The thought of going back to work after maternity leave or any long period of time away from the workplace can be daunting. Sometimes there is a fear of being left behind, which can dent confidence and makes the idea of returning to work seem intimidating.
However, you can conquer your fear and tackle it head on, and now’s the time to take control and re-evaluate what direction you want your career to head in.
If you’re returning to your old job then maybe it’s time to refresh your skills.
There are many courses that will renew any of your abilities that have gone rusty over your time off, including typing courses, computer courses and other courses that offer work-ready skills that you’ll need to get back into the routine. Re-training can also help with any new technology or systems that have been put into place at work whilst you’ve been away. Not only will this boost your confidence and diminish the fear of returning to work, but your employers will be impressed by your initiative and new abilities and, in terms of promotion, your career future may look brighter.
What’s to say you have to return to the same thing?
At the point you’re deciding what the next step is in terms of work, now is a great time to re-assess and work out whether you might want to go for a complete career change. It could be the perfect time for you to begin that dream job that you’ve always wanted but never had the confidence or opportunity to go for. There are numerous courses and training options around that can open the door to your desired career and now is a great time to take out to research, plan and set yourself some goals. If you think it’s time for a change but you don’t know what career is for you then maybe seek some careers advice to see what you’re best suited for.
Like the idea of being your own boss?
If you’re juggling family life and want to keep things flexible and under your own control, maybe working for yourself is the next move for you. We see many students opting to train so they can work self-employed in roles such as Book-keeping, Event Management, PA and Virtual Assistant (VA). One of the main benefits of running your own business is that you can tailor your career around your needs and schedule. You can choose hours to fit you, meaning your family and social activities can remain unaffected by your career. Furthermore, you can choose where it is you work from; whether it is your own home or a rented office space, whichever suits you and the nature of your business. Running your own business is a great way to build your confidence as you see the rewards of your own hard work come to fruition.
It’s very common for confidence to be a bit low when returning to work. The feeling of being out of touch with the ‘outside world’ can be frightening and off-putting but with a new outlook on your working life, whether it is a refreshed set of skills or a whole new career, your confidence will soar whilst you reach your goals and climb high up your chosen career ladder.
