Career Break - An Open Letter

Dear Meera,

I woke up this morning thinking about our conversation, 6 months ago, over a lazy Sunday brunch. Your angst was so real - “Who will hire me? ?I haven’t seen the inside of an office in 8 years. Everyone has moved ahead, and I am left behind. I am just a housewife now.” While we laughed it off then, I haven’t been able to get your comments out of my head.

What saddened me even more was the fact that it wasn’t the first time I’d come across a smart, well-educated, confident woman exhibit insecurity about her employability because she hadn’t been part of the workforce in a few years. It’s story I have heard often and from women across the globe.

I found your comments odd as I reminisced about the time we worked together – you were a rock star, a go getter, a problem solver – the first-person people turned to when they had a tough situation to handle or a new opportunity to grow. I know you are more than capable of dealing with anything anyone would send your way. And yet, you seemed unsure. Of course, things have changed for you. Now a mother of two, you decided to take a career break after your first child was born to dedicate time to their upbringing. Childcare, after all is a full-time job.

My conversation with you, Meera, resonated with the dialogues I have had with so many women over the years. The question it raised in my mind was “who wouldn’t want hire someone as capable as you? Why would you doubt your own skills and your ability to deliver when you have done it so seamlessly in the past?”

I have heard of several reasons for leaving the workforce, for short or long duration of time – childcare, elder care, further studies, pursuit of a passion and so on. There are also those who lose their jobs. Each of these reasons are valid and hold true for the person taking the break. I am sure that each one put in a lot of thought before taking the break and it was the right thing for them to do personally. That said, like all choices, there are consequences and one of the direct consequences is that a personal time off does lead to an impact in your professional journey. ?

The time-off reason that stands out the most is the “new mom” phase. New moms are often swept away in the chaos of it all, and their career takes a back seat. There are so many women who would like to return to the workplace but are caught in the guilt of leaving their little ones at home. For others it is a conscious choice of focusing on their kids.

One of the biggest barriers they face, while deciding to come back, is not technical incapability but the loss of confidence, the drop in self-esteem and the fear that they have missed out on so much while they were away. Meera, your case was no different. You felt that you wouldn’t be able to compete with your peers and that your skills were no longer relevant. I want to assure you that they still are – your core skills will never jade. A quick refresh will bring you back, front and centre.

Another barrier that they face is the perception that their business network has moved on. They think that the workplace has completely changed. They worry about how to return to work after a career break. I want to assure you, Meera, that it is all about taking a deep breath and taking that first step. It would probably take a few weeks to ramp-up but getting into the corporate groove isn’t as daunting as their mind makes it out to be.

Insist on a role that doesn’t put you on the “mommy track”- seek out opportunities that will not only challenge you but will compel you to push the boundaries of your comfort zone. . Find companies willing to take a bet on you – I know that UST and I would love to help integrate you back into the corporate world.

Seek out opportunities that will not only challenge you but will compel you to push the boundaries of your comfort zone.

?At UST, we value the skills you bring to the table and we aim to engineer a better future for all employees. We welcome women who want to start the second innings of their career. In fact, we are working on several programs for women who have taken a career break and now seek to return to the professional career or those individuals who wish to move ahead in their careers. These programs enable women who are inspired and ready to make a mark as they return or look at moving to take up leadership positions in the corporate world.

?So, don’t worry about the biases that will come your way – conscious, unconscious, or unbreakable. If you choose to be courageous enough to take that first step, I promise you that there are many organisations, like ours, who would be willing and glad to give you a break. It isn’t really an insurmountable task ahead. All you need to do are three simple things:

1.?????Dust off your resume and update it. Remind yourself of the skills you bring to the table

2.?????Identify gaps, technical and behavioural, that you feel to need to bridge. Find and enrol for a program that will support you in this journey

3.?????Go for as many interviews as you can, projecting confidence and your own special swag (I will wait for you to let me know when I can set up a call for you to interview with us at UST ??)

?Returning to your old role after a break isn’t as hard as you think. It’s after all, a role that you excelled in, and will continue to do so given the chance.

?Good luck my friend.

?Best,

Kavita

?PS: If you are a ‘Meera’ or know of one, DM me if you would like to explore opportunities with us at UST.