Today before you can turn your neck one degree in any direction, you will likely encounter AI. While reading on your couch, or meeting with friends, you have been educated about the powers of Artificial Intelligence and how it will change the World as we know it. You have tried your hand at AI-based tools and have experienced emotions ranging from surprise to contempt, fear to joy. Whether you are wary of it, flirting, or considering a long-term arrangement, a relationship with AI is here to stay.
This writing, though, is not about AI. It is about you.
About the superpowers YOU, a woman on a career-break possesses. Those treasures that sometimes remain concealed beneath the hard rocks of your life experience. And the ones that will help you to meet new technologies with confidence and clarity.
Women returning to the workforce have abilities that only a wise human with experience can claim. At FlexiBees, we have placed women professionals in flexible careers across various functions and industries. From working with thousands of women like you, we know that apart from functional knowledge, you bring many unique life skills and strengths to your work. Here is a short list to jog your memory when you prepare for your return :)
Empathy and Emotional Intelligence:
Your work and experiences ( including your break) have brought you to where you are today. Your life experiences, especially have added something to you,, a maturity, and a perspective. And with it, a greater emotional intelligence.
Your past work skills of connecting with colleagues and stakeholders will continue to hold you in good stead as you resume working. Your empathy and emotional intelligence can additionally build trust and strong relationships. Time and again, we have seen great sales professionals emerging from career breaks, delivering great value to their clients, and being recognized and promoted for it. As they understand the needs of their customers, and respond to them as people first.
We can take the help of AI to create better tools and techniques for influencing, but connection-building with people is an innately human skill. One that many have excelled at, in a work-from-home environment.
Problem-solving and Critical thinking:
We know you bring a unique problem-solving approach that combines creativity, intuition, and adaptability. Years spent managing the pressure of work, and later the juggling act of parenting, navigating life challenges and even Covid, have honed your ability to think outside the box and develop innovative solutions to any problem. Problem-solving has become a part of your DNA.
As FlexiBees serves startup and enterprise clients who are problem solvers themselves, we have seen this jigsaw puzzle of "your skill" and "their need" blend together to make a powerful team.
Numerous marketers and digital marketers working via FlexiBees have contributed to their client's growth and media presence while devising creative solutions to marketing challenges. All the while working with the flexibility they need - working from home and/or part-time.
Collaboration and Communication:
Effective collaboration and communication are crucial in today's workplace. While numerous tools today can facilitate communication, and we will be better served to learn to harness their power, listening deeply and sincerely is a learned human skill perfected with practice.
We have seen project managers who returned to lead multi-geography teams, who managed intense delivery schedules, and were honored by the client in their company Town halls. Some went on to build full-time careers for themselves, working for International clients, from Tier 2 towns like Tirunelveli, on the backing of their superior remote communication and management skills. Career returnee women have mentored their teams, allowed their potential to flower, created an inclusive work environment for their clients via their HR roles, and boosted employee morale.
Did it need them to spend 3 hours commuting to prove facetime at the office? You guessed it, no. They did it, right from their homes.
Adaptability and Resilience:
In a constantly changing business landscape, adaptability and resilience are vital skills. Returning women often have to embrace large-scale changes and quickly learn new skills by virtue of compensating for the career gap.
We have seen many women transition careers working hard to change lanes, seeking free assignments and projects to gain experience and pursuing work with dogged determination. Our dedicated team members have placed Finance professionals who became niche content writers and HR professionals who became digital marketers. Adaptability for your own career, as well as adaptability of strategy, way of working and execution for clients, are things that career returnees like you have fully embraced.
If you set your mind to it, you will do it, even after a failure or two. Because, you know, the only failure is in stopping to grow.
FlexiBees Book Found Again recounts 20 Real stories of gumption, resilience and fortitude of career returnees and women who have found flexible work.
Work Ethic:
Independent research conducted on FlexiBees' clients revealed their faith in returning women because of their demonstrated work ethic. This validates your intention to work and your dedication to doing what it takes to make it work. From setting up systems that enable you to work, taking help, and being transparent about your projects and work schedules with your work stakeholders, you want to do right by this opportunity you have been given.
Your hunger to work is palpable, and your enthusiasm is contagious. This elevates your work and the contribution that you make to your team.
Returning woman. Your superpowers will get supercharged once you start seeing them. Owning them. And showcasing them.
Go Get-em, girl! The World is waiting for you.
Women interested in applying for part time and work from home jobs via FlexiBees may download the FlexiBees Mobile App at http://onelink.to/r9a8fp and Sign up giving their full details.
FlexiBees has recently published a Book - Found Again : Real Stories of Women, Work and Flexibility that showcases 20 Real Stories of women who have created their own flexible careers with a little help from FlexiBees. Buy the book here: https://www.flexibees.com/found-again-book.html
