By Shelly Harris, Recruitment & HR Consultant, Howardco 

What are the main challenges for Women returning to work?

There are a number of challenges facing Women who are looking to return to work.  Finding a role, often part time, which is stimulating and rewarding can be a challenge, working out the logistics of keeping everything on track at home and making sure the kids are taken care of, are all things women think about when they beginning their journey to return to work.

How can you make the transition back to work easier?

Studies have found that women who have clear priorities regarding Work Life and Family Life are more content, successful and happy at work and at home. They don’t feel pulled in different directions and feel positive about their contribution and commitment to both work and home life.  In practical terms, this means being clear about the hours you will work and the responsibilities you will take on both at work and at home.

The number 1 priority for women returning to the workforce in a recent US study was Workplace Flexibility.  This flexibility allowed women greater opportunity to achieve work-life balance.

A staggering 44% of women surveyed by The Catalyst Group*, found their toughest challenge at work was finding work-life balance.

What are successful companies doing?

Successful companies understand that Workplace Flexibility is not just for women returning to work.   The millennial generation has been driving the need for flexible work arrangements for some time.  Successful organisations understand that flexible work environments encourage productivity and significantly improve performance.

Practical Tips to get you started

• Get your CV in order.  This can be quite time-consuming.  Ask friends and relatives currently in work to have a look through your CV and give you feedback.  Things may have changed since you last applied for a job.
• Update or create a Linked In profile.  This is another great way to find a new role.
• Let people know you are looking to get back into the workforce and what you are looking for.  Connections are a great way to find roles that may not be advertised.
• Don’t underestimate the time and effort it will take for you and your family to adjust to you returning to work.  Family support makes the world of difference.* Catalyst (a global not for profit organisation whose charter is to help organisations remove barriers and drive change for women in the workplace)

 

Howardco recently interviewed candidates to help a long-standing client fill a position. One of the candidates was a Mother of an 18month old daughter who was starting the process of returning to work. Here are some Pearls of Wisdom from Kylie…

Challenges for Kylie when she first started to think about returning to work:

After 18 months of being her daughters carer 24/7, someone else was going to look after her in Child Care. Once Kylie new that her daughter was happy and well looked after in Child Care, her initial apprehension was no longer an issue. For Kylie, changing her Head Space from Mummy Mode to Work Mode was challenging in the beginning. Both are quite different.

Advice from Kylie.

• Get your partner or support network involved as much as possible. This will help with everyone getting out of the front door in time for work in the mornings and pick-ups on time in the afternoons. Don’t try to do it all yourself.
• Find a job that suits you. Think about flexibility, challenge of the role and commitment required. Kylie has been back at work for nearly a year now and is loving the different parts of her week. She loves her time with her daughter and is really enjoying the variety being at work brings.