We see that more women than men are forced to a break in their career. Women often have to take maternity leave to care for their young children because they have to make many sacrifices for their families and homes and sometimes health. Between all these uncertainties and responsibilities, the professional career gets affected. So, for working women in all industries, returning to the workforce after an extended break is still frowned upon.
Many women who go through this situation guide whom not to give up and believe in their potential. Mostly women in corporate sectors and other sectors take a break from their careers to raise their children. But companies and organizations are often fails to recognize the plight of new parent. According to reports 50% of women in some nations quit their employment after age 30 to focus on parenthood. According to a poll by the job website Indeed, the Covid-19 pandemic in India affected women more than men upon their return after a long break. According to this report, 13 percent of women quit their jobs to raise children, and 20 percent do so for other reasons. But it needs to be changed. Women can successfully re-enter the corporate and professional world with their incredible talents along with their extra-curricular responsibilities. So in this article we will discuss 7 most important things for women who take a career gap and want to rejoin the workforce.
- Wipe the slate again
Try to increase your knowledge by pursuing several professional courses during your extended break. step up your knowledge and boost your energy. At this stage of life, you have to see your life as a third person by coming out of the box that gives you a clear idea about the correct direction. Try to fix your routine with daily exercising and a little bit of reading which help to refresh your mind and thought process. If you want to achieve something extraordinary in your career life, you have to start from scratch by learning new skills, updating your knowledge, and refixing your scattered time again.
- Update your resume
A strong resume has the ability to expand your professional prospects. So, find a way to bolster your resume by adding skill sets that can help you grab recruiters’ attention. Try to be honest while creating your resume. Presenting a true period of experience and a genuine reason for a career break reflects your professional transparency to the interviewer. While designing your resume, you can take the help of online software and websites which assist you in redeveloping a strong resume.
- Rebuild your network
To start from scratch, it is important to reconnect with your immediate team. You can contact advisors, job consultants, and old colleagues who can guide you with the latest knowledge which you are looking for. You might have an opportunity to transition into a new career role if you rebuild your professional network. You can make your own LinkedIn profile and follow others to stay in touch in order to reconnect with former professional colleagues more effectively. We live in a technology age, so you may contact people online more easily. This might enable you to grow your network and position yourself for the first opportunity after a break.
- Try to Learn new things
Most organizations are now technology-based, so it’s pretty good to learn and establish new tech skills to make yourself more capable and relevant. There are several online sources offered by reputed colleges through which you can take a short course to learn demanding skills like coding, digital marketing, and design. Certification in new skills helps you to bridge your career gap nicely. Upskilling after a career break as a woman is quite a difficult task due to the responsibilities of family and home, but online platforms help you to overcome this difficulty also. Keeping up with the latest industry knowledge will demonstrate your commitment to professional development to recruiters.
- Prepare for an Interview
As I already stated, the way industries are changed with a lot of changes. If you are applying for a job after a considerably long break, then you can see that working sectors and most things get changed. So, as you don’t want to appear clueless at the interview, you must be prepared for it. You can research frequent questions in interviews from Youtube videos or by attempting mock interview tests. This aid in brushing up your knowledge and boost your confidence level.
- Scrutinize your work flexibility
Though you started to think about joining the working sector again, it is also important to pay keenful attention to your work flexibility. You can not turn a blind eye to your home and family responsibilities, so before joining at any place, you must consider clear communication about the time adjustments to your employer. Find a secure career that allows you to work from home or part-time to balance your family and work schedules effortlessly. As a woman, you have to play a multitasking role in life, but it is also important to carve out time for your well-being. So, after considering all these possibilities, you can precisely scrutinize your working flexibility options.
- Refresh and be confident
Whether you have been away from your career for a month or a year, be confident and know your abilities. And recognize your limitations because it is advisable that setting a realistic goal increases the possibility of achieving it. Do not consider societal norms that restrict your growth. This is a life that gives you innumerable opportunities at any time, regardless of your age or status. So refresh your life, start again, and move forward with great potential.
