Sponsored Post

Why is it that we moms put ourselves last? I am including myself in this category. Whether it’s about our health, careers, friendships – we put kids, errands, even laundry ahead of taking a moment to breathe and focus on ourselves.  Yes, even laundry! Makes me feel like that proverbial hamster on a wheel.

When I had my first son, Jonah, my mom came to stay with us, which was a godsend. One of the first pieces of advice she shared was to feed yourself first before you feed the baby. You need sustenance, strength, energy, and clarity before you can offer it to anyone else. Common sense, but I needed this pointed out to me.

I followed her advice during this phase and promptly set it aside, jumped on the hamster wheel, and here we are today. I know it’s not just me. I see it in my circle of friends and now in my work with the many talented women I meet. Women who took a career break to nurture others – their children, their aging parents, their spouses etc. The thought of nurturing yourself and your dreams is put on the back burner. Until one day, when you set that intention to make a change and take one small step.  This could mean signing up for a yoga class or having a coffee date with a friend every Friday, or even scheduling 30 minutes with yourself to read. When it comes to your career, for many in our community, the one small step was coming to a Vermilion event or telling a friend that they want to get back to a career.

So, bringing this full circle for you and the next chapter of your career. What do you want in the next chapter of your career? Is it re-entering the paid workforce? Is it starting a business? Or perhaps, making a career change. Have you given it some thought and attention? And what have you one to achieve this goal?

As I tell my kids, you don’t have to have all the answers. But, it all starts with curiosity and setting an intention for yourself. Next? Surround yourself will people that will support your goals. Finally, take one small step, learn from it, and repeat.

Wherever you are in your journey, from just thinking about what to do, to career discovery or conducting an active job search – join us at the Art of Career Re-Entry Conference on March 29. We have designed a day of inspiration AND action just for you. Need more motivation? See all details here.

Remember, no one can do this for you, but you. I think it’s time to set the hamster free.

RSVP Here & Use this Special PROMO CODE to save 50% off: https://bit.ly/2IGvNkY

​Anju Kurian is a Westchester resident, former stay at home mom, and social entrepreneur. She, along with Anne-Barbara Lemmens co-founded Vermilion Talent based on their experiences in re-entering the workforce after a career break. Vermilion leads women to the next chapter of their career with confidence, inspiration, and happiness. Vermilion offers compelling content, coaching, community, and connections with companies.

Visit us at www.vermiliontalent.com
Curious about how we do what we do? Watch our video!

​We hear many stories of why women find themselves in the midst of a career break, ranging from the irresistible lure of motherhood, unexpected health issues, relocation, downsizing, to caring for elderly parents. People step out of their careers for many reasons, but few anticipate the struggles in re-entering the workforce. Regardless of the motivation for exiting or even re-entering the workforce, the struggle to get back in is universal.
 
Both my business partner, Anne-Barbara and I experienced this firsthand. I took time off from my career in management consulting to take care of my sons, while Anne-Barbara, an expat from the Netherlands, found herself in transition due to relocation.  We continue to hear from other moms on how overwhelming and isolating the re-entry process is.
 
So what did we do? We muddled through it, reconnected with contacts, read up on industry developments, and brushed up on technology changes.  What we realized is that there were new rules, redefining job search and career success.  Along the way, we discovered a few tips worth sharing:
 
Re-entry Tip 1: Be curious, share information, and collaborate with colleagues and employees.
The way we work has changed. Workplace dynamics have shifted where transparency and collaboration are valued over information hoarding and individual success.  Employers are looking for collaborators both in individual contributor and leadership roles.
 
Re-entry Tip 2: Dip your toes in the social pool and jump in.
A Linkedin profile is the bare minimum. You can go on from there to explore Twitter, Pinterest, Quora and other industry specific forums. Being “social” no longer means happy hour. You can no longer bury your head in the sand and avoid social media. Social media is here to stay and embracing it (even just for professional purposes) is critical in building your personal brand, establishing credibility, and expanding your network.
 
Re-entry Tip 3: Use the summary section of your resume to customize the resume for each job you apply for.
The way we look for jobs have changed. Long gone are the days of paper resumes on premium paper and cover letters. With 90% of resumes being submitted on-line, your shot at making a great first e-impression lies solely within the first few lines of your resume. 

Re-entry Tip 4:  Customize your resume with keywords from the job description.
The way we tailor our resumes for jobs has changed. It is no longer effective to create a custom cover letter to submit along with your resume. It goes into the “e-slush pile.” With more and more companies using Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS,) your resume must make it through the electronic filter before it ever reaches human hands. 

Re-entry Tip 5: Google yourself and make sure your search results reflect your professional identity.
The way employers vet potential candidates have changed. Often, after a 30-second resume scan, employers do their primary research. They go straight to Google, Facebook and LinkedIn. Any public information will form the next layer of your e-impression.  A professional LinkedIn profile, your profile picture, the number of connections, and recommendation you do (or don’t) have are deciding factors.
 
Re-entry Tip 6: Emphasize your inherent skill that you have honed over the years such as communication, professionalism, maturity, and emotional intelligence.
Being “older” can be an asset. With many baby boomers retiring, employers are looking for mature talent to take on leadership roles and adapt to working with the millennial workforce.  Our partner companies tell us they place value not only talent and functional skills, but also a portfolio of other “soft-skills.”
 
Re-entry Tip 7:  Our Talent 2.0 Program connects returning professionals with leading companies in the Westchester, Fairfield, and NY Counties.
Internships are not just for college kids. Facing tight labor supply and lack of diversity at leadership levels, companies are looking for unique ways to find talent. Many companies have in-house paid-returnship programs for returning career professionals. The successful completion of a paid “returnship” opportunities can lead to a permanent arrangement.

Re-entry Tip 8: Attend educational and networking events.
Our upcoming Career Re-Entry Roadshow is a great way to connect with other professionals. We will provide free information sessions on how we can help you jumpstart the next phase of your career.  
9/12- Career Re-Entry Roadshow - Rivertowns (Hastings-on-Hudson, NY)
9/20- Career Re-Entry Roadshow - Pelham, NY
9/21- Career Re-Entry Roadshow - Pound Ridge, NY

Our Success Stories Panel Discussion features success stories from women who have returned to work after a career break to inspire you and help you get started.
9/29- Success Stories: Returning to Work  After A Career Break - Rye, NY

About Vermilion Talent
Vermilion Talent is a social enterprise brought to life by the experiences of its founders, Anju Kurian & Anne-Barbara Lemmens in re-entering the workforce after a career break.  

After a career break to take her of her sons, in 2012, Anju went back to work as a management consultant. In 2015, Anne-Barbara, an expat from the Netherlands and mom of 2, arrived in the US ready to settle her family and get back to her career in management consulting.  They both noticed the same problem – many talented, experienced moms (professional women) were struggling to make the same transition.

Inspired by our own experiences, we started Vermilion Talent to create a guided approach to re-entering the workforce. We have the unique privilege of building a company that is changing the lives of candidates and influencing how companies view women who have taken a career break.  Our focus is to build confident leaders and help women to reclaim their professional lives. 

Vermilion Talent, in partnership with local companies, resource providers, and our partners, is the hub for career re-entry.  We have created a platform for talented, professional women to reclaim their careers.  

Connect with Vermillon Talent
Find more information about how Vermilion Talent is redefining the pathway to career re-entry, visit us at www.vermiliontalent.com. 
E-mail: [email protected].
Social Media: Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Linkedin & Twitter.