One of the biggest challenges faced by women in their careers is the ability to make a comeback after a break. While taking a career break or a gap year may be necessary for personal reasons, it is not the end of one’s professional life. However, women who want to make a comeback often find that they are not supported by corporations, and in fact, may face stigmatization for taking a break.
A LinkedIn report found that 77% of working women in India were stigmatized for taking a career break. This stigmatization only adds to the existing challenges that women face when attempting to restart their careers. During and post-pandemic, many women quit their jobs due to multiple reasons. According to a report by businessinsider.in, about 58% of working women in India quit their jobs because of home and family responsibilities. While this is a major reason, it is not the only one. The report also shows that 27% of employees credit lack of recognition from management as the cause of women employees quitting. There are other concerns too, such as lack of support from family, increased domestic load, burnout, lack of sufficient salary and policies, among others.
Despite these challenges and setbacks, motivated female professionals are more than eager to bounce back into their careers. Indeed, a survey found that 58% of the women workforce are already in the process of joining back to their respective professional roles. However, as women carry more than one responsibility, it might take contributions from society to make it more promising and easier for them to get back to work.
Women who are attempting to restart their careers after a break may feel like they are crossing a long bridge, but it is important to remember that they are not alone. Thousands of people are restarting, returning, and switching their jobs and career options irrespective of their age and gender.
There are a few tips that women can use to resume their careers after a break. Firstly, it is important to get out of one’s comfort zone, especially when it comes to their career. If you don’t take risks, then you won’t get a reward. Being honest about the reason why one took a career break is also important. Women should not be apologetic about their break, but rather own it and explain how they made the gap productive. Networking is also crucial when restarting one’s career. Connecting with people from one’s industry with similar interests can help speed up the job search.
In addition to the steps that women can take, companies and recruiters can do many things to make it easier for women to restart their careers. Reducing the barrier to entry and practicing gender diversity are both crucial. Workplace flexibility is also important, as it can help women balance their work and personal lives. Offering options like full-time, part-time, and work from home can help women feel more supported and valued.
It is also important for companies to offer training and development opportunities, as these can help women develop the skills they need to advance their careers. Finally, it is crucial for companies to offer mentorship and support programs to help women feel more confident and supported as they restart their careers. In conclusion, restarting one’s career after a break may be challenging, but it is not impossible. By taking the steps outlined above and by working with companies and recruiters to make the process easier, women can successfully restart their careers and achieve their professional goals.
