10 top tips for returning to work

Harriet Spicer and Kathy Gale co-founded Working Edge, which runs groups for professional people to develop their effectiveness, success and satisfaction at work. Here are their tips for people returning to work

Do you want to do it?

Providing the financial considerations are not too pressing, your first question may be do I really want to do this? Take some time to tune into yourself.

Do you tense up at the thought of work? Do you grit your teeth or clench your jaw? Or does your heart lift with excitement? If the former, think again. Do you really want to do this now?

What do you want to do?

You may be returning to the company you worked for before you took time out from work, but you don't necessarily have to go back into the same kind of job or even the same field.

This is a significant moment of choice for you, which could have a major impact on your life. Think about what you would really like to do. Have a brainstorm with friends. What are all the options?

Think about your skills . . .

Make a list of your skills, strengths and aptitudes. This will support you to build your confidence in returning to work as well as helping you to decide on the career path that may suit you.

. . . and the ones you may have missed

Being away from work, for whatever reason, is bound to have changed you. For every anxiety about being out of date and 'out of the loop' try to find something to appreciate about the new abilities you have gained, such as 'managing' children, the resourcefulness that can come from ill-health, a wider, balanced perspective on work life all contribute to our effectiveness at work.

Think about work-life balance

How many hours can you do, if, for example, you have a young family? Think realistically about how pressured the job of your dreams may be. Remember what a major choice this could be for you. It's a moment for you to create the life you would like to live.

CVs

Of course, you are likely to need to update your CV. Think about the story that you want to tell about yourself. Find a way to take pride in the way you have lived your life. This may well lead you to a different structure and presentation of your career.

Research

Identify companies you would like to work for, look out for ads and apply for jobs, and write to every employer you think would be good for you, and vice versa. But also . . .

Keep talking

Get the word out that you are looking to get back into work at every possible opportunity. You never know when a seemingly random connection might lead to something, so talk, talk, talk. Take time to discuss your ideas and plans with as many people as possible - friends to clarify your ideas and build your confidence - and potential employers.

Do you have contacts in an area you would like to work? Ask for meetings; invite them for lunch or a drink. Talk about your plans, hopes and dreams. Sometimes this can be much more engaging, persuasive and effective than sending a CV cold.

Support strategies

You may want to think about creating a peer network to discuss and clarify your plans and to support you during the process of implementing them. Or join one, such as Working Edge!

For more information about Working Edge visit www.workingedge.uk.com