Theimportantpieceistogetstarted–don’twaitforeverythingtobeperfect!”

Septemberisoftenthetimefornew beginningsandoncethesummer holidaysarebehindus,weknowthat manyreturners’attentionshiftstotheir returntoworkplan.Gettingfocussed howevercanbethehardest,butmost valuable,firststep.

Withoutfocus,youcansometimesgetalittle stuckorstarttoheaddownthewrongpath, adoptingoneofthefollowingstrategies:

Treatingyourjobsearchlikearesearch projectwithlotsofthinkingbutlittleaction

Takingascattergunapproach–randomly applyingforarangeofjobsonline

Waitingto‘findyourpassion’orforthe ‘perfectjob’tocomealong

Withalloftheseapproaches,you’releftno furtherforwardTomakeprogress,it’sso importanttohavegreaterclarityandfocusSo, therearethreekeyquestionsyouneedtoask yourself:

WhydoIwanttogobacktowork?

WhatdoIwanttodo?

HowamIgoingtogetthere?

WhydoIwanttogobacktowork?

Startbyworkingoutexactlywhyyouwantto returntoworkYourmotivationisoftenamixof differentthingsItcouldbeaneedforintellectual stimulation,touseyourqualifications,ortobea rolemodelforyourchildrenItcouldbeadesire foramoretangiblesenseofachievementorto getyourprofessionalidentitybackItcould befinancialmotivation;eitherfinancialnecessity, wantingtocontributeyourfairshareorwanting

thevalueyoufeelfromearningyourownmoney Asyouconsideryourjoboptions,checkthat you’llbefulfillingyourmajormotivationsinthe rolesyou’reconsidering

WhatdoIwanttodo?

Thisisoftenwherepeoplestrayofftrackasthey lookforoptionsthatwouldtickalltheircriteriaof beingfulfillingwork,attherightlevelandwith theflextheyneed However,it’sunlikelythat you’llbeabletooptimiseall3fromthestart Instead,consideryourlifeasawholeandreflect onwhatcompromises/trade-offsyoumightneed tomakenow,toensureitworksacrossallfronts -work,homeandlifemoregenerally

Wherepossible,startwithjobfulfilment-work thatusesyourstrengths,isinlinewithyour valuesandlinkedwithyourinterests It’sabout youenjoyingyourjobandfeelingenergised, motivatedandproudofit,andthenthinkabout howcanyoudothatflexiblyandatthelevelyou want

Our coaching team is on hand to answer your questions!

There’salotofevidencethatifyouorientate yourcareer,andlifeasawhole,aroundknowing andusingyourstrengths,youarelikelytobe betteratwhatyoudoandalsotobehappier. Strengthsarewhatyou’regoodatandwhat energisesyou You’llknowwhenyou’reusing yourstrengthsasyouoftengetabuzzoutof usingthem Oftenotherpeoplearebestplaced togiveyouveryvaluablefeedbackonyour strengths Thisisbecausewetendto underestimateourownstrengthsastheyare oftenthethingsthatcomenaturallytous–and wetendtovaluemorethethingswefindharder.

Whenreflectingonyourworkvalues,consider what’smostimportanttoyouinyourworkinglife? Isitaboutmakingadifference,ensuringyou’re continuallydevelopingorbeingchallenged? Considerwhichaspectsyou’repreparedto compromiseonandwhicharemake-or-break

Likewise,it’sreallyvaluabletospendtime reflectingonyourinterests-whatdoyouenjoy doing?Howhaveyourinterestschangedover theyears?Whatnewemergingareascapture yourimaginationthatperhapsweren’taround earlierinyourcareer?

Useallofthesefactorstohelpyoudevelopyour decisioncriteriaandthinkcreativelyabouthow theycouldtranslateintodifferentjoboptions. HowamIgoingtogetthere?

Thenextstepistoactivelyexploreyour optionsPicktwoorthreeoptionsthatyouhave themostenergytoinvestigate

Don’tunderestimatetheintangibleaspectof whichjobsexciteyou-thisisequallyvaluable information!Looktoyournetworkstofindpeople whoaredoingsimilarrolesandchattothem aboutwhattheydo,atypicalday,whatthey enjoyanddon’t.Testoutwhetherit’spossibleto achievethosethingsthatareimportanttoyouin thatparticularrole

Ifyou’rethinkingaboutdoingsomethingtotally different,seeifyoucanvolunteerinthisareato buildyourexperience,testifitfeelslikeagood fit,andmakenewcontacts.Avolunteering opportunitycansometimesleadtoapaidone–you’reintherightplacetohearaboutanypaid opportunitiesthatcomeup,plusyou’vehada chancetodemonstratewhatyoucanbring

Andifyouwanttogobacktoyouroldfield,make sureyougetuptodate–doyourresearch,read industryjournals,attendwebinarsand conferences-andgetbackintouchwithold colleaguesandfriendsnowworkinginthearea tounderstandthechanges

Theimportantpieceistogetstarted–don’twait foreverythingtobeperfect!Juststarttaking smallstepsforwardeverydaytowardsyour excitingnewcareerchapter

Meet Natalie

OurnewCommunityManagertellsusaboutherreturntoworkjourneyandwhysheis excitedtobedevelopingournewglobalsocialnetworkforreturners!

Tellusalittlebitaboutyour newroleatCareerReturners?

InmyroleasCommunityManagerat CareerReturners,I’mexcitedtobe takingtheleadonengagementwith ouramazingnetworkofnearly 10,000returners.Rightnow,I’m focusedonbringinganexcitingnew innovationtolifethatwillelevate theadvice,inspirationandsupport weprovidetoourmembersand takeittothenextlevelOverthe nextfewmonths,we’regoingtobe launchingthefirstglobalsocial networkforreturners!

Thatisexciting!Whatwillthis socialnetworklooklike?

Accessedthroughbothanew CareerReturnersCommunityApp andanewonlineCommunity Membersarea,thiswillbeavibrant, welcomingandsupportivespacefor allprofessionalswhoarereturning toworkafteracareerbreak, whereveryou’relocatedand whereveryouareinthereturn-toworkjourney

We’llbeabletooffersomuchmore toourmembers!Youcanconnect withotherreturnersinyourlocal area,fromyoursectororwhohave takenabreakforasimilarreason Youwillbeabletochattogether, askyourquestions,getpeersupport andencouragementandshare experiencestokeepeachother motivated

OurCareerReturnersteamwillalso beabletogiveyoumoretailored support,resourcesandinformation We’llbehostingevenmore interactiveeventsandinformal sessionswithourexpertCareer ReturnerscoachesWe’llalsobe givingyoumoreinformationand

supportifyou’reatthejobsearch stage,includingapplyingfor returnerprogrammesandroleswith ouremployerpartners

Whatareyourpersonalhopes forthelaunch?

Mygoalistocreateatruesenseof community,belonging,inspiration andempowermentIwantall returnerstofindtheirtribe! Returningtoworkafteracareer breakcanoftenfeelisolatingand manypeoplethinkthey’regoing throughitaloneButinthisspace, returnerswillhavetheopportunity toconnectwithotherswhotrulyget itI’msoexcitedabouthowthis communitycanbeasourceofrealtimesupport,whereourmembers cansharestories,celebratewins andhelpeachothertorestarttheir careerwithconfidence

I’malsolookingforwardtohaving lotsofopportunitiestomeetand chattoourmembers!

You’vejustreturnedtowork yourselfaftera3yearcareer break.Howwasitcomingback toworkandwhatadvicedoyou

haveforothersembarkingon theirownreturntowork journey?

Mybiggestpieceofadviceistogive yourselfgraceReturningtowork isn’tjustaboutadaptingtoanewjob -it’saboutfindinganewrhythm betweenworkandhomelife

Transitionstaketimeandafteryears outittakestimetobuildconfidence andgetbackintotheswingof things,andthat’sperfectlynormal Mybrainisstilladjustingfrom talkingtoatoddlerallday,tonow engagingwithanadultteam!

AnotherthingI’drecommendis leaningonyoursupportsystem Don’tbeafraidtoaskforhelpor seekoutadvicefromotherswho havebeeninyourshoes.Weall needsupport,andthat’soneofthe reasonswhyI’msopassionateabout strengtheningourCareerReturners Community-it’saplacewhereyou canconnectwithothersgoing throughthesameexperienceand findencouragementalongtheway

Whenyou'renotworking,what arewelikelytofindyoudoing?

My3yearoldkeepsmeverybusy You’llfindusoutandaboutatsoft play,thepark,thefarm,etcFor myself,Iloveyogaandtryingmy handatdifferentexperienceslike pottery,cookingclassesortryingto learnSpanishforthe7283thtimeI alsolovetotravelIhavespent monthsinFrance,Mexico, Guatemala,Colombia,Chile, Malaysiaandmanymoreplaces Althoughnowadaysyou’llfindmein MiltonKeynes,UKand–verysoon–inouronlineCareerReturners Community!!

Bhini’s Success Story

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

Iqualifiedasafamilysolicitorin2012 In2015,Itookacareer breaktofocusonmyfirstchildduringhisearlyyears Thisturned intoalongerperiodfollowingthebirthofmysecondchildtwo yearslater Oncemychildrenmovedtofull-timeeducation,I initiallyundertookanon-legalroletoeasemyselfbackinto workinglife–after5yearsofbeingawayfromwork,Ineededto berealisticastohowIwouldmanagemyworklifeandhomelife

Shortlyafterbeinginmynon-legalrole,Idecidedtoresumemy legalcareer TheadviceIreceivedfromCareerReturnerswas invaluable IreceivedassistancewithmyCVandcoverletter, mentoringsupportandonetooneadvice Iwasencouragedto enhancemysocialmediaplatforms,whichasaresultprovidedme withanopportunitytocontributetotheLegalWomenMagazine.

“TheadviceIreceivedfromCareerReturnerswasinvaluable. IreceivedassistancewithmyCVandcoverletter,mentoring supportandonetooneadvice.”

WhenIwasonmysearchforalegalrole,Iwantedtofindafirmwhichembracedflexibleworkingand promotedawork/lifebalance.IcameacrossRaydenSolicitors,aspecialistfamilylawfirmbased locallytomeinSt.Albans.TheirethosresonatedwithmeandIdecidedtogetintouchtoseewhat opportunitiesthefirmmighthaveforsomeoneinmyposition MyinitialapproachtoRaydenSolicitors

wasbaseduponadesiretogainsome experienceandrebuildonmyknowledgein familylawsoastoeasemyselfbackingently It isimportanttoberealisticaboutwhatyoucan do,particularlyafteranextendedperiodaway fromtheprofession Aseachweekpassed,my confidencegrewandIknewRayden’soffered everythingIfeltnecessarytofacilitatemyreturn tolaw–fromtrainingandsupporttoflexible workingpatterns.

“Aseachweekpassed,my confidencegrew”

Ihavebeenextremelyfortunatetoworkclosely withanincredibleteamwhoarealwaysavailable forguidanceandsupport WhenIjoined Rayden'sIwasassignedamentorwhoIhad regularcatchupswithandcouldanswerany questionsIhad Ihavealsobeenamentorto newstarterswhichisveryrewarding

Sincemyreturn,Ihaveprogressedwell.Iwas promotedtoAssociateearlierintheyearandthe firmcontinuestooffermeopportunitiesto progress

Iknowtherearemanyotherwomenwhoare consideringreturningtoworkandwhomayhave lotsofquestions,Icertainlyaskedafairfew beforeIreturned

Ihaveprovidedmydetailsbelowforany returnerstolawwhoneedsupport.

Herearemytoptips!

Returningtoworkcanbedauntingafteran extendedperiodaway Bekindtoyourself Therewillbetimeswhenyoumayfeeltorn betweenparentalguiltandreturningto work,andthatisfine

Reachouttocolleaguesandfriends,monitor andusesocialmediaandtheCareer ReturnersFacebookgroupforsupport.You willrealisethattherearemanyothersinthe sameposition,orhavebeeninthesame position,asyouwhocanofferinvaluable advice

Network–startbuildingyourconnections locallyandnetworkinginperson Nothing beatsfacetofacemeetingsandsocial events.

ReadtheCareerReturner'ssuccessstory library-itisempoweringandencouraging

ThinkaboutupdatingyourLinkedInprofile andconnecting,orreconnecting,with contacts,newandold Onlinenetworkingis alsoaninvaluableopportunitytobuildyour confidence.

Bepersistentandconfident–itmaytake timetofindtheperfectroleforyou The skillsyouacquirewhilstworkingdonot disappearwhilstonacareerbreak,infact youcontinuetousetheseduringacareer break

Approachfirmsdirectly–itworkedforme

Readmoreinspiringstories inourSuccessStoryLibrary

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?

Youareboundtofeelalittleoutofdateafteracareerbreak,manyreturnersfeelthesame,but newskillscanbelearnedanddohavefaiththatwhatyouknewbeforeisstillrelevantor transferableasyoureturntowork Therearelotsofoptionstogetyoustartedinupdatingyour skillsintech,startingwithourCareerReturnersmembersarea Hereyoucanaccessfreeonline trainingthroughtheCiscoAcademyoneverythingfromPythonEssentials,EnglishforIT, upskillinginCybersecurityorDigitalTransformationandmuchmore.Joinournetworktogain accesstofreemembersresourcesandtoexploretheCiscoAcademy

Skillsbootcampsaregreatforhelpingyoudevelopnewskillsthatemployersarelookingfor. They’reagreatopportunitytotraininanewindustryorprogressinyourcurrentcareer Try lookingattheGovernmentwebsiteforideas,andtherearespecificoptionsforupskillingin digitalskillswiththeGovernmentalso Skillsbootcampsarefreeofchargecoursesthatlastup to16weeksandcoverawholehostofdigitalskills,fromwebandsoftwaredevelopmentto cybersecurityandcloudcomputing Somealsocomewithaguaranteedjobinterviewattheend ofcompletingyourcourse

Thereisalsotheoptiontoapplyfortechretrainingprogrammes.TechSwitchprovidesan opportunityforpeoplefromallwalksoflifetobecomeexpertSoftwareDevelopers Their trainingbootcampwillhelpyouexpandyourhorizons,learnnewskillsandfeelsupported enteringanewindustryevenifyou’veneverwrittenalineofcode!Youcanretrainasasoftware engineerontheir12-weekbootcampandonceyoucompletethecourse,they’llhelpfindyouan industryplacement ThegreatnewsisthatTechSwitcharecurrentlyrecruitingforastartdate ofJanuary2025.

FDMalsooffersretrainingintotechandtheir7-weekReturnersProgrammeisdesigned specificallyforexperiencedprofessionalsreturningafteracareerbreak Theprogrammeoffers specialistlearninganddevelopment,coaching,mentoringandreal-lifeassignmentsat organisations It’sagreatwaytorefreshyourskills,updateyourterminology,andgainindustryrecognisedqualifications

The Podcast to #InspireYourReturn

We’resoexcitedtobringyouournewmini-seriesofourCareerReturnersPodcast! Thismini-seriesisallaboutcareerchangeinmidlifeandourfirstepisodefeaturesthe wonderfulCharlotteHillswhosuccessfullychangedcareersfromTVProductionto RailInnovationaftera6yearcareerbreaktoraisehertwindaughters.

AkeythemeofourconversationwithCharlotteisaroundtransferableskills,andthe pivotalroletheyplayedinhersuccessfulcareerchange AsHeadofInnovationnow atHS2,Charlottetalkstohowherabilitytobuildanarrativeandbringpeopleon boardwithher,skillsallhonedinherTVcareer,havebeenkeytohersuccess