Your Return April 24

Support and inspiration for career returners Issue 2 I April 2024

Welcome!

Welcome to our April edition! There’s lots of excitement here at Career Returners as we get closer to our annual online ‘Back to your Future’ Conference now just a couple of weeks away. Read on for our article on what to expect from the Conference and top tips on how to make the most of these bumper packed days.

In this month’s issue, we’re also looking at the experiences and transferable skills gained during career breaks. Learning how to value these and articulate the transferable skills gained will help you to update your CV and talk confidently about the value of your career break at interview.

We often hear returners worry about outdated technical skills, so in ‘Ask the Coaches’, we explore how you can update and refresh your skills after an extended career break.

Contributors

For some inspiration this month, read Yuliia Nazarenko’s Success Story about moving from Ukraine to the UK in 2021 and returning to work at National Highways. And in our review of ‘The Light We Carry’, we share our takeaways from Michelle Obama’s book on resilience and finding purpose and balance whilst navigating challenge.

Karen Danker Head of Coaching

Liz Mearns Deputy Head of Coaching

Lauren Wilson Lead Coach

Finally, in Q&A with our Coaching Team, Lauren one of our Senior Coaches, shares her route into coaching and top tips for returners looking to boost their professional confidence as they return to work.

Happy reading!

Karen & Liz Career Returners Coaching Team

Maharukh Dalal Lead Coach

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Contents

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APRIL 2024

3 Reframing Your Career Break We look at ways to identify the value of your career break and how to articulate your transferable skills

5 Yuliia’s Success Story Yuliia shares the challenges of starting afresh in a new country, balancing family commitments and finding a flexible role

7 Book Review

9 Back to Your Future Conference 2024 We look at what you will gain from the Conference, what to expect and how to prepare for an action-packed 2 days

13 Ask the Coaches Our team gives advice on how to update and refresh your skills after an extended career break

Our highlights from ‘The Light We Carry’, Michelle Obama’s deeply personal and inspirational exploration of challenges she has faced and strategies for resilience

8 Meet Lauren

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

One of our Senior Coaches shares her route into coaching and top tips for building confidence as you return to work

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Unearthing value and articulating transferable skills

“What if we viewed a career break not as a gap in a CV but as a rich period of growth and learning?”

Advice BLOG

Taking a career break, whether by choice or circumstance, often carries a complex mix of emotions and implications for professionals.

While the reasons vary, including caring commitments, health reasons, relocation, redundancy and professional development to name but a few returning to the workforce can feel daunting.

However, what if we viewed a career break not as a gap in a CV but as a rich period of growth and learning? This post aims to help you reframe your career break by identifying its inherent value and learnings, and articulating your transferable skills in a way that resonates with potential employers.

Identifying the Value and Learnings 1. Personal Development: A career break often leads to significant personal development, including improved resilience, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. Reflect on how you've grown personally during this period and consider how these traits are valuable in a professional setting.

2. New Perspectives: Stepping away from the workforce can provide new insights into what you value in a career, your preferred work culture, and the type of work-life balance you seek. Your experiences on a career break may also help you to bring a different way of thinking and problem solving, which is hugely valued by teams.

3. Skills Acquisition: During a break, many individuals acquire new skills. Whether through exploring a hobby, formal education, volunteering or other employment, these experiences contribute to what you can offer a new employer.

Articulating Transferable Skills 1. Communication: If your break involved coordinating activities for family, volunteer projects or other employment, you likely honed your communication skills. Employers value clear, concise communication, so this is a key skill to highlight.

2. Project Management: Organising any event such as leading a community project or planning a relocation can enhance your project management skills. Highlight how these experiences have taught you to manage time, resources, and expectations effectively.

3. Problem-solving: Life outside the traditional workforce is full of unexpected challenges requiring creative solutions. Reflect on moments when you had

to think on your feet or navigate complex situations, demonstrating your problem-solving abilities.

4. Adaptability: Successfully managing a career break requires adaptability—a skill highly prized in today’s fast-paced work environment. Consider how adapting to new circumstances or learning new technologies during your break has prepared you for the dynamic nature of the workplace.

Making It Relevant to Your Role 1. Tailor your CV: When preparing for your return, tailor your CV to the specific role. Mirror the language used in the job ad to describe your skills and experiences, making it easier for hiring managers to see the relevance.

2. List your transferable skills: Under your professional profile, list your key skills including your transferable skills developed during your career break as relevant to the role you’re going for now.

3. Confidence in your Career Break at Interview: When you land that interview, discuss your career break with confidence! Clearly articulate how your unique experiences have equipped you with a diverse skill set and a fresh perspective.

By reframing your career break as an opportunity for growth and learning and articulating your transferable skills effectively, you can make a compelling case for why you are not just a suitable candidate, but a valuable asset to any team.

Read more in our Back to Your Future Blog Your Return

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Yuliia’s Success Story “My manager later told me that I showed a range of transferable skills during the interview that would be helpful in the project I was interviewed for”

Yuliia Nazarenko Pilot Delivery Manager National Highways (2 year career break)

I’m a PMI certified Project Manager. In my last role before my career break, I worked as a Senior Project Manager for a Ukrainian company that specialised in energy efficient solutions for residents and businesses.

In 2021, my family moved from Ukraine to the UK. I took a career break to take care of my son who has special needs while we waited for a school place for him. During this time war started in Ukraine, so I also spent time volunteering, helping Ukrainians seek refuge in the UK with paperwork and essential needs.

Alongside my volunteering, I worked on my personal and professional development. I took English classes to increase my tech vocabulary and online project management courses to catch up with the ins and outs of fast-paced work environments. It was always my aim to get back to work as soon as my children were settled at school.

“However, despite my extensive experience and impressive skill set nobody wanted to consider my CV because of my career gap”

Inspiration SUCCESS STORY However, despite my extensive experience and impressive skill set nobody wanted to consider my CV because of my career gap. I was desperate to find a new position. I had been looking for a job for more than 6 months when I came across Career Returners. I applied for a position on the National Highways Returner Programme and subsequently secured an interview.

“Career Returners facilitated regular coaching sessions that proved invaluable in helping us adjust seamlessly to the working environment” Following a successful interview, I was delighted to be offered a role! My manager later told me that even though I had never worked for a company that builds and maintains roads, I showed a range of transferable skills during the interview that would be helpful in the project I was interviewed for.

From Day 1, National Highways and Career Returners provided support every step of the way. National Highways offered various touchpoints to acquaint us with the company's priorities and values, ensuring a smooth integration. Additionally, Career Returners facilitated regular coaching sessions that proved invaluable in helping us readjust seamlessly to the working environment.

“Flexible/hybrid working helped me a lot to organise my personal routine ” It was difficult at the beginning with my family to manage their existing expectations and set new boundaries for my availability. But at work, maybe because of the amazing team I work with, I had no problems. Everybody was understanding and supportive. No pressure at all.

Flexible/hybrid working helped me a lot to organise my personal routine.

“Let your family know in advance that you will be working and might not be around as much as you used to be” I’m still excited about being back at work and I have plans to progress in the future! Anyone thinking about going back to work should consider how it will impact their routine ahead of time. Let your family know in advance that you will be working and might not be around as much as you used to be!

“If going back to work is something you’re serious about, then don’t give up!”

Once you’re in your role don’t be afraid to ask questions - there are no wrong questions. If going back to work is something you're serious about, then don't give up!

Read more inspiring stories in our Success Story Library

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Book Review

This month, we’ve been reading "The Light We Carry" by Michelle Obama.

It’s an inspiring and deeply personal book where the former First Lady shares her experiences and the strategies she has employed to overcome various challenges. In this thoughtful exploration, Obama delves into themes of change, uncertainty, and the importance of connection, offering readers a guide to navigating life's inevitable difficulties with grace and strength.

Our Top 5 Takeaways:

1 Embrace the Power of Small

4 Staying True to Yourself

Obama emphasises the significance of small, everyday actions and choices in making a big difference in our lives and the lives of others. She encourages readers to find joy and meaning in the "small" things, which can provide a sense of stability and hope during turbulent times.

Obama's narrative underscores the importance of authenticity and staying true to one's values and beliefs, even in the face of adversity. She encourages readers to embrace their unique stories and identities as sources of power.

2 Managing Your Inner Critic One of the central themes of the book is the importance of managing self-doubt and the inner critic that can undermine our confidence and happiness.

Obama shares strategies for engaging with our inner voices constructively, teaching us how to challenge negative self-talk and embrace our strengths and vulnerabilities.

3 The Importance of Community The book highlights the value of building and leaning on a supportive community. Obama shares how relationships and connections have been a source of strength and guidance for her, reminding readers that we are not meant to navigate life's challenges alone.

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5 Finding and Sharing Your Light Ultimately, Obama advocates for finding your own light - your purpose, joy, and passion - and sharing that light with the world. It's about contributing positively and making an impact, no matter how small it may seem.

"The Light We Carry" is not just a memoir but a beacon of hope and a toolkit for resilience, offering practical advice and profound insights on how to navigate life's challenges. Through her own story, Michelle Obama inspires us to find and harness our inner strength, reminding us of the power of community, kindness, and staying true to ourselves in the process of overcoming obstacles and pursuing a meaningful life.

Meet Lauren

Career Returners COACHING TEAM

One of our Senior Coaches shares her route into coaching and top tips for returners looking to boost their professional confidence as they return to work

Tell us a little bit about your professional background?

My professional background is in economics and law and I worked with some leading financial services organisations, consumer groups and regulatory bodies in both Scotland and in London for 10+ years . I then took a career break to raise three children during which time I qualified as a psychotherapist before doing all my coaching qualifications and setting up my own coaching business. Keen to help others return to work after an extended career break, I was then delighted to join Women (Career) Returners in 2019 where I’m now part of the coaching team as a senior coach.

What sparked your journey into coaching?

During my first maternity leave, I knew I was ready to try something new where I was more directly involved with people.

Qualifying first of all as a psychotherapist, allowed me to help individuals work through issues from their past which can still play out in the present.

However, the ability to then empower people to take positive steps forward in their lives and careers through coaching was where I really felt I could add most value. I therefore undertook all my coaching qualifications through the International Coaching Federation.

something new but are unsure where to start and whether their skills and strengths are transferable.

What are your top tips for navigating these?

What do you love about coaching?

Coaching has been an incredibly positive and rewarding experience for me. As a coach your key role is to motivate others to make positive changes and achieve their aspirations.

Working with returners and seeing how their journeys progress and their confidence grow is just wonderful.

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

The main themes I see working with returners are they are often suffering from a dip in their professional confidence. They have some self-doubt in their ability to return to work and whether their skills will be valuable anymore. Some returners are also looking to try

Reconnecting with your professional identity is really important. Remember who you are and what your key strengths and skills are. This then allows you to build your confidence but also articulate to others what your offering is. Starting with this work on your professional self is therefore key and once you have clarity about this, you will hopefully start to see a path forward.

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

I have a 19 year old, a soon to be 17 year old and a 12 year old so life as a mum is still busy but great fun. Outside of work, I’m probably therefore doing something with (or for) my children and I can mostly be found on the side of a rugby, football or hockey pitch. When I’m taking time for me, I love coffees catching up with friends, running, skiing or walking in the hills with my husband and much loved dog Chip!

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Our flagship Women Returners ‘Back to Your Future’ Conference is just around the corner, and we are excited! We know that the Conference can make a huge difference in changing the way you feel about your return to work and can give you all the practical tools and tips you need to get there.

Most importantly, we want you to ensure you get what you need so that you feel excited and ready to take your next steps in a successful return to work. So, in this article we share our thoughts with you on what to expect, what you will gain from attending and our top tips on setting you up for success, so that you can confidently kick start, or accelerate, your return to work after a long career break.

It has been really brilliant. I have been looking so hard for this kind of support 2023 Attendee

Feature CONFERENCE 2024

What can I expect from the Conference?

The Conference is an inspiring and informative two days for you to join in virtually and enjoy. It’s actionpacked with panels, speakers, support workshops and many opportunities to connect with employers and other returners! Get ready to actively participate to get the most out of the event. Look ahead at the agenda and plan your day. You’ll want to be ready to soak up all the advice, tools and connections you need to get back to a rewarding and fulfilling career.

You also have the option to register to attend our follow-on in-person networking event in Central London on 7 May – registration is on a first come first served basis and we’re currently full but do join our waitlist as spaces can become available nearer the time.

What will I gain from attending?

You’ll gain advice and information from a wide range of Return-to-Work Expert Workshops: Find your Career Compass, Boost your Professional Confidence, Refine your Professional Intro, Take the Fear out of Networking, Sharpen your return-to-work CV and Enhance your LinkedIn Profile.

The opportunity to meet other like-minded women returners through 1:1 video conversations and in sector-based small group video chat rooms.

Feel inspired by the stories of a Returner Panel of women who have successfully returned to work in a variety of different fields, hosted by Jane Garvey, broadcaster and journalist. Two of this year’s panellists were in our audience last year and they reflect on their success over the last year.

Hear from Maria Caulfield MP, Minister for Women on why the Government supports returners.

Learn more about return to work opportunities and organisations via Employers Live sessions with 6 leading Returner Employers EDF, FDM Group, J.P. Morgan, Moody’s, St. James’s Place and Workday.

Enjoy the opportunity to meet employers in small-group video chat rooms for informal conversations and Q&A. Understand more about what returner employers are looking for in our Employer Panel.

Benefit from the experience and insight of our coaching team by asking your questions live to the Career Returners coaches.

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1 Set yourself a goal

5 Prioritise

What’s your main reason for attending?

What do you want to get out of the Conference? Set yourselves some objectives to achieve over the two days e.g. registering your details with some key returner employers, connecting with other returners or making notes to improve your CV and LinkedIn profile.

Conference days are not the days to multi-task. Make this your priority so you don’t get distracted and can maximise the opportunities offered.

2 Become familiar with the software in advance We will send out details of Hopin – the fantastic online Conference platform that we use – in advance so you have a chance to download it and set up your profile on it. You can also explore how you can use the different areas so you’re ready to go on the day.

3 Have a back-up plan for tech issues

With so much to look forward to do you stay focused and get the from the Conference?

Ideally you want to follow the Conference on a desktop or laptop. But if yours sometimes has issues, have another computer, a tablet or a smart phone at the ready so you don’t miss out.

4 Make a plan Become familiar with the agenda and identify which sessions you really want to attend. Where you have a choice of sessions, consider which one is going to be most relevant for your goals. Create your plan for attending and block out the time in your diary.

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6 Be prepared – do your research Research employers so that you can prioritise which employers you’ll visit in their booths and chat to in session rooms. Prepare your list of meaningful questions that demonstrates your research – don’t ask questions that you can easily find the answers to on their website.

Feature CONFERENCE 2024 7 Get your friends to attend too People often invite a friend for in-person events, but don’t think about it for virtual events. You can even get together on the day so you can sit in different sessions and swap feedback and ideas after.

9 Note taking Have a pen and notepad ready to reflect on workshop exercises and panels and jot down notes. Set up one page for points that really resonate that you can reflect on later. One way to do this is to think ‘what is my key takeaway’, ‘what does this mean for me’, and ‘what am I going to do with this information’? Set up a second page for contact details or those you would like to connect with or follow. Don’t get distracted taking lengthy notes though – you’ll have the recordings of all workshops and panels for 30 days after the Conference to continue your reflections.

10 Take breaks! and benefit from, how maximum experience

8 Connect Make the most of the opportunity to connect with other returners to build your peer support group. Spend time connecting 1-1 with others as well as meeting returners in the session rooms.

Connect with people you meet over the two days on LinkedIn so you can continue to support each other.

We will be giving you the opportunity for breaks throughout the day. Do ensure you get up and move, get something to eat and drink and rest your eyes from screen time.

This will prepare you to come back to your next session re-energised and re-focussed.

Our flagship Back to Your Future Conference on 1 and 2 May 2024 is a fully interactive online event packed with the advice, inspiration, tools and connections you need to get you back to a rewarding role.

To book your ticket, click here

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Advice

ASK THE COACHES

Our coaching team is on hand to answer your questions!

I’ve been on a career break for 10 years. What tips do you have on updating and refreshing my skills?

Re-entering the workforce after a significant break can be a challenge, but refreshing and updating your skills is a great step toward a successful transition. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Identify the Skills Gap: Begin by researching job descriptions in your field to identify the skills currently in demand.

Compare these to your existing skill set to determine where you might need updates or improvements.

Take Advantage of Online Courses: There are numerous online platforms offering courses in almost every field imaginable, from technical skills to soft skills. Websites like Coursera, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, and edX offer a broad range of courses taught by industry professionals and often provide certificates upon completion. If you’re looking to upskill in tech, do check out these free online courses at our Cisco Tech Academy that will help equip you with real job ready skills: https://careerreturners.com/returners/cisco-networking-academy-courses/

Attend Workshops and Webinars: Many professional organisations and industry groups host workshops and webinars that can help you stay abreast of the latest trends and technologies in your field. These can also be great networking opportunities.

Volunteer or Freelance: Engaging in volunteer work or freelance projects can be an excellent way to gain hands-on experience, especially in areas where you might want to build or demonstrate your skills. It's also a way to fill gaps in your resume with relevant experience.

Networking: Connect with professionals in your field through social media platforms like LinkedIn or join professional groups and associations. Networking can provide insights into industry trends, advice on skills development, and even job opportunities.

Stay Informed: Subscribe to industry newsletters, follow relevant blogs, and join professional social media groups to keep up with news, advancements, and discussions in your field.

Updating and refreshing your skills is a journey of continuous learning and improvement. By taking proactive steps and leveraging available resources, you can make a successful return to the workforce.

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Webinars & Events 29 April

Return, restart or pivot into tech BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, London FREE, 16:00 - 19:30 BST Julianne, our CEO, is talking at this in-person event in London for those looking to return to or restart their careers in Tech.

Register

1-2 May

Women Returners Annual Back to Your Future Conference 2024 Online London Networking Event 7 May (waitlist) 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.

Online, 1-2 May 2024

Ticket sales close at midnight on 28 April.

Book

7 May

Coding Black Females Return to Tech Bootcamp FREE Online Training (potential roles based in London) Starts 7 May (30 weeks) Are you ready to take a significant step forward in your tech career? Coding Black Females is thrilled to announce the upcoming Return to Tech Bootcamp in partnership with BAE Systems Digital Intelligence. This opportunity is specifically tailored for Black women and non-binary individuals with previous coding experience who are eager to re-enter the tech field.

What to Expect: Leadership Development: Cultivate your skills in leading tech projects and teams.

DevOps Proficiency: Gain in-depth knowledge in continuous integration and continuous deployment to boost your efficiency.

AWS Certification: Prepare for AWS certifications to excel in cloud computing.

Hands-On Project: Build a full-stack application from the ground up.

Apply

Apply Now! Spots are filling quickly. Visit the Coding Black Females website to learn more and apply today.

TBC

COMING SOON: Career Returners Webinar Series 2024: Returning to Work in the UK

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