In my early career in human relations, I worked hard to help women in business achieve the career progression they wanted and deserved, I made it my aim to aid as many women as possible and I am proud of my achievements and the number of women I guided into management positions.
When I first began my business as a mother of young children, I focussed on coaching other mothers returning to work. I designed a range of methods to help them regain confidence and give them the courage to re-enter the workplace with conviction. Despite my expansion into other areas of coaching, this is still an integral part of my business and something that on a personal level, I feel very strongly about.
Returning to work
For many women returning to work, the most significant area to focus on is building confidence. If you have taken a break from your career, for whatever reason, it is easy to fall into the trap of feeling like you are no longer capable. The best way to overcome this is to focus on your skills. Look at where your strengths lie and what transferrable skills you have gained, even during your career break. Together, we can take a look at what jobs will suit you and your lifestyle needs at this new stage in your life.
It is possible that you will also need to rewrite your CV or at least edit and update it. I can help with this process, as well as offering advice on how to market yourself and perform well in interviews and assessments. Working on these skills will help in both your short-term and long-term goals when returning to work.
Taking control
One area that I feel many women in business could benefit from is networking. In my experience, this is often where women tend to lag behind their male counterparts in the workplace. Whether it is a lack of confidence or a culture that has tended to shame women who are perceived as being too pushy in the past, many women seem reluctant to ask for things they deserve. This can range from promotions to pay increases and anything in between. Understanding corporate cultures today is key for building a successful career and ensuring that you get what you deserve for your skillset and experience.
There are industries where you may still experience barriers to your success. In some cases, however, this can be self imposed. Planned networking and building up connections is one of the most effective ways to progress in the corporate world. This is something that I have worked on with a wide range of women at different stages in their careers and I believe it is a vital part of taking control and putting yourself on the route to success.
Creating balance
One of the hardest things for women returning to work after becoming mothers is that many struggle with finding a balance between their working life and home life. In the UK, the reality is that the majority of childcare responsibilities still fall on mothers, regardless of their careers, and this can put considerable pressure on women.
I have found that the most effective way of dealing with this balancing act is through planning and goal setting. This can help you to cope with the changes in your life schedule, whilst ensuring that you have the space you need to focus on your career. With planning, you can continue to strive for the next career goal and ensure that you do not lose sight of your personal achievements thus far.
I can offer advice for dealing with the emotions that you may experience when you first start working again. Together, we can make a program that balances your career and your family. Thankfully, corporate structures are now changing to make it easier for women to return to work after a career break. In the years since I first started my business, I have seen huge improvements in this regard. However, the motivation to make the most of opportunities must still come from the individual. I can help you to regain your confidence and create a structure that means you can go for what you want and hopefully, have it all. Contact me on alice@alicejonescoaching.co.uk now to find out how I can help you.
