How to keep your career on track

1. If at all possible, plan way ahead. Think of the kind of job you want to go into at an early stage and research the kind of companies that are open to flexible working and don’t penalise those who opt for it.
2.Make sure you talk about flexible working options before you go on maternity leave, at least to discuss the possibilities. Before you speak to your manager, research all the possible permutations of flexible working and decide which works for you and your company. It might be that you have not considered things that make sense for both of you and mean you can make the most use of your particular skills.
3.Keep in touch while you are on maternity leave. You are allowed up to 10 Keeping in Touch Days during your maternity leave when you can come into the office to catch up on what has been going on. This helps make it easier when you return to work and means people at work don’t forget you.
4.Network with other people in your organisation who are in a similar position to you. They might have valuable advice you can learn from and together you will be in a stronger lobbying position.
5.If you work from home, make sure you have opportunities to catch up with colleagues, not just professionally but socially, for instance, by having a regular meeting at the office.
6.If you have had significant time off before you return to work, don’t undersell the skills and experience you have gained previously and don’t forget the skills you have gained through being a parent.
7.If you are taking time off, try to keep your hand in through voluntary or other work.
8.Use social networks such as LinkedIn to market yourself and your skills.
9.If you feel that your company is not encouraging you to progress, keep your eyes open for new opportunities. Don’t stay in a job you hate or that is holding you back if you can get out. The longer you stay, the more your confidence will ebb.
10. Take time to stand back and think about where you want your professional life to go. If necessary, get professional advice from a career coach who will explore your motivations and the possibilities open to you.

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