Career Advice

Returning to the workforce after a long absence can be a daunting task for women, but with the right approach and support, it is possible to successfully re-enter the job market and resume a fulfilling career path. 

Find the Right Opportunity 

One important factor to consider when returning to the job market is finding the perfect opportunity that aligns with your skills and experience. This may require taking a step back to reassess your strengths and determining the type of work that you excel in. if it has been a long time since you last worked, you may want to brush up on your skills, technical or otherwise. Youtube is a great resource for professionals trying to return to the workplace. LinkedIn, google and coursera also have some free certifiable courses that can be completed in a short period of time. These courses allow you to brush up on industry and technical advancements that may have happened in your domain during your absence and give you a competitive advantage as you return to the workplace. 

Network

In order to  find the best job opportunities, it’s beneficial to network. A good option is to reach out to friends, family, and professional contacts and let them know that you are looking for work. Joining professional organizations and attending industry events to make new connections and learn about new job openings is also a really good idea.

 Another good way to network is to take advantage of online professional platforms to expand your network and connect with industry professionals, don’t be afraid to connect with old colleagues, managers or clients and to include the badge that indicates that you are available for work to your profile on platforms that have that option like Linkedin. 

Consider alternative job searching

Consider alternative job searching platforms, such as professional social networks and recruiter specific websites such as this one. The careers pages of the companies you are interested in are also a really great place to look. Niche websites like this can offer a wealth of opportunities that are not found on the mainstream or generic job boards like Go Zambia Jobs. You can also consider registering with a recruiting agency or professional headhunters like Talenthouse, CV People Africa or shortlist, who can help you find opportunities that fit your profile and qualifications.

Remember that you Bring Value 

As you begin your job search, it’s important to consider the value you can bring to a company or organization. Oftentimes, women who have taken a long break from the workforce may feel like they have a lot of catching up to do, but remember that you bring unique experiences, skills, and perspectives to the table. Emphasize your transferable skills and how they can benefit the company, focus on your achievements and accomplishments and how they align with the company’s goals.

Consider Volunteering or Interning

Another effective strategy is to volunteer or intern as a way to ease back into the workforce. This can help you build new skills, make connections, and gain valuable experience in your field. Not only will this help you to build your confidence, but it will also serve as a stepping stone to a full-time position.

Work Life Balance 

It’s also important to consider what type of work-life balance you are looking for, and ensure that it is compatible with your other life responsibilities. For many women, flexible working arrangements, such as part-time or remote work, are a necessity to be able to successfully manage both work and family responsibilities. Don’t be afraid to negotiate flexible working arrangements during the job interview, as many companies are open to offering them as part of the package.

Another important aspect to consider is the company culture and workplace atmosphere. Researching the company culture and values, looking at employee reviews and social media presence can give you a sense of the type of work environment you can expect. A positive and inclusive culture can make all the difference in feeling fulfilled and satisfied with your job.It’s crucial to stay informed about the current job market and identify companies and organizations that prioritize diversity and inclusivity, particularly for women. For example, companies like Google and The Coca-Cola Company have implemented initiatives to increase representation and advancement opportunities for women and minorities in the workplace.

The tech giant Microsoft which has a program called the “Diversity and Inclusion Program” which is designed to create a more inclusive culture and drive diversity in the workforce. Companies like Netflix and Google have also been praised for their efforts in creating a more inclusive workplace. Wherever you are in the world, there are companies that are looking to be inclusive and to increase diversity as they hire. By keeping these factors in mind and actively seeking out companies that value diversity and inclusivity, you set yourself up for success in your career as a woman returning to the workplace .

Cultural Context

Lastly, it is important to take into account the cultural context of the workplace. Different countries and markets have diverse cultural backgrounds, so it’s essential to understand how different cultures view things such as punctuality, communication style, and hierarchies within the workplace. This will help you tailor your approach and avoid any potential cultural misunderstandings, and increase your chances of making a great first impression.

As you prepare for interviews and job applications, it’s important to keep in mind that returning to work after a long absence can take you outside your comfort zone and be challenging. It is important to be patient and persistent. Seek out support and advice from friends, family, and professionals, and be prepared to face some challenges along the way. Remember, taking the time to invest in yourself and your career is a form of self-care. Take a break when you need it, and celebrate your small wins (a call back, an interview call, a good recommendation) along the way. With a solid plan and the right attitude (A go getter one!), you can successfully navigate returning to the workplace.

“A few things to know if you’re considering freelancing as a career path.”

2017 was the year I officially left formal employment. It was the last year I unsubscribed to a 9-5 in pursuit of something less “rigid.” It was not automatically known to me what it was that I wanted to do or what I hoped to achieve after leaving stable employment, but it was the beginning of my soul-searching journey, which paid off in 2018, when I realized I wanted to get back into writing, something I did a lot of in my teens as a hobby, never as a lucrative venture or career path.

Without any specificity of what writing It was that I was trying to get into, I found myself creating editorial content. I didn’t exactly have the know-how on where or how I was going to find work, so I went with the most accessible option at my disposal: blogging. I started a blog. At first, it was just friends and family as my audience, but the more I invested my time into the blog, the larger my audience grew; and afforded me opportunities to ghostwrite for individuals until I landed my first few gigs writing pieces for newspapers and magazines,

which got me my first paycheck as an entrepreneur.

There’s nothing more satisfying than your first pay cheque as a freelancer. It was the

most reaffirming feeling, like, “This is it! Maybe I’m not hopeless…this can actually work.” So I decided to be even more serious about it, but learning how to navigate the freelance space was exactly that: a learning curve. Nobody ever starts out being a pro at anything. But by investing in your craft, remaining disciplined, teachable, and open to failure and criticism, you get better at whatever is that you do. Some things you’ll learn beforehand, and a lot more things you’ll learn on the go. Growth is a journey that requires you to remain adaptable at all times.

In an age where freelancing and remote work have become commonplace, It’s no surprise to

see more people making the leap into creative entrepreneurship, and working from home, which makes it the perfect time to share some insight into what I learned on my journey to help others who don’t know where to begin.

1. DO THE RESEARCH. 

My first nugget of wisdom (if we can call it that) would be to always do the research. While I remain grateful for the leave (If we can call it that) that I got between leaving my job and figuring out what it was that I wanted to do, It would be disingenuous not to mention how making that transition without a backup plan was not the most prudent thing to do and in today’s current economic climate, that’s not a decision I’d want anyone to jump into

blindly. Therefore, my encouragement for anyone looking to transition from formal employment to freelancing, or from one job to another, would be to do a lot of research while sticking it out in your current position, before making a final decision on your next move.

2018 isn’t so long ago, but even then, finding the right resources to help me transition to a new path was not exactly common. Especially as a freelance writer in Zambia. I’d cite this as a reason I didn’t find my voice as a writer as fast as I wanted to because I didn’t have the

information I needed at my disposal to help me understand the business of writing, as well as the stories I was trying to tell and the best ways to tell them. There just weren’t many mentors or platforms that afforded me access to all the information I needed to make it, which meant I had to wing it a lot of the time; making a lot of mistakes along the way that could have easily been avoided.

“Success is when preparation meets opportunity.” That’s a saying I believe a lot of people are familiar with. It’s a saying that I think rings true. It’s only when you prepare yourself adequately that you can ever really find success at anything, really. Anything less could result in wasted opportunity; making where you get your information or receive your tutelage a very big thing to be mindful of on your journey in whatever professional undertakings you choose to make.

2. COMMUNITY. 

“If you wanna go fast, go alone, if you wanna go far, go together.” I cannot stress the importance of togetherness when it comes to building a career. While the most important aspects will require you as an individual to do the necessary work. They are a lot of

parts that require collaboration – and having a strong community of like-minded individuals to help you out on the journey; this will cash you more cheques than your ego ever will (if you’re egotistical about going it alone, that is.) Remember what I said about remaining teachable?

Being in a space where you can learn from others will not only help you grow much faster, it will also take you much further than if you choose to go it alone. This was something I struggled with at the beginning of my journey: not having accountability, which came as a result of not being a part of a community. And the further I progressed in my career as a writer, the more apparent it became that I needed a group of trustee experts to help

me become better at my craft. It’s at this point that I learned the importance of being surrounded by other writers, avid readers, and most importantly, having an editor. Sure, my writing was decent. But for it to get better, I needed someone who would be able to chew it, spit it out, and put it back together before it could be great. 

At the beginning, I put up a lot of resistance. But the more I opened myself up to remaining teachable, the more I realized the importance of having your work ripped apart by someone who knows what they’re doing. In whatever field you’re in, find yourself the industry’s best to be the voice of reason; cause a lot of the time you’ll think to yourself, “I’ve got it. I’m where I need to be.” But you’ll need someone who’ll say: “not yet.” And

help you grow beyond what you think is your best. Make community and research your biggest allies.

January brings with it a natural audit of where you are right now, and where you thought you would be. This is true for most individuals. One of the areas we are particularly most anxious about is our career. We ask ourselves questions such as “I’m I in the right career?” if not “how do I get back on track?” “I attended so many job interviews last year and never got an offer, what I’m I doing wrong?” or simply make declarations like “I need a new job”, “I need more money” or “It’s time I changed my work environment”. Well, that’s the easy part! Making the actual change would require a more deliberate effort. We live in a world where 80% of jobs do not get advertised, so if you are going to make any career changes this year, you are going to have to be a whole lot smarter and more resourceful than you were before. 

So this now begs the question what can I do differently this year? For starters; Figure out exactly what you want to achieve for your career this year, write it down and start making plans on how you will achieve this. It seems goal setting follows us wherever we go, we cannot run away from it, so, therefore, embrace it. 

Candidates that usually get the job offer are those that have learned to put their best foot forward. One may ask what this means. The Grammarist (this awesome website that I guarantee will help improve your grammar and become smarter) defines the phrase of putting one’s best foot forward as making the best impression one can, or getting off to a good start. In other definitions, it is described as embarking on a journey or task with purpose and gusto! I particularly like this definition as I believe that your journey to becoming the best you can begin with a single step. 

To learn how to put your best foot forward, you are going to have to pay attention to what your strengths are. Knowing what you are good at, what skills you have mastered, and what your qualifications entail will allow you to play them up in any interview or networking opportunity. You will have to learn your weaknesses too. This is in itself a strength as it allows you an opportunity to learn something you did not know before. Your personal development is your responsibility. Attend some classes in areas where you fall short, network A LOT, perfect your elevator speech, and check our website and Facebook page for upcoming training courses ☺ Do something different! 

I will leave you with a quote from a guy called William Shakespeare (you might have heard of him) that goes “Nay, but make haste, the better foot before the other”. So step out there and be great! 

Life sometimes feels like you are in free fall.  

A million questions in your head about everything. Why am I here? What am I doing? Why am I doing it? Who am I?

Who are you?

As simple as it sounds, it’s a question that when many of us are asked start with “ummm…” followed by your job title, degree, marital status, religious affiliations etcetera. 

None of these are bad things but I would hate to describe myself without the use of adjectives,ha!

Who am I?

I once thought about this from this angle, if I was taken out of my body and whatever made me, me was put in a pile amongst other people’s “pile”, would I pick myself out from the rest. Would I identify myself when unpackaged from my body? It is easy to look in a mirror and know that’s me by identifying physical features. When it comes down to the intangible things, who are you?

We wear different hats in life. We are sisters, friends, colleagues, girlfriends, wives, mothers and whatever else, but that does not change who you are or start to define the half of you in your entirety. We function in these roles, act (and react) in them based on characteristics that are already there.

Every trait in us is not without reason. Our good, bad and ugly are tied to past experience and it is important to seek understanding of ourselves at the most basic level. We more easily list the happy, positive things about ourselves, ignoring weaker unflattering ones. Improvements can only be made where we are honest enough to acknowledge more can be done. To do so, we must be open and bold to address the things we chose to ignore but affect us daily but not forget to celebrate and be aware of the good in each of us.