As the business world continues to evolve, it is becoming increasingly important for companies to embrace diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. This includes considering candidates who may have taken a break from their careers, particularly women.
Despite the numerous advantages women with career breaks bring to the table, including unique skill sets, diverse experiences, and a fresh perspective, many employers still hesitate when they see career breaks on a resume.
And women almost feel apologetic while interviewing and still face significant challenges in re-entering the workforce due to this hesitancy and other preconceived notions.
We will explore the advantages of hiring women with career breaks and provide insights on how to overcome any challenges and make the most of this talented pool of candidates.
Women and Career Breaks
Career breaks refer to periods of time when individuals step away from paid employment to focus on other aspects of their lives. There are many reasons for women to take a career break. Women often take career breaks for a variety of reasons, including having children, caring for elderly relatives, pursuing education or personal development, or other life events.
The societal expectations on women to be primary caregivers is one of the biggest reasons for a career break. These breaks can range from a few months to several years and can have a significant impact on a woman's career progression.
According to recent studies, a large proportion of women take career breaks at some point in their working lives. For example, a report by the Harvard Business Review found that 43% of highly qualified women in the United States leave their jobs for an average of 2.2 years.
Despite their skills, experiences, and motivations, women with career breaks often face significant challenges in re-entering the workforce. These challenges can include discrimination, limited job opportunities, and outdated hiring practices that do not take into account their unique experiences. A study by LinkedIn revealed that 7 in 10 women quit or consider quitting due to the lack of flexibility in the workplace, which might make it harder for them to return back to work, and balance everything they need to.
Additionally, women with career breaks may struggle with confidence and self-doubt, feeling that their time away from the workforce has diminished their skills and value. These challenges can make it difficult for women with career breaks to find meaningful employment and reach their full potential in the workplace.
This highlights the need for Indian employers to be more inclusive and supportive of women with career breaks, recognizing the contributions they can bring to the workplace.
Benefits of Hiring Women with a Career Break
There are various benefits of hiring women with a career break, though it might seem counterintuitive at first.
Unique skill set and diverse experiences
Women with career breaks bring a wealth of diverse experiences to the workplace, having had the opportunity to explore different interests and gain new skills. This could include the ability to manage many different moving parts, managing with limited resources or combining skills from different experiences to make a greater whole. Additionally, women who have taken a career break for caregiving reasons often develop strong organizational and multitasking skills, which can be invaluable in the workplace.
Fresh perspective and creativity
Women with career breaks often bring a fresh perspective to the workplace, having had time away from the traditional office environment to pursue other interests and gain new experiences. This can lead to new and innovative ideas, which can be of great benefit to companies looking to stay ahead of the curve. Additionally, women with career breaks often bring renewed energy and enthusiasm to their work, which can be contagious and help to boost morale among their colleagues.
Higher levels of motivation and commitment
Women who have taken a career break often have a higher level of motivation and commitment to their work, having made a conscious choice to return to the workforce. They often showcase a deep passion and strong commitment to making a comeback which they demonstrate in strong work ethics and accountability, which can be of great benefit to any company. Additionally, women who have taken a career break often have a better work-life balance, which can lead to increased job satisfaction and decreased burnout.
Overcoming Hiring Challenges
One of the main challenges in hiring women with career breaks is addressing the concerns of gaps in the candidate's work history, or about the candidate's ability to adapt to the fast-paced environment of the modern workplace. However, it is important for employers to recognize that women with career breaks bring a wealth of unique experiences and skills to the table and that these can be of great benefit to the company.
When interviewing women with career breaks, it is important to focus on the candidate's skills and experiences, rather than the reasons for their career break. Employers should ask open-ended questions that allow candidates to showcase their strengths and abilities.
Additionally, it is important to have an inclusive and supportive onboarding process, which can help to ease the transition back into the workplace for women with career breaks, such as flexible work arrangements, mentorship programs, and professional development opportunities.
These can help women with career breaks to feel valued and supported in the workplace, and can also help to increase their confidence and success in their new role.
Additionally, companies can provide support for women who are balancing caregiving responsibilities, such as on-site childcare, flexible scheduling, and paid parental leave. By providing these support mechanisms, companies can help to retain valuable employees and build a more diverse and inclusive workplace.
Conclusion
From a unique skill set and diverse experiences to a fresh perspective and creativity, women with career breaks bring valuable contributions to the workplace. Furthermore, studies have shown that women with career breaks are highly motivated and committed employees, making them valuable assets to any company.
As a founder or entrepreneur, it is important to be open to considering candidates with career breaks, regardless of gender. By providing support mechanisms and inclusive practices, companies can retain valuable employees and build a stronger and more inclusive workplace culture.
