How To Set Yourself Up For Success As A Working Mother

Research shows that women are still vastly underutilised in the corporate world. While some progress is being made worryingly, the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2022, found that women's participation in the workforce is at its lowest level since 2006.

The World Bank cites that gender inequality in lifetime earnings loses the world US$160 trillion in wealth (nearly twice the global GDP). One reason for the gender gap is motherhood and the subsequent challenges women face returning to the workforce or running their own businesses after having children.

By large, organisations are getting better at supporting working mothers, by implementing things like returnship programmes, childcare benefits and flexible working. However, it's not just about asking companies to take responsibility. It's also essential that women know their own worth, so they can proactively create opportunities to give themselves the best chance of success.

If you're a working mother who wants to get back to work or advance to the next stage of your career, there are several steps you can take:

Be Clear About What You're Looking For

Everyone's career evolves as their personal and professional priorities change. Whether you're rejoining a previous company after maternity leave, looking for a new position, or redefining your entrepreneurial goals, decide what you really want and why. Identify your objectives. What do you want to achieve professionally? What kind of work environment are you looking for? Then take a practical look at what you need to make the situation work. It's ok if your career setup looks different from before, as long as it's right for you now.

Communicate Your Needs

Once you know how you want things to look, talk to the people around you, at home and at work. That might be your employer, your peers, any junior staff that you manage, and people you depend on outside of work e.g. your husband, nanny etc. Transparency is crucial. Be honest about logistical commitments and responsibilities, so that everyone knows where they stand. If you need to take lunch an hour later to manage pick-up, let colleagues know. People value honesty and it's better to manage expectations. Whereas, not communicating your needs causes unnecessary stress and resentment all round.

Get Ready To Upskill

An extended career break may mean things have changed in your industry or you have missed out on professional training opportunities. It is important to evaluate your current skillset and understand your strengths and weaknesses, so you get an insight into any gaps you need to fill. If there are things you need to learn, utilise online resources, training programmes, and professional development communities. Also discuss education and training requirements with your employer. If you are looking for a new job, ensure your cover letter and resume are up to date, and practice your interview skills. There are experts who can help in this area.

Find A Mentor

Mentoring is an incredibly valuable way to develop hard and soft skills at any stage of your career. Your organisation may offer structured programmes to connect experienced employees with newcomers. You could look for an informal mentor among people you respect in your personal and professional circle. Or you can hire a specialist individual mentor to focus on specific areas, such as skill development, CV writing, confidence building, personal branding, public speaking, and effective communication.

Create Some Space For Yourself

Navigating your path back to work can be overwhelming, especially if you feel like your professional identity has changed, causing you to question your abilities. Don't make everything about childcare or work; schedule time away from your responsibilities to do something you enjoy. It's absolutely essential to make your wellbeing a priority and find balance, otherwise you will burn out and be unable to do your best at home or in the office.

I know from personal experience that becoming a mother can make women feel disconnected and unsure where they fit into their organisation. After having children, I struggled to find women in a similar situation to share my experiences with. That's why I created NMH to be a one-stop community for professional women to collaborate, acknowledge their worth, and accelerate change. Staying silent about the impact of motherhood on women's careers only creates limitations, and the more we can support those returning to work after a career break, the more individuals, communities and economies can benefit.

— The author is the Founder of NMH