I had avoided ‘back to work’ type organizations and jobs because I was so (over?) confident in my ability to source opportunities and be such an outstanding candidate on my own that I ‘knew’ I wouldn’t need that help.
Over the months of my job search, more than a few people, in an effort to be ‘helpful’ suggested that I re-train as a teacher (I like my kids, but I wouldn’t say I’m a ‘kid’ person. And you may have read on other posts, I’m… still working on patience), look for a part time job in retail (which might have worked if I didn’t have arthritis and small children who I would have to pay someone to watch – so I’d actually lose money) or a volunteer position (which is actually not a bad foray back into the workforce, except that I had little incremental energy after my actual job search and the whole paying for childcare thing…). As a divorced single parent, I was getting to the point where I wanted to work for my mental health AND for the money. Though I knew that the people meant well, I found these suggestions to be especially disheartening because I knew that if I had my education, experience and credentials but was a man, NOBODY would have even thought of these ideas for me.
At a networking event in honor of International Women’s Day, I met a coach and researcher in thought leadership and coaching on gender issues. Or, more accurately, she presented at an event and I introduced myself to her after the presentation to ask for her advice. At her suggestion and referral to the founder and CEO, I contacted reacHIRE, an organization whose mission is to help educated, successful women re-enter the workforce after a career break to care for children. It seemed ‘new and different’… but reacHIRE was very clear that there was no guarantee of being connected to a live employment opportunity. So, while I was optimistic about my prospects and opportunities, was feeling good and positive about myself and my search, I was not sure what to expect going in to the events. For instance, would the interplay between the participants be… nonexistent? Competitive? Selective? I mean we were all in a certain way ‘competing’ for the jobs that reacHIRE was sourcing, right?
I was selected to participate in an on-site resume writing workshop and then to attend a PowerUP workshop to prepare women for the return to work. I enthusiastically went and participated and gave my best at both of these events. The other participants in the program were amazing – everyone had their own story and their own skillset. The others in the PowerUp cohort spanned many ages, industries and career break lengths. I genuinely liked and connected to each and every member, and I’m… usually a bit reserved or a hard sell. We were asked to complete learning modules individually, were paired in teams for team building and problem solving exercises. The factual content of the training was generally very helpful, the consideration of issues and more intangible support of the training was also useful.
I was most surprised by the engagement of everyone in our cohort. There was a definite willingness to help and engage from each and every woman. Help was sharing contacts and making connections, being a sounding board for ideas or consideration of strategies. As an example, a seasoned marketing professional who taught at the university level wondered if she should attend a ‘social media bootcamp marketing course.’ Help also came in the form of encouragement, sympathy, empathy… which, I didn’t originally think would be particularly valuable for me given my internal drive and individualistic personality type. But it absolutely was!
I had flirted with other ‘back to work after a career break’ websites and services including but not limited to iRelaunch and Après. I had also considered ‘returnship training programs’ including paid ones and conferences outside of my local Boston area market. Many larger companies will take on an entire cohort of returners and run a training program and offer the opportunity to do returnship rotations like an analyst or associate training program would. I was very happy with my choice to partner with the reacHIRE organization in my return. In retrospect, I would say that whatever you have to do to get back ‘on the ladder’ is what you should consider doing. Where and how you re-enter does not have to be where you stay or ultimately end up and help can come in many forms, not just the ones you think.
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