Own Your Value

Did you know that as of 2022, 10 million people took themselves out of the workforce for caregiving?? Caregiving is the #1 reason why prime working age people aren't active in the workforce. These are people with degrees, work experience, life skills.

When they're ready to return, they often face bias in the hiring process due to their time away.

However, companies are becoming more open to career breaks! The stigma is fading, flexibility is increasing and Gen Z is shifting the power dynamics.

Looking for a job can be very challenging no matter what - it's easy to feel irrelevant and hopeless. It hits your confidence. You question your value.

Here's some advice:
💪Do not apologize or defend your career gap. Own your story. Demonstrate your growth. If the hiring manager doesn’t get it, that does not impact your value and take that as a sign that is not the right career move for you. In fact, it can be a red flag. You deserve to work in an environment that honors your experience, education and adaptability.

💪Stop comparing yourself. You are not the same person you used to be. AND THAT’S A GOOD THING. It's normal to feel that you are behind the ball when returning to the job market but that mindset is not a healthy place to stay. Do not underestimate what you have to offer.

💪Embrace a growth mindset. For me, going back to grad school was a great way to upskill after my career break. It expanded my mind, my network, and my confidence to give me the momentum I needed.

💪Look for companies that support returners. If you've been thinking about going back to work after a career break but not sure where to start, comment or send me a dm. I'll send you a list of great resources.

💪Finally - AND MOST IMPORTANTLY - surround yourself with people who are engines, not anchors. Make sure you have a mentor, a coach or a group of "advisors" to support you. Be kind to yourself. Know that your value can never be lost.