Every change is difficult in the beginning and going back to work can be extremely stressful. Especially if you have been on a long break, maternity leave, or if you’ve switched to a different career path.
An entirely new environment can be intimidating, not to mention the stress associated with new skills you need to acquire and the fear that you won’t be able to perform as well on the job. A coach can help reduce the stress of going back to work and make the transition more smooth.
Here are some of the ways a coach can help you overcome such a change.
They Provide Support and Encouragement
Going back to work can shake your confidence especially if you’ve been unemployed for a while. You may be doubting your skills, your ability to acquire new ones, meet the requirements, and fit in the company. The stress associated with the change can affect your health and your personal life.
A career coach will help you regain your self-confidence and realize your true worth. They will provide the support you need during the transition just like a friend or a family member would. They will help you deal with your insecurities and anxiety so that you can be your best self at your new job (or old one).
They Guide You Through Exploring Your Options
If you’ve decided to go back to work but you want to change your career path, you might be overwhelmed and don’t know where to start. How to find the right opportunities for you? What jobs are you qualified for?
A career coach can help you identify transferable skills, explore your options, and teach you how to approach the job search. If you’re looking for a job, they will tell you where to start. According to Upskill Coach, just because you were on a long leave doesn’t mean that you stopped acquiring and honing your skills.
For example, parenting teaches you great multi-tasking skills that you can use to your advantage at work. You may fail to realize this on your own but that is what a coach does, helps you recognize your strengths as well as your weaknesses.
They can also help you write an effective resume to attract the right offers. If you’re starting your job search, perhaps you’ve failed to check whether your resume is outdated. Refresh your curriculum vitae to include accurate information and the desired skills for the job you want. Career coaches know how to market your skills to make them attractive to potential employers. Remember that career planning is what they do for a living so you can trust them on this.
They Help Make an Assessment
Contrary to the popular opinion that you only need a business coach when you’re in desperate need of a job, a professional can help you with so many career-related things.
For example, if you just came back to work after a long leave and find that you don’t like the job anymore, it’s time for an assessment.
What changed? Have you ever really enjoyed your job? Is it a temporary feeling caused by the stress of coming back to work or has it always been so?
There’s no point in staying at a job where you feel unhappy because this will affect all aspects of your life. Perhaps it will be financially rewarding but the cost of enduring a job where you feel miserable at the very thought of going to the office makes no sense in the long run.
If you’re confused, you can discuss all these questions with a coach who will provide professional advice and direct you towards the right path.
They Provide Honest Feedback
While your family and friends can be an essential support network, there are many things they can’t or aren’t able to tell you. For example, they probably won’t be able to provide honest feedback, which is crucial for your progress.
Unlike family members or friends, career coaches can provide unbiased opinions and objective feedback that will actually help you advance in your career. A reality check might be just what you need.
They Help You Achieve Work-Life Balance
During your break, you had all day to dedicate to yourself, your family, your house chores, etc. You could manage your time the way you wanted to. Now that you’re going back to work, things will be a little different.
Achieving a work-life balance is challenging especially if you’ve been out of work for a long time. You don’t want to neglect your family but you also want to do well at your new job. Self-care is important and should not be neglected. You need to focus on yourself first in order to do an amazing job in the workplace.
But now that you’re back at the office 8 hours a day, this can be tricky.
Again, a coach can help you prioritize your tasks and organize your day so as to achieve that much-needed work-life balance. They will also hold you accountable and motivate you to move forward.
