Though I had always thought that I would return to work as soon as my youngest was in kindergarten, I had not anticipated some of the challenges I faced in re-entry. Specifically, I struggled to find a permanent position in financial services. Part of it was down to circumstance: I had lived and worked abroad so my contacts list locally was not as fresh as it could have been. Networking and personal connection is a huge part of getting a new job. However, part of it was also likely down to my perspective.
As I began my search, I had some insecurities: would I find something? Was I still marketable? Would people want to hire me? Would I be able to handle the challenges of the job and my home responsibilities? This was potentially amplified as I am a single parent. I found a job that is extremely easy to manage with my schedule. I was able to reacquaint myself with the MS Office suite and all current apps within the first few days. I had to learn a new skillset as I returned to a new industry, but I had worked on some banking deals in energy and power, so I had the fundamentals. In retrospect it was significantly easier than I expected.
I am now at the point where my contract has been extended a few times and I am ready for my next challenge. I am interviewing for positions in financial services, where my heart is. I believe, in retrospect that I landed the perfect job for me at the perfect time. It allowed for a smooth transition; I am now no longer a returner and my second time around experience is significantly different in a more pleasurable and easier way. I have to wonder if I got the job I did when I did, at least in part, because of the construct of my own beliefs and fears?
For all the women who are job seekers in the market now, fear not! Do not be afraid to dream as big as you want, you can make it happen as long as you believe, and you take action. If you are feeling unsure, you can still succeed by taking a job and then re-evaluating where you want to go from there. Will your re-entry job be a stepping stone to a C-level position? Or will you decide that you are happy with a less challenging but very predictable job. The choice is yours and the best news is that you are always free to change your mind and pivot up or down… Because we’ve got this!
As I move on from my ‘returnship’ into a permanent role, it is significantly easier than my initial return to work campaign. I have hired a coach, who is effective, and I enjoy working with. I told her my goal is to be her easiest, fastest client in getting a new job: our goals are aligned! I share with you my experience and some suggestions that you can also easily implement to make your own job search more effective:
As the new year approaches we reflect on the past year. It seems like only yesterday that we began searching, networking and looking for that one job so we could say “I am back at work!” Some of us have found that “one” job and others are taking advantage of the new gig economy and piecing together work that meets their needs and others still search for the one role that is the best fit for them. Wherever you are in your journey back to work, be sure to take a few moments to congratulate yourself for the networking, conversations, guidance and friendship you have found and shared this year. Without the support of each other back to work can be a long and difficult path. Together we have been able to achieve more than we would have alone. We’ve Got This! #womenhelpingwomen
In speaking with a friend who heads a large team in several separate locations, he mentioned that he was pleased with himself as a manager in how he had handled a certain situation in a project their team was doing and a problem they had to deal with. He said that he was happy with himself that he had specifically found ways to motivate his team members to each do their best despite some very different personality and work styles. He also was very happy that he had managed to delegate without hovering, which is something he has struggled with in the past that we have talked about managing. I congratulated him on his accomplishment; I do feel it takes a certain amount of self-awareness to trust in oneself and the process enough to let go.
Opportunities come from many places. I wasn’t thinking that they would come in a car dealership? I recently got a new car. I waited until the end of the month to get a great deal… or found myself there at the end of the month because my beloved 10year old car had failed inspection? There was a significant wait to meet with the finance office to pay for the car – several hours. While waiting patiently with my two… not as patiently waiting children, I started talking to a fellow car shopper waiting near me. She had two kids around the same ages as my kids and lives in a neighboring town. Our kids started playing together.
Kristin’s Pick
We've Got This 