How to Find Your Voice ... And Use it

My latest Newsletter (bad title since it's more of an irreverent, opinion-led ditty on the week's goings on) was on the subject of Truth, Trust and "Finding your Voice".

The very day I sent it out, I received an email into the Reignite Academy website from someone called Michael Simpson. Michael's email explained that he'd taken a break from his career to care for his children, had found a role during the pandemic working from home but now that his kids were off to university felt isolated and longing to return to his previous career as a lawyer.

I could totally empathise, I receive several emails just like this one, though usually from the mother rather than the father of said children.

At the bottom, the email was signed off "Patricia Simpson".

Ah.

Gotcha.

It's not unusual for women to "lose their voices" when they take on the primary caring role and become X's wife, Y's mum, Z's daughter. It's also not unusual for people to set up a family email address, to deal with all the shared admin. I've done it myself.

However, there comes a point where you want to be yourself again and at that point, you need your own voice. You need to re-establish your identity beyond your role in the family, rebuild your professional confidence and assert your own opinions and views.

Here are some practical suggestions about just how to do that:

1. An email address of one's own

As I mentioned before, you'd be surprised how often I receive an email from someone called [email protected] or richard&[email protected]. Be yourself. Not only is everyone else taken, no-one is going to be employing you and your partner as a unit.

2. Get a Professional Headshot

You're going to need this for your new look social media presence (see below). It cannot be taken on holiday/at a wedding/wearing a hat or sunglasses/with another person (see above). You don't need a professional photographer, just someone under the age of 23 with a smartphone.

3. Set up your own Zoom and Teams account

Again, you'd be surprised how often I join a Zoom call with a candidate called "Olly" when I'm expecting Katherine to be on the call. I totally understand that Olly may have been using the family computer for his latest online lesson but lockdown was so 2022 and whilst I'm totally sympathetic it's not the first impression you want to leave with an employer.

4. Create your Brand Profile

Complete this sentence "I'm Lisa, I .............." in a way that is interesting, engaging and memorable. Try to include something that describes your skills, knowledge, experience and interests - what you're passionate about.

Do NOT include the phrase "used to be" and refrain from telling the audience how many children you have, the details of your complicated childcare arrangements and how many hours a week you want to work.

5. Go Google yourself

Go onto a computer not owned by you or a family member and put your name in the search bar. What comes up? This is your digital presence. Like it or not, we live in a digital presence. When you apply for a job, a recruiter or hiring manager will, at some point, look you up on LinkedIn (we'll get to that) or Google you. This might be work in progress from here on in but it's work you can't afford to ignore.

6. Create a LinkedIn profile

Like it or not, LinkedIn is THE social media platform for business. It's where all the jobs are, it's where recruiters and employers hang out. If you don't know where to start, check out the?Reignite Academy?resources & insights pages for training videos and articles on how to use LinkedIn to build your brand and for job searching. Or see the LinkedIn chapter of?She's Back: Your Guide to Returning to Work?(it does what it says on the tin and full disclosure I will earn about 50p for any copy sold).

7. Commit to 3 x 5

You can't just "be" on LinkedIn, you have to be active and being active with the right things will open up opportunities and help make you more employable. Each week do these three things

1. Reconnect with 5 people you used to work with/for or know through your work

1. Follow 5 people whose work/profile/writing interests you. This means their posts will feature in your feed. Read them.

1. Engage with content 5 times a week minimum. This means liking someone else's post, or sharing something you've seen or read, or perhaps making a comment on something you've read.

8. The Complicated Childcare Arrangements

I know, I'm not saying they don't exist (for some people at any rate) but if you're going to re-enter the workplace you need to have figured out how they are sorted before you go for an interview. Otherwise, the worry about this could impact how well you perform at said interview. Most children have more than one parent so if the other half of the equation hasn't had the joy of being involved thus far, now is the time to offer them the opportunity.

9. Buy yourself a new outfit

Have a haircut, go and get a free make over at one of those beauty counters, buy a new outfit that makes you feel totally fabulous, I guarantee that this will put a spring in your step. I'm not going to suggest brands because everyone is different but go for something that makes you feel comfortable, confident and which will not be out of fashion in four months time.

We have the chance to turn the pages over

We can write what we want to write. Sing along and then get to work

For those who are interested, you can sign up to my newsletter here - as I said, it's irreverent and opinion filled, although there is the odd bit of news.

If you're a lawyer or involved in the law, for something a little more relevant you can follow the Reignite Academy on LinkedIn.

Finally, if you're in the market for a new job, check out our vacancies or send in your CV and we'll organise a chat via our Reignite Academy website.