Navigating Career Gap Challenges

Women often find themselves having to choose between their career and personal life and are advised to sacrifice a lot in order to balance both. While in the past women had no choice but to prioritize their personal life, today many strive for balance.

However, many women still struggle to find the courage and direction to pursue their professional goals. While it is relatively easy to return to work after a 3-6 month break, this may not be an option for everyone, especially for those who experience career gaps due to maternity leave, marriage, caring for family, or a lack of support systems.

If you’re looking to re-enter the workforce after a break, here are some tips to help make the transition smoother and more enjoyable.

DETERMINE, DETERMINE, DETERMINE
Only a determined mind can go for reentry to their professional life all again. A doubtful mind will make this entry a mirage. So before taking a decision to restart your career, make sure you are ready for it, and keep in mind that you will definitely face rejections in the beginning.

READ AND WRITE

You may wonder about the title. Once you take the decision to break the gap, the next step is to plan and write down your plans, objectives, and goals. This will help you to validate the decision of career reentry. The major benefit of writing down your life goals is that it will poke you if you decide to quit again. Try it! And read articles on how to restart the career and real-life experiences of people who made it work.

RE-SKILLING

Re-skilling is the best strategy to compete and survive in the fast-moving job market. Companies always prefer those who are always on track. Many apps and websites offer n number of courses to brush up and re-skilling your talents. Udemy, Unacademy, LinkedIn, and Google garage are a few prominent leaders in this area. One can use effectively these skilling partners without much investment.

Apart from these sites, many institutions offer re-skilling short-term courses along with placement assistance. According to your domain of expertise, time, desire, and financial means, you can choose the best-suited method.

CONNECT TO THE PROFESSIONAL NETWORK
Establishing a strong industry connection is crucial, and LinkedIn is the optimal platform for achieving this. To make a successful re-entry, updating your LinkedIn profile and creating a strong CV is essential. It’s important to review job roles and ensure your skill set is up to date. Connecting with HR and senior employees is also beneficial, as this networking can increase visibility for your job application.

KEEP UP A POSITIVE ATTITUDE

Not every company welcomes women with career gaps, as they may see it as a waste of investment or believe that a woman’s competitiveness weakens over time due to prioritizing family. Changing such mindsets takes time, and it’s important to cultivate a positive attitude. Rejection is inevitable, but it’s crucial to remain patient and persistent in the pursuit of your goals. To overcome career gaps, you need to challenge your own mindset. Remember that seeking help is not a sign of weakness, and there are many people out there willing to support you in restarting your career. Stepping out of your comfort zone may feel daunting, but a beautiful sky awaits you, full of opportunities and miracles. Allow your determination, perseverance, passion, and courage to lead you to a new beginning.

Author Vandana is a knowledgeable academic and trainer with a focus on management, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Her areas of expertise include the jewelry industry and tourism.