and it isn't just working mums who do so to care for their kids.
Woon told CNA Women that in trying to find a job after such an extended break, the “strongest emotions” she felt were fear and anxiety.“I have lost touch. There are younger girls who are smarter than me. I look bad. I cannot do it. What would they think of me?” she recounted. Not wanting to give up, she started her own private counselling practice in 2016, and published her first book titled Bleeding Hearts last year, which looks at self-harm as a coping behaviour.
“For instance, they might be passed over for promotions or their bosses might assume that they are not up for a bigger job. She managed to find a job right away, as an occupational therapist at a slimming centre but after a couple of months, realised that she wanted to help these women with the psychological issues that came with weight loss, which included emotional eating.This led to her opening her own slimming centre with her husband in the same year.leaving them and their three young children “penniless”.
It's not uncommon for employers to doubt a woman's capabilities in performing their jobs after returning from maternity leave. You will also need to adjust the expectations of your boss and co-workers. For example, motherhood may rob you of the time needed to socialise with your colleagues outside of work.And working late nights may no longer be an option, Torrey added.
Consider part-time work to build your confidence. “Short-term assignments can often provide an excellent foot in to help you assimilate into the workforce, establishing a network and building connections,” said Ng of Ansa Search.Women need to keep in mind that in returning from a career break, it’s a two-way relationship,” said Ho of Half The Sky. “You need to focus on not only what a company can do for you, but what you can do for yourself to grow and develop your career.
For instance, if you have taken a break to settle some personal matters, focus on your kids or accompany your husband for his work assignments overseas – just share that that was the case, advised Soh. “Working mums are some of the most highly effective and productive individuals I’ve seen as they have to multi-task within the time that they have,” added Soh of Robert Walters Singapore.
“Some returning women settle for less than satisfactory pay packages, in exchange for other competing factors – such as the workplace’s proximity to their homes, flexible hours and/or something that’s not too taxing,” she added.
More so in Asian markets. Taking a career break is not seen as an option. At 35 if anyone wants to rejoin the workforce as a fresher with 3-4 years work ex, they are ignored like plague. One must be really lucky to get the break back into career.