What The Most Accomplished Women Need In Order To Return To Work

Thinking about relaunching or changing careers? A recent report by LeanIn and McKinsey & Company says women are burned out. One in three are considering leaving the workforce, changing careers or downsizing. Women are rethinking what they want out of work: companies that value them, flexibility and enhanced training. But it’s not easy to make a change. 

A recent LinkedIn poll conducted by EvolveMe, a career growth company for professional women in midlife, asked for the biggest issues keeping from making a change. Here’s what they found:

• One third (32%) of respondents cited confidence and clarity as the biggest barrier
• 46% cited family responsibilities as the biggest barrier
• Less than a fifth (18%) cited opportunity as the biggest barrier

According to the poll, many women give up making a change before they get started. And while family responsibilities are a big issue, lack of confidence is also an obstacle. And, interestingly, this lack of confidence cuts across roles and industries, affecting even the most professionally accomplished women.

With the job market booming and employers scrambling to fill jobs with top talent, opportunities abound. And on the policy front, there is new focus on paid family leave. So, it’s actually a great time to relaunch or change careers. Mindset could be the thing that’s holding many women back.

Why? Women who are confident in their current jobs may remain stuck (even when they’re unhappy) because they doubt their ability to own their value and leverage their skills and experience towards new opportunities.

There’s too much at stake for women’s talent to go untapped as companies draw employees back in with enhanced offerings and in-house training.

Here are five tips to help women feel confident and capitalize on the job market:

1. Vet opportunities for cultural fit. Target companies where women are reminded of their worth.
2. Take action. Confidence is a muscle that develops with age! How to flex it: get out of your comfort zone, take risks and try new things. A growth mindset opens you to new opportunities.
3. Let go of perfectionism. Few applicants check ALL the boxes. Give yourself permission to be good enough. 
4. Your values = your north star. Now is the time to assess your values and use them to guide your next move. When you connect to your beliefs, values and purpose, you can overcome self-doubt. 
5. Don’t be a best kept secret. Do yourself justice — your accomplishments won’t speak for themselves. Talk up your achievements and vision to get recognized. 

If you think about your career as always evolving and changing, you’ll see change as an opportunity rather than something to fear.