Women, get back to work!

Welcome, to the October edition of “Women get back to work”

My focus on helping women (actually useful for all) make that transition back into the workplace and help them find their professional identity again to get their workplace confidence mojo back.

I’m an International business leader, career coach, business mentor and a mother committed to supporting women navigate and progress in the tricky workplace using the reality of today.

Last edition, we homed in on the interview follow up in the good and not so good situation. But today, you have just got that call from the recruiter. They want you and the job is yours! Initial reaction is shock, happiness, excitement even tears.

The salary and package they are offering sounds good in the moment.

Most people at this stage will accept verbally in anticipation of the written contract.

I say, compose yourself.

Give yourself time to review the offer and your situation at home. It's a big decision and will mean change for you and your loved ones.

It's time to negotiate.

Many people are not comfortable asking for more money or benefits once their job search has ended but it's important to realise that most employers will expect some sort of negotiation.

It shows a savvy negotiator who hopefully has done their homework and knows what they want. Beware if you come in at a ridiculous negotiation, you may have to wave bye-bye.

There is always a runner up who they have not contacted yet, as they are eagerly awaiting your decision first.

If you don’t ask, you won’t get!

Salary increase is common and expected at negotiation, as is a car/travel allowance which can add to your salary.

If salary is at a stall, get creative and think wider. How about:

• Funding for your professional subscriptions
• Development budget for a certification
• Work an extra day from home to cut travel costs
• Fund internet costs if working from home or in a hybrid role
• Extra vacation days
• Increase in the bonus offered
• Flexible working?

These are all things I had wished I had negotiated, and it is only throughout my career, I have been witness to these as an employee, HR leader and as a team manager.

Information is King or Queen!

Your negotiation must have sensible reasoning behind it. You need to enter a salary negotiation as informed as possible.

Information is your strongest ally.?

• Do your research on similar roles in similar industries and similar sized companies
• Focus in on the jobs that are more in demand and identify the skills more in demand
• Focus in on the projects/skills/technical skills/strengths that you have that will be required for the role.
• Determine if changes at home will mean that you will have to incur more childcare costs, travel costs or other, and have that in your back-pocket.

Put a case forward based on your findings.

Don’t get disheartened if they cannot meet your request. They just may not have the budget to shift, but you should ask them to consider an increase after you have successfully completed your probationary period.

Avoid - Avoid - Avoid

Always keep your tone positive whilst negotiating. It is easy to get anxious.?

Don’t invent a competing job offer to get an out of the norm increase. It could just back-fire on you. Honesty is the best policy

Don’t say, you need more money now, as your circumstances have changed. You would have given them a range of salary expectations initially.

Don’t drag out the salary negotiation – Be prompt in your response back to the employer if they come back with an update. It may not be the total you asked for, and they be meeting you in the middle.

Don’t start your new role with tension and bad feeling.

Get everything in writing post negotiation, and don’t rest easy until that Contract is signed.

Now try and relax.

You’ve done the negotiation. Now, your mind goes into over-drive. Those fears, and niggles come into play.

• How will I COPE?
• I have not worked for so long – I am out of practice!
• How will my children cope with me going back?
• Will they eat, cry, be clean?
• Who will do the housework and laundry whilst I am working?

The fear of losing control is common. These are all normal feelings.

You need to address these concerns. Define and enlist people who will help you.

Don’t be scared to ask for help!

Put a plan in place designed to support you so that you can excel in your new role.

We’ll address that in the next edition as this has been a common area that my clients struggle with.

My biggest fear was having to see my darling son scream as I left the nursery. (Isn't he adorable?) My heart was breaking, and I told myself I was a bad mother. I drove to work anxious and tearful.

I always called only to be told he was settled, and sitting in the nursery manager’s office who had taken quite a liking to him and vice-versa.

And then it became easier, picking my son up, watching from afar whilst he played and munched on fruit with the other children. ?

And when he decided he would prefer to play than come home with me, I finally was able to relax. It was great for his development as well!

I tell all mothers and fathers it gets better. We all go through it. Be patient.

It’s part of the life of the working parent who wants a career. It goes with the territory! It's how we handle it that matters.

I have 2 available Career Coaching slots in NOVEMBER.

We’ll have a conversation on where you are in your career, and your goals.

I’ll create a personalised plan for you whether you are returning to work, navigating the workplace or wanting to step up into leadership. I use my career, leadership experience and Coaching expertise to support you.

Just reach out for a conversation to see how I can help and support – It’s free to chat.

Reach out: [email protected] or DM me on LinkedIn

Happy Halloween everyone!