Strategies for Women to Bridge Career Gaps with Confidence and Authenticity

Career gaps are a normal part of a woman’s life, whether planned or unexpected. However, such gaps can lead to feelings of emptiness and anxiety, particularly among those who take a forced break. It is therefore essential to know the reason behind the career gap to gain clarity and peace during this time. Once the reason and plan are clear, it is important to plan for the future simultaneously to come back.

Here are seven strategies that women can consider while making decisions to bridge the career gap strategically from a woman’s perspective.

The first strategy involves self-knowledge, which is key to understanding one’s strengths, needs, and wants. Knowing oneself and finding how to come back after the break with the same passion or exploring something new can help fill the gaps with confidence and authenticity.

The second strategy is to uncover potential skills by upskilling through a hybrid model that offers flexibility to learn at your pace. This will help uncover your potential skills and make you more marketable when you are ready to return to work.

The third strategy involves taking a holistic approach toward life. Visualizing a life that is fulfilling and balanced from all aspects and capitalizing on your learning, experience, and strengths is crucial to bridging the career gap.

The fourth strategy involves reflecting upon life and striking a balance between important and unimportant things. Deciding what is important and what is not is an essential aspect that must be made without being biased or distracted.

The fifth strategy involves utilizing the rich life experience gained during the career break and using it as an asset to guide your comeback.

The sixth strategy involves capitalizing on individual and collective strengths, especially if you have financial strength, by planning something that has a high return value and can add value to others’ lives.

The seventh strategy is to visualize the life you want to lead after the career break. Visualization can help create the life and career of your choice, propelling you to take action with consistency.

Re-reported from the story originally published in Timesascent.