Returning to work after time out can be daunting, but with a little thought and planning, the transition can be made easier.
People take time out from work for various reasons, maternity/paternity leave, adoption leave, health conditions, caring for relatives, travelling and studying, to name a few.
One thing that all people, who are returning to work, have in common, is the loss of confidence that occurs having had that period of time out.
Our relationship with work is a complex one; our self-perception, our work persona, compared to our private persona, where on the spectrum of love and loathe we are with our jobs, how much our job validates us, shapes our identity, is a burden, or acts as an escape from the challenges of homelife, all interplay to create a unique picture for every individual.
Back in 2016, I left the teaching profession after 20 years, working in schools, language institutes and universities. I needed to be at home full time to support my family. I was aware that I wouldn’t return to teaching, that I wanted a new career, and was ready for a change and new experiences.
After a year or so of purely focusing on family, I was able to start to think about engaging in the wider world. I became open to finding some voluntary work as a healthy way of giving my life more balance. Also, I felt this would build my confidence for a future return to paid work.
I applied for the role of voluntary support group coordinator for Adoption UK and together with another adoptive mum, we set about building the Yorkshire Membership group for adoptive families.
Once inside the organisation, I heard about other opportunities and I became a voluntary peer mentor, supporting adoptive parents with their challenging family lives. I studied and gained a mentoring qualification.
As things became more settled at home, I started to look for opportunities for paid work. The skills and confidence I gained through volunteering helped ready me for a return to the paid workforce.
I prepared myself further, engaging in self-care, exercising regularly, doing short daily meditations, building some positive energy.
I sought out careers advice through my local council and I gained a free place on a short course called ‘Experience Counts’ which helped me develop skills regarding CV writing, interview technique, the jobs market, and gaining clarity on my skills and future direction.
Alongside this, I looked at areas in which I needed to upskill, so I enrolled on a computer course run by the local council. The hours were flexible and easily fitted around my other commitments and it was a great way to refresh and develop my IT skills. I gained an ECDL Intermediate level qualification.
Further opportunities arose with Adoption UK and I gained my first paid work as a Parent Partner, coaching and mentoring adoptive parents. This was an incredibly rewarding job enabling parents to employ new strategies to support themselves and their children.
I made it known to my supervisors and managers that I was interested in more work, and opportunities came my way. I became involved with Preparation training for prospective adopters in Yorkshire and Humber and also delivering a 5 week training course for Supporting Adoptive Parents with Parenting, with One Adoption the local authority adoption agency.
I am now a qualified Coach and Mentor having gained an ILM Level 5 qualification in Coaching and Mentoring. I have now taken the leap to set up my own coaching and mentoring business and am delighted to be working with private clients offering a bespoke service.
6 Tips for Returning to Work
· Put self- care at the top of your list. Exercising, eating, and sleeping well, is your foundation and will help create the positive energy you need.
· Build up positive self-talk and attitudes around a return to work. Talk to friends and family about your plans and gain their support and encouragement.
· Develop your knowledge and skills. List your skills and experience and then look at where are the gaps? Take an evening class, improve your computer skills, complete one of the free online bootcamp courses funded by the Government.
· Engage in voluntary work, something that fits with your values and interests. It’s a great way to develop your confidence in the workplace.
· Check out what support is available locally for people returning to work. Visit your Local Authority website – search under skills support and training.
· Map out the practicalities, clarify what you want and need from a job; the sector and roles you are seeking, pay, hours and childcare options.
Are you a parent who is worried about returning to work? Do you feel concerned about how you are going to cope with all your competing demands?
Get in touch with me on 07745 057815 or joyrichardsoncoaching@gmail.com as I support parents as they prepare for the transition back into the workplace.
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