How to use this crisis to get your career back on track

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Pull on your boots

Never let a good crisis go to waste

A famous phrase, often attributed to Winston Churchill.  Whether he did or didn’t utter those words, they definitely resonate right now.

At the Reignite Academy, the pandemic stopped us in our tracks.  For a while it felt as though we may have no future.  However, stepping back from the business for a while has given us perspective.  Whilst there are definitely some challenges ahead, we have also seen many opportunities.

After a lull over the summer, firms are beginning to hire again.  People always need lawyers.  And the firms we work with really do care about improving the representation of women at middle to senior levels.  They also care about addressing a lack of ethnic diversity and appreciate the fact that 35% of our candidates thus far have been from minority ethnic backgrounds.

As far as our own business is concerned, we too have learnt that we can be much more nimble.  We have often used Skype to do interviews but now we use Zoom to deliver training and coaching, which means we can access many more people at any one time.  Whilst we began purely by placing people into fee earning roles, we have expanded into non-fee earning roles such as PSLs, knowledge lawyers, risk and compliance.

So, far from shutting up shop, we are taking a leaf from our own book and reigniting the business.

Change unlocks the status quo

The thing about any massive change (and I think we can all agree we are seeing massive change all around us) is that all the “old ways” are unlocked. No one is sure what “normal” looks like any more. Whilst the uncertainty that this creates can be paralysing, for those prepared to take some risks and be creative, it also presents tremendous opportunity.

This is as true for individuals as it is for organisations.

New opportunities in the workplace

Few would argue that the workplace has changed beyond recognition. Many of these changes present opportunities for women who are seeking to return to work or get their careers back on track.  Specifically:

  1. Working from home is suddenly not only permissible, it’s now the “done thing” and anyone who says its impossible clearly has not been paying attention.
  2. People are revealing their human sides. Everyone’s joining Zoom or Teams from their living room, kitchen or home office. Those of us who are parents share a little moan about home schooling. Whatever our title or level of seniority we’re all in the same boat. And more likely to be sympathetic.
  3. It’s never been easier to contact people. No-one’s on a plane. Few people are in endless meetings. They pick up the phone.
  4. Fuddy duddy, stick in the mud organisations are suddenly getting flexible. It’s not just “this job can’t be done remotely” that’s being ditched “it has to be a full time” is also in jeopardy. And as they change their business models they need
  5. Budgets are tight. This can be a good thing. Firms are willing to use contractors, to take people onto temporary contracts, to use alternative suppliers, all of which present opportunities for those people who are not in the “full time, permanent job, traditional career labour market”.
  6. Diversity matters. It really does. The Black Lives Matter movement and events of the summer have made many organisations wake up to the need to stop with the rhetoric and get serious about making a difference to diversity, on all fronts.
  7. It’s worth the risk. What have you got to lose?

Practical advice to get your career back on track

All of this means, there are opportunities for those who are agile, brave and intrepid enough to seize them. My advice:

  • Remember, your next role need not be your final destination. It’s just a step in the right direction. Treat it as such.
  • Don’t over think it. As Richard Branson once said “Leap before you look”. How will you know if you don’t try.
  • Your technical skills will come back. If you’ve had some time out, it’s easy to sit at home worrying that they won’t. They will: by doing the work.
  • Pick up the phone. Phones were originally designed to talk to people. Talking to people is underrated. Talk to the people you know who can open doors or make connections. Tell them what you’re looking for. Ask for advice.
  • Be creative. “Work” doesn’t necessarily mean “a job”. There are all sorts of models for finding ways to get paid employment. Most sectors have new entrants using technology and alternative business models to disrupt the incumbents.
  • Whether it’s “I’ve been out too long”, “They’ll have me working all hours” or your views on what the “job” will look like, be prepared to ditch your assumptions. So much has changed. Don’t let your assumptions hold you back. Be intrepid, take a leap, what have you got to lose?

Follow the Reignite Academy on LinkedIn.  That’s where we’ll post news of any opportunities.  And as soon as you’re ready to go be sure to contact us to send us your CV and let us know what you’re looking for.

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