Useful Guidelines For Returning To Work During A Recession
It is not the smartest idea to take a career break in the middle of a recession if you can help it, but sometimes we are forced to do this and certainly must if we are expecting a new arrival. Household budgets are difficult to balance at the best of times and the thought of being a full-time mum can be attractive, but hardly realistic. Whenever we’re ready to get back into the job market we need to look for ways to catch up economically.
With unemployment rates so high, the labour market can seem to be an even more daunting proposition than usual. This is not the time to falter though and it is important to prepare your negotiation skills and boost your self-confidence, ready for battle. Sit down and look at your financial position carefully, computing your needs for the months and years ahead of you. While you must always be reasonable, cut out anything that you don’t really need. Be very clear in your own mind about your financial requirements, what you absolutely need as a minimum and what is ideal.
You may well have been perfectly happy with your career before you took the break, but you should now evaluate exactly where you are, whether you want to go back into that arena or explore something completely fresh. Is this the time to consider setting up your own business, for example? Does your financial analysis tell you that you can expect to have fair returns from self-employment, while still making ends meet and if so you may be presented with an exciting and flexible concept for your new life. You are being faced with some significant and potentially very far-reaching decisions and you might want to consider professional coaching at this time. Thankfully, coaching for women in your situation can definitely help you to determine what to do.
Always be very positive and never negative. Determine what your strengths are, write them down on a piece of paper and keep them next to you at all times. Reinforce your psyche and project yourself in all your conversations, phone calls and e-mails.
When looking at a particular position, always consider jobs that may be beneath, but would naturally form part of a career progression in this field. In this case you may well be over-qualified, but it is a stepping stone closer to where you want to go and if you over-deliver at what you are doing you will become eligible and soon achieve the position that you really want.
This can be a tough hiring environment but those who are prepared to go the extra distance and really stand out from the rest, will succeed over the sad majority who cannot or do not. Set your mindset for success and you will get there.
Call on all the inner strength that you know you have as you will certainly need it. We cannot help but hear all the negative news about the economy and jobs on a daily basis and might be inclined to believe that our task is monumental, a hill too steep to climb. However, remember to take this journey one step at a time and always be 100% sure about your ability and chances of getting a position before you pick up that phone or type that e-mail. A useful tip — take a deep breath and even stand up when you make a phone call. A slumping posture, or a sagging mindset will not help. Remember to smile as you talk as well!
These days, online life coaching can provide you with the boost you require when you need it, especially in those periods of negativity. You can definitely do this!
Amanda Alexander is Director of Coaching Mums and a highly acclaimed ICF-accredited coach who delivers professional coaching programmes to working mums who yearn for success, balance and fulfilment. Are you a juggling mom? Download our free eBook for working moms that will give you 5 simple and instant ways to balance your life right now!